Books: The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher
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Isabel C. Byrum >> The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher
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When the voice of the tempter had spoken discouragingly on the way from Mr.
Kunz's, Edwin had felt no fear, but now a fear that caused him to tremble
crept over him. But when the voice in tender, loving tones said softly, "Do
not be afraid, for I am your friend," he turned with eagerness to listen.
"You want to be prepared for heaven," the voice continued. "Now,
tobacco-using is unbecoming and unclean in my eyes, and before you can get
on the highway that leads to heaven, you must stop using tobacco."
Until then Edwin had not been told by a living creature that tobacco was
not a food, or that it was unfit for the use of mankind, or unclean in the
sight of God; but as he listened to the words of his divine Guide and
Teacher, the great truth of the matter sank deep within his heart, and he
had no thought or desire to dispute them. Neither did he stop to think or
reason that his best friends Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Frank Kauffman, and Mr.
Kunz were all using tobacco. Instead he arose and, going to the mantel,
selected all his smoking-materials there, opened the grate, and dumped them
one and all upon the few living coals that were still smoldering among the
ashes. He also brought from his room in the large house a box of cigars,
some pipes and cigar-holders, and threw them in upon the other things.
When Edwin, all unconscious of the dense smoke and the strong odor that
were beginning to arise from the old-fashioned chimney, returned to his
place by the table, he resumed his former position on the bench and
endeavored to continue his meditation as it was before the revelation.
Outside the night was perfect. A bright moon looked down from its lofty
height among the stars and revealed the farmer repairing a place in the
fence-corner where the rails had been loosened. Scarcely had he finished
the task, when a glance from the hollow in which he was busy toward the
hill upon which his home was located, caused him to gasp and shudder with
fear. Then with his nose in the air he began to inhale and said, "Why, that
smells like tobacco-smoke." The time of night and the fact that the smoke
was coming in great volumes from the chimney of the summer-kitchen made him
think that the kitchen was on fire and that the tobacco on the mantel-shelf
was causing the smoke.
With anxious haste the excited old gentleman turned his steps toward the
house and hurried forward in that direction. A few minutes later Edwin's
surprize was no less than his employer's had been; for the latter,
breathing heavily and nearly exhausted from the exertion of climbing the
hill in such haste, threw open the door and rushed in. For the moment
neither spoke, and then after a curious glance first toward the mantel and
then at Edwin, who was still sitting calmly beside the table, Mr. Miller
hastened to the grate and, lifting the lid, gazed in wonder upon the heap
of burning tobacco.
That the old farmer was displeased and even vexed at what he saw could be
easily detected in his features. Seeing that only Edwin's belongings were
in the fire, he hastily demanded an explanation. Edwin replied that he had
destroyed the tobacco and cigars because he did not feel that they were fit
for him to use, but he said nothing about the manner in which he had
discovered the fact. "I put them in the fire," Edwin continued, "because I
did not want any one else to defile himself with what I could not use
myself." Then seeing that Mr. Miller was taking a few of the cigars from
the grate, he said, "If you take them out of the fire and use them, I shall
not be to blame, but I have no more use for tobacco, and I will not give to
any one else what I consider unfit to use myself."
To Edwin the use of tobacco had been a great source of comfort in his
lonely hours, and he had endeavored to secure for himself every little
convenience that would make its use more pleasant and cleanly. Aside from
his pipes and cigar-holders, he had provided himself with a self-lighting
match-safe for his vest-pocket, a self-closing rubber chewing-tobacco
pouch that kept the tobacco clean and moist, and other things that appealed
to his sense of cleanliness. His efforts had always been to do away with
the filthy part connected with its use. In fact, he had often been
commended for his neatness in regard to his tobacco; but when God said that
it was unclean and unfit for the use of any one who was seeking to be on
the highway to Heaven, he did not care for it at all. It was no trial to
give it up, and he was glad to part with everything connected with its use.
