GOD SUPPLIES EXPENSES

An Experience in Philadelphia -- Preachers Who Allow Themselves to be Called "Doctor" -- God's Way of Raising Expenses

My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19.

     We had just closed a good meeting in Brooklyn, N. Y., and were on our way to western Pennsylvania, but by request stopped over Sabbath in Philadelphia. Three services for the day had been announced in a certain church where the "Great Evangelist from Atlanta, Ga.," was to preach. The first thing we did was to take exception (in a gentle way) to the bulletin, especially the "Great." It is this accursed thing that fattens Self in little six by seven evangelists. Preachers who allow themselves to be addressed "Doctor," or "D. D.," could effectually stop it if they wanted to do so.

     The church was nearly three miles from the place of entertainment, but rather than encourage men to run or ride street cars on the Lord's Day, we started early and walked. The services were well attended and a number were definitely helped of God. Advantage was taken of the good crowds to raise money for the winter's fuel, a nice sum being collected each time. Not a word was said about helping to bear my traveling expenses. I said to myself, "Well, Hallelujah! This will give me another occasion to let God, in His own way, pay the bills." No one invited me home, no hotel was near, and I was too weary to walk back those three miles. The people had nearly all left, when an old brother and his wife, who lived but a short distance from the church, invited me home with them. I accepted and began contemplating a good rest after a hard day's work.

     It was about 11 p, m. when I retired and soon was wrapped in the peaceful arms of slumber. But I was suddenly awakened to a full realization that there were too many in the same bed. With one bound a lamp was seized and lighted, which revealed scores of those fellows that hate the light because their deeds are evil. After doing my duty freely, I suspicioned that perhaps there was still a reserve force, so kept the light burning and lay uncovered, but no sooner had I again fallen into sweet repose than a flank movement was made on the side where light did not shine.

     This was too much and though it was 1 o'clock, I arose and, after dressing, went downstairs and longed for day. Even the lounge whereon I sat seemed to be infected. Presently my thoughts ran thus: "I would rather walk out here for Jesus than ride a Sunday street car. Yes, and preach the Gospel thrice without a cent or a 'Thank you!' More than this, be left to stand around in an embarrassing mood wondering where I should sleep; all of this is in the contract. But it is hardly fair to suffer a night attack like this, especially when one, at the best, has none too much blood to spare."

     At last, after weary hours, daylight began to dawn and I made preparations for a speedy exit. Of course I must thank the dear old people for their hospitality. So, after a short prayer, I was about to shake hands, when the old sister (who had poor sight, and doubtless this accounted for some things), suddenly paused and said, "Wait, Brother S____!" She started upstairs and upon returning put into my hand a "widow's mite," wrapped in a piece of paper. I did not look at it then, but thanked her and thought to myself, "Well, the dear old soul has given me twenty-five cents." After I had gone down the street toward the car line I felt curious to know how much she had given, and behold, it was a five-dollar bill! I paused, looked back and said, "I feel ashamed of that short prayer and have a mind to go back and pray it over."

     That was a lifelong lesson in trusting God to furnish expenses from the most unexpected sources. The church people did not do their duty, so God had to move that dear old saint to help grease car wheels. But that was not all -- she carried off the blessing that they might have had.

     Another incident: I had been engaged to assist in a camp for ten days, sometimes preaching three times a day. Good and frequent collections were taken, and when I left the treasurer handed me ten dollars -- hardly enough to pay for my ticket. I said to myself, "Bless God, I am not after money, yet a preacher cannot live on wind." I went off feeling sweet and rejoicing over one more occasion to prove a miracle-working God. At the very next camp seventy-five dollars were put into my hand, though I was there but three days. I would rather trust God to see me through than do as many evangelists, fix a price, or worse make a fuss because I do not get about so much.

     When God sees that a committee is limited in means, He excuses them (and the evangelist likewise ought to do so) and leads others who are more able to pay the bills. But when they deliberately fail to do what they could, then He transfers the blessing and reward to where it properly belongs. "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." -- Prov. 11:24.

     "Here then I doubt no more,

     But in his pleasure rest;

     Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power,

     Engage to make me blest."