A THORN WITH SEVERAL ROSES

     A number of years ago I was invited to a large camp meeting. My name appeared with others as one of the principal speakers. But, shortly before the date, some one objected to my assisting, on the ground that I was an extremist on lines of "dress, purity and diet," and hence would "ditch the meeting." Accordingly, my call was canceled. This was a piercing thorn and hurt, but I said nothing. Better do this than do as one preacher did, demand full pay for the date in which he was unemployed. Later, when the camp was in session I was trying to open up new work in a wicked city. I had curtained off a corner in the back of an old store, where I slept upon a straw tick. Rats, cats, and soot were plentiful. While I was trying to sleep one night, old Beelzebub drew near and whispered, "Now you see where you might be, in a big camp meeting with thousands to preach to had you not been so fanatical about little things." This snarling accusation continued until I arose and wrote a letter to the head man saying, "Give my love to all the workers and tell them I am fasting and praying that God will give you a great meeting. I enclose ten dollars toward expenses." Say. I needed that money, but this certainly routed Satan and oh, what a season I had in that old dirty building.

     In a few days I received a beautiful letter saying, "You certainly show a lovely spirit. After we canceled your call, now you not only pray for us but send money. We hardly feel right about accepting it." Well, how did it turn out? I grew in grace and eventually was invited to that same camp, not only once but several times; they frequently say to me now, "You always have a big welcome." The sad part of it was that those who kept me out the first time were themselves dropped. It pays to "let patience have her perfect work" and wait God's time for vindication.