Edwin's example should have been a real rebuke to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, but
instead, they attributed his conduct to his ignorance and even made almost
unkind remarks about his unnecessary waste. But this couple should not
receive too much blame; for they, like Edwin, had never been taught that
the use of tobacco was anything that should be avoided. In their home life
they had all respect for Edwin, and in their efforts to help him in his
ignorance to understand their views of the Christian life they had been
honest and earnest.
Their displeasure at his destruction of his tobacco-supplies was due to the
fact that they had never heard that tobacco was injurious to their bodies
and not a food. In their minds Edwin's conduct was justly worthy of
criticism. Had they known that the pleasure derived from the use of tobacco
is like the sensation produced by scratching and rubbing the skin when one
has a skin-disease, they might have understood. If it were not for the
disease, no pleasure would result from the friction. Likewise, were it not
for the disease of the tobacco-appetite, the use of tobacco would sicken
instead of give pleasure. Tobacco contains a deadly poison. Its constant
use will in time injure both body and mind past repair. In many cases it
has been the direct cause of various diseases and insanity, and it may land
the soul in hell.
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust... to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the
flesh in the lust of uncleanness" (2 Pet. 2:9, 10).
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in
the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God." (Rom. 6:12, 13).
CHAPTER XVll
THE CAMP-MEETING
And many learned to trust the Lord
From precious truths that here were heard,
While sounded out God's precious Word
From pulpit and from altar too.
By hearing of its meaning true,
They learned to know that God would do
Just as his Holy Word had said,
In leading all that would be led.
--A. B. Gildersleeve.
Edwin was faithful to his promise regarding his employer's interests, and
at the end of the month the farm-work was under such good control that both
Mr. and Mrs. Miller had decided that they too could attend a part of the
meeting. Several times Edwin had visited his friend Mr. Kunz, and upon one
occasion he had noticed that where the roads crossed there was a large
advertisement It read:
CAMP-MEETING
AUGUST 31--SEPTEMBER 7
A series of religious open-air meetings will be
held on the
CAMP-GROUND AT MAPLE GROVE
Everybody invited. Come and bring your friends.
Camp-Meeting Committee.
But as he could not read the words, he was at a loss to understand what was
meant by the sign; but when his friend explained that it was a notice of
the camp-meeting of which he had been telling him, Edwin thought he
comprehended, and he felt that it was indeed a wonderful thing.
When at last the morning of the thirty-first arrived, everything about the
farm was in excellent condition to leave. Mrs. Miller brought Edwin his
clean clothes that she had so carefully mended, and said: "On the
camp-ground, Edwin, you will find a large boarding-tent. There you can buy
your meals, and there will be some place given you to sleep at night. Of
course, you can do as you like, but I wouldn't take along anything that I
didn't need, for bundles will only be in your way." So when Edwin set out
for the camp-ground, which was a distance of about five miles, he was
empty-handed.
The day was perfect, and Edwin, dressed in a neat suit of clothes, straw
hat, and colored shirt, appreciated it as such. The little birds and nature
had lost none of their charms for him in all the trying scenes through
which he had passed, but upon this occasion they were merely passing
thoughts, for his mind was upon the meeting and his purpose in going to it.
From his experiences in the prayer-meetings Edwin had learned that he could
not understand the words that were used in prayer, and he did not know why
this was so; consequently the thought was suggested to his mind that now
perhaps he would be unable to know when the operation through which he was
soon to pass would begin.
Dinner was just over when he reached the grounds, but although the
boarding-tent was pointed out to him by a man who was working hard to get
his tent-pole in position, Edwin did not go to ask whether there would be a
second table, partly from ignorance and partly because of his not being
very hungry. He was more anxious to examine the place where the meetings
were to be held. Mr. Kunz had given him a description of what to expect,
but he wanted to see it all for himself. He soon discovered the crude
structure that was to serve as a pulpit, and he found that it was just as
his friend had described it. The rows of seats, which were simply some
boards laid upon large blocks of wood, were also as he had expected to see
them. There were enough of these rude benches to accommodate a large
congregation. Only above the stand was there a covering, and Edwin wondered
what would happen in case of a storm, but this also was but a passing
thought.
