BRIERS

    "And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee and thou dost dwell among scorpions."

     Briers are not as large and severe as thorns, and yet I knew a good man who received a few scratches on his hand which resulted in blood-poison and-death. While preaching in San Francisco recently, I received an anonymous letter from a man in the audience who denounced me because I did not wear a beard. He certainly did his duty in that letter. The main difference between him and me, however, was that I could not raise a nice beard, while he could, but he dyed his a jet-black, yet failed to do a good job and left streaks of gray here and there. The next day, in the same meeting, I was giving a Bible reading and, being weary, sat down, whereupon I heard a man say in a shrill German brogue, "Don't cross your legs! Don't cross your legs!!" He not only considered it wrong to sit with crossed legs, but also to wear socks. In each case, these men were without joy or burden for souls. But -- this was in California.

     Another case, in South Carolina. I was preaching at a large camp, with fairly good success. I was getting many compliments when God kindly sent, or permitted, a man to speak bluntly to me, saying, "I don't like your preaching!" I looked at him for a moment then replied, "I don't blame you a bit, for I don't like it myself." With this he pulled in his horns and we became close friends. Had I snapped him off, I could never have helped him.

     On another occasion a No-Sect preacher tried to convince me that I should renounce all "man-made organizations" and join the "Saints," or "Church of God. I listened attentively, then asked a few questions, and because I did not fall into line quickly he became enraged and, coming directly in front of me with both hands in the air, shrieked, "I command the sect-devil to come out of you!" When he had ceased raving I quietly remarked, "Brother, after this when you cast out devils, please do not get mad while you are doing it." The poor fellow killed his influence with those who witnessed the scene. It pays to be courteous and so well saved that during a debate or contradiction one can keep his poise and-peace.