49 Sermon Illustrations on Witnessing

At a missionary meeting some young people were discussing the text, "Ye are the salt of the earth." One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of "salt" in this verse. "Salt imparts a desirable flavor," said one. "Salt preserves from decay," another suggested. Then at last a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. "Salt creates thirst," she said, and there was a sudden hush over the room. Everyone was thinking, "Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?" Does Your Behavior Make Others Behave? In a cemetery, a little white stone marked the grave of a dear little girl. On the stone were chiseled these words: A child of whom her playmates said, "It was easier to be good when she was with us." It was one of the most beautiful epitaphs ever heard of.

A good example rings louder than any bell to toll people to church. An African prince, after interpreting the missionary's message, said, "I can't read this Book myself," referring to the Bible, "but I believe the words of it because I have watched the missionaries for two years. They have told me no lies about anything else; so when they tell me this Book is God's Word, I believe it. I believe that Jesus died for me, and I am going to follow this Jesus." Not Easily Provoked Some sailors who were working on a ship in harbor noticed an elderly man engaged in his business on the pier. One sailor laughingly said to another, "You can't make that old man angry no matter what you do to him." The sailor who was addressed immediately took this as a challenge, and snatching up a bucket of dirty salt water ran up to the old man and dashed its contents all over him. The old man backed away at this surprise attack and said in a mild voice, "Young man, the Savior says, 'Whoso shall offend one of these ... that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the depths of the sea.' Now, since I am one of these who do believe in Him, will He not consider that you have very much offended me?" The sailor turned away quite ashamed and perplexed at the spirit that the injured Christian exhibited. The picture of the old man wet and miserable looking at him with mingled pity and displeasure stayed with him and led him to go back and ask him to forgive him and pray for him. The elderly Christian was very ready to do both, and not long afterward the sailor became a Christian. There is reason to believe that many sinners might be converted from the error of their ways if they were to meet such a spirit, as the sailor did, in every professed Christian whom they might insult or abuse. An Effective Ministry A girl of another faith than Christianity worked in a store during the holiday season. She met with an accident and was taken to a hospital. There she made the acquaintance of a Christian nurse whose loving ministry and gentle goodness soon won her friendship. One day the girl asked the nurse, "Is it true that you are a Christian?" Upon being answered in the affirmative she replied, "You are so kind and polite and gentle, I didn't think you could be a Christian; but then the only Christians I've met are the Christmas shoppers." The Living Testimony There was once a merchant who had been a very worldly, godless man. He was finally gloriously converted. On being asked what had been especially the means of his conversion, he replied, "The example of one of my clerks." He went on to say, "This young man was one whose religion was in his life rather than in his tongue. He did not bless God and speak evil of his fellowmen. When I uttered an oath, he never reproved me; but I could see it deeply pained him. When I fell into a fit of anger and behaved in a violent manner, though he spoke no word to that effect, I could see how painful the scene was to him. My respect for him led me to restrain myself in his presence and gradually to break off both these habits. In fact, this man, though he never spoke a word to me on the subject of religion, exercised an influence for good over me wielded by no other human being. To him, under God, I am indebted more than to any other for the hope of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ in which I now rejoice."

A Christian family moving into a new community wanted to keep their lawn well mowed so they might be a good testimony in the neighborhood. However, they mowed the lawn so early in the day they disturbed the neighbors. When this was called to their attention, instead of feeling hurt and offended, they made their apologies and promised to cut the grass at a more reasonable hour. What might have developed into a neighborhood feud became instead an evidence of their good will.

A highwayman once stopped John Wesley and demanded his money or his life. Wesley, after giving him the money, said, "Let me speak one word to you; the time may come when you will regret the course of life in which you are now engaged. Remember this, 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.'" No more was said, and they parted. Many years after, as Wesley was going out of a church in which he had been preaching, a stranger introduced himself, and asked Wesley if he remembered being waylaid at such a time. He said he recollected it. "I was that man," said the stranger, "and that single verse you quoted on that occasion was the means of a total change in my life and habits. I have long since been in the practice of attending the house of God and of giving attention to His Word, and trust that I am a Christian."

The year slipped by and time was spent, And all the good things that I meant To do were left undone because... I had no time to stop and pause; But rushed about, went here and there, Did this and that, was everywhere. I had no time to meditate On things worthwhile. No time to wait Upon the Lord and hear Him say, "Well done, My child, you have shown the way." And so I wonder, after all, When life is o'er and I am called To meet my Savior in the sky, Where saints live on and never die, If I can find one soul I have won To Christ by some small deed I have done. Or will I hang my head and whine, "Forgive me, God, I had no time"?

A young man entered training as an art student in London. During those years he thought he would draw a portrait of Christ. He was disappointed. In trying to reveal tenderness and sympathy, he portrayed only weakness, and he tore up the portrait. He tried again later but failed to satisfy himself. War broke out, and his work came to an end. He went to camp and was finally sent to France and to the front. He was billeted in a French chateau in a room with nine other men. When he went to bed the first night he was distressed to see over the beds of the other fellows horrible drawings from some of the vulgar papers that were circulated in France in those days. He was tempted impetuously to pull them down, but remembered that everyone had a perfect right to put on his wall space anything he liked, so instead he planned what he should do with his space. The only spare time he had was in the night, and his drawing material was a plain postcard and a pencil. He determined to try again to draw a head of Christ. He worked upon his drawing for several nights with only a candle to give him light; and when it was finished, he nervously pinned it on his wall. He did not know what the men would say or do when they saw it in the morning. They simply looked at it, said nothing and went out. In a few days all the other pictures were pulled down and only his drawing remained. He had exalted the risen Christ in testimony to those around him.

There it was-a tiny rosebud thrown in a heap with other uprooted and discarded rosebushes. Out of the tangled mass, one long stem pushed its way upward, thrusting forth its one tiny bud. The rosebushes had been thrown away by a disgruntled homeowner who couldn't seem to get them to grow well. As the man passed by the heap, he noticed the little rosebud, but he went on his way. The next day he noticed that the bud still seemed to have life and was trying to bloom. Donning gloves, he retrieved the bush on which that one bud clung tenaciously to life. He planted the bush and was rewarded several days later when a beautiful rose bloomed. Before long the whole bush came alive. In fact that one bush outbloomed and outgrew other rosebushes the man planted later. Each year the bush seemed to have one especially long stem with an exquisite red rose on it. Because one tiny rosebud was unwilling to die, the whole bush was saved. In the same way, whole families have been won to the Savior because one child came to know Him first. May we never lose hope for the children who need to know about Jesus and His love for them! A Lesson From the Palm Tree One can readily recall the words of Exodus 15:27 which reads, "And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters." Think what a wonderful sight a grove of palms must be to the wary and thirsty traveler on the desert! These trees not only mean shelter from the blistering sun, but water to slake the