Finding, by inquiring of a neighbor whom he happened to know and whose name
was James Hass, that the meeting-hour was close at hand, Edwin suddenly
realized that if he was to have an interpreter he must make haste in
finding one, and as Mr. Hass did not seem to have any special duties, he
asked the favor of him. After Edwin had explained that his object in coming
to the meeting was to be converted and that all he wanted of Mr. Hass was
that he inform him when to act, the two went at once and took their places
on the front row of seats very close to the pulpit, and there they waited
patiently while the rest of the people assembled. Judging that Mr. Hass
would be as anxious to help him as Edwin had himself always been to do kind
acts for others, he had no thought of doubting his interpreter's sincerity.
After the bell had rung the minister soon arrived, and the meeting was
begun.
The opening exercises were similar to those of the prayer-meetings that
Edwin had attended and were in the German language. The minister arose and
read as his text Titus 3:7: "That being justified by his grace, we should
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." As he talked upon the
hope of the righteous, his words would have been a great inspiration and
encouragement to Edwin could he have understood them. The speaker went into
detail regarding the sinful state of mankind and endeavored to make
perfectly clear why it was necessary that a person should see his lost
condition before he could become a Christian by being born again, but of
course Edwin did not receive the least light.
At the close of the sermon the minister said, "If any one desires to be
converted and become an heir to these promises, let him stand."
"It's time to act now," Mr. Hass whispered in Edwin's ear, not knowing that
Edwin had thus far understood nothing of the sermon; but he explained his
meaning by adding. "You must stand up and let him know that you want to be
converted."
Without a moment's hesitation Edwin arose, and while he waited to be told
what next to do, his heart was bounding with joy and bright anticipation,
for he was positive that the wonderful operation of which he had been so
long dreaming had at last actually commenced. He was sure that they were
beginning with him all right, for they were commencing with his case on the
very first day of the meeting. And, because he supposed that it would
require the entire season of the camp-meeting to complete the work, he was
very grateful to his interpreter for telling him what to do.
While standing thus in front of the audience, he turned about to see if
there were any in the congregation that he knew, and to his surprize he
discovered in one of the back seats his mother and a few others with whom
he had been acquainted. With a thrill of satisfaction he again faced the
minister, wondering if they too had come to the meeting to get converted.
He did not know that his mother had lately taken up a "faith," as she
called it, and by her old associates was being termed religious. But he
believed that she must have had some good intention in coming to so sacred
a place and that she would approve of the step he had taken.
He was still standing, facing the minister and wondering what the next step
would be for him to take, when his interpreter explained that he must be
seated. Edwin was greatly disappointed, for he desired that since the work
had commenced it might go right on to its completion. Still he made no
complaint, believing that the minister knew his business and would be
faithful to him.
As Edwin sat down beside Mr. Hass, feeling that everything would come out
all right in the end, he did not see the expression of disgust that
shadowed his mother's face. Feeling that he was disgracing her by his
ignorance, she would have enjoyed punishing him as she was in the habit of
doing in his childhood, but this was beyond her power.
It was but a few minutes after Edwin had taken his seat until the meeting
was dismissed, and the people scattered out over the grounds, a few to the
pump, some to the boarding-house entrance, and others to their private
tents. Edwin followed the largest crowd, for Mr. Hass had left him as soon
as the meeting was dismissed, and he went to the boarding-house for his
supper. He was very hungry, having had no dinner. After the meal was ended,
he walked about over the grounds until it was time for the evening service.
Very glad he was when he heard the meeting-bell ringing as Mr. Kunz had
explained it would, and, finding his interpreter, he was soon again seated
in front of the pulpit.
The evening's discourse was given in the English language, but it was no
more enlightening to Edwin than the afternoon's sermon had been; still, by
his expression of reverence and awe the congregation was not aware of this
fact. At the close of the service Edwin was surprized to see that the
entire congregation arose and remained standing as he had done in the
afternoon. By this he supposed that all who were there had come to be
converted. Then an altar-call was made, and Edwin's interpreter whispered,
"That means to go forward."
Now, if Edwin had not already been in front of the entire audience, he
would have gone forward; but supposing that the call was for some one else,
he remained standing as he had done in the afternoon, but he made no move
toward the altar. Still the singing continued and no one came forward, and
as the minister's manner became more and more earnest, all eyes were turned
toward him. Edwin became sorely troubled; for he feared that he was not
doing all that he should do to get the best results, and he did not want to
hinder the operation.
He saw the long vacant bench in front of the pulpit, but he had no way of
knowing that "going forward" meant to kneel in prayer before the altar
where the spiritual workers might pray with and help him to understand what
it meant to be converted. For this ignorance he was misjudged, many
supposing that he was stubborn and unwilling to bow before the altar in so
humble a manner.
Noticing that Mr. Hass had occasionally spoken to him, no one else thought
it necessary to do so. It seemed that night that the singing and
invitations were continued an unusually long time, for Edwin's case was
already creating an interest. The fact that he was a subject for prayer and
the anxiety pictured upon his face made many long to see him move out and
get an experience of salvation. And Edwin, feeling that something was
expected of him and that he was losing much valuable time, became more
anxious and concerned as the moments crept by.
It was another opportunity for his divine Teacher to act, and suddenly he
seemed to feel the pressure of a strong hand placed upon his shoulder, and
by an unseen power he was forced downward upon his knees directly in front
of the altar. Although he could not have told how or why he was there, he
was sure that it was the right thing for him to do, and immediately his
worry was gone. Thus, unconsciously and mysteriously he was being led one
step at a time, but always he was unable to know just what thing to do
next.
Seeing Edwin kneeling at the altar, the minister soon came and, kneeling
beside him, began to ask various questions, but to all that he said he
received no answer, and he wondered at Edwin's silence. Then again Edwin
was misjudged. Not knowing that it was because the young man did not
understand the language, the minister arose, leaving Edwin still kneeling
at the altar, and dismissed the meeting.
When Edwin realized that the people were scattering out over the grounds,
he too arose from the altar and followed them. Then he remembered that Mrs.
Miller had said that some place would be found for him to sleep, and as Mr.
Meyer, one of Mr. Miller's neighbors, appeared among the crowd, Edwin made
his wants known, and the kind old gentleman hastened to show him a good bed
that he had prepared in his covered wagon. It had been made, he told Edwin,
for another brother, but he could share it if he liked.
Edwin lost no time in getting into the place assigned him, but before sleep
would come to his eyes, he had carefully reviewed in his mind all the
events of the day. Charging his mind with the place where he had left off
in the evening, he was determined to commence again right there at the very
first opportunity that was offered him, and he was confident that he would
somehow discover just what was the next best thing to do. Still he could
not help wondering just what that step would be. He was still pondering
upon these things when sleep came to his relief, and it was not until the
early songs of the little birds peeled merrily forth through the grove the
following morning that he awoke from his dreams.
Edwin was soon dressed and out upon the grounds, feeling thankful indeed
that he was still permitted to live and enter upon another day of life.
Only a few people were in sight, and he began to wonder how long it would
be before breakfast would be ready. Then he thought he could hear the sound
of singing such as he had heard in the meetings, and he listened carefully.
"I can not afford," he told himself, "to miss anything that pertains to the
meeting." He found that the sound was coming from the tent near where he
had spent the night, and, walking up to it, he quickly lifted the flap that
served as a door.
The tent was owned by Mr. Meyer, as was the wagon in which Edwin had spent
the night, and the occupants of the tent, which were Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman,
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, and the Meyers, were having their morning worship
together. To Edwin the little scene that met his gaze was a pleasant
surprize; for he at once connected it with the prayer-meetings that had
been held at the residence of his employer, as he recognized some of the
people who had been at the meeting and whose countenances and earnestness
in prayer he would never forget.
The worship was over, and the song to which Edwin had listened had been
intended for the closing-song. Then they were to separate and each family
go to their own tent for the morning meal. Edwin's appearance in the
doorway changed their plans, and Mrs. Meyer, a dear old lady who had felt a
deep interest in Edwin from the time she had first seen him in the
prayer-meeting, arose and, offering her chair to Edwin, bade him enter and
be seated, while she found a seat for herself on the foot of a temporary
bed. Edwin needed no second invitation, for Mrs. Meyer had spoken in his
mother-tongue, and he could understand what she said. Then she said, "Let
us once more kneel down and pray," and they all knelt down, Edwin following
the others' example.
As they prayed, Edwin once more watched their faces and carefully listened
to every word, but not a word could he understand. He knew that the people
were praying, but he did not know that they were praying for him.
So deeply was Edwin impressed with the earnestness of these people and so
sincerely did he wish to join them in prayer, that he decided to watch
carefully for small words that he could say regardless of their meaning and
to repeat such words as a prayer for himself.
"If I take some words from a real prayer, they will be a part of a prayer,
and it will not be as though I had learned the words from a book or from
some person."
Thus, in his ignorance he listened and reasoned, and when he had found
three small words, meaningless in themselves, he began to repeat them in
audible tones. The fact revealed to Edwin while working among the stones in
the field of grass that God had made a provision whereby man could be able
in this life to understand upon which road he was traveling toward eternity
had never left him, and although he had not as yet discovered anything at
all about God's great plan of salvation, he was still certain that as soon
as he was converted he would discover all the things he was longing to
know. At that moment it seemed to Edwin that the only way to unravel
Frank's definition of prayer and what it meant to be converted was to use
some words from a real prayer until he could form a prayer of his own, and
for this reason he had selected the three little words.
God, as a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12),
saw the sincerity of Edwin's purpose, and the little unintelligible words
reached his throne as though they had been an eloquent prayer, and the more
he prayed the more desperately in earnest did he become.
Suddenly Edwin felt that his prayer must have taken hold on God, for a
burden new and strange and different from anything that he had ever
experienced semed to settle down upon him, and as it grew heavier and
heavier, he felt that he was being crushed to the earth. Then a feeling of
unworthiness that even the earth should hold him up and keep him from
instant destruction in hell until God in his mercy would deliver him swept
over him, and in his desperate condition he cried out until his voice was
heard all over the camp-ground, and the people in crowds came to discover,
if possible, what was taking place in Meyer's tent.
Then a strange and wonderful thing occurred. Heaven in all its beauty
seemed to open to his view, and as the great burden rolled away he sprang
to his feet, and while leaping about the tent he shouted for joy and
thanked God because he was at last sure that he was on the road to heaven.
When at last Edwin could think about his surroundings, he saw that both
"flaps" of the tent were open wide and that Mrs. Kauffman, Frank's mother,
was earnestly preaching salvation from sin to an immense congregation. The
latter had been drawn together by the sound of Edwin's agonizing cries, and
although Edwin could not understand what she was saying, for she was
speaking in the German language, he was sure that she was telling them of
God's wonderful power and goodness to him. And as he looked about him, he
wondered why the people and trees had never appeared so beautiful to him
before.
When the curiosity of the crowd had been satisfied and Edwin was once more
on the outside of the tent, he was surprized to find that all nature was
beautified and that the songs of the birds were sweeter and more thrilling
than he had ever known them to be. In recovering from his state of rapture,
he realized that only one half day of the camp-meeting was over and that he
not only was converted but had all the remainder of the meeting before him.
It was his blessed privilege to enjoy the remainder of the time with all
the rest of God's good people.
Such had been his breakfast, and when the meeting-bell began to ring, Edwin
did not look for his interpreter; for he felt that since he had received
that for which he had come to the meeting, it was no longer necessary to
trouble Mr. Hass.
The all-seeing Father not only had understood Edwin's ignorance and taught
him his need, but had helped him to know how to approach his throne in an
acceptable manner.
"For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that
hath no helper ... and precious shall their blood be in his sight" (Psa.
72:12, 13).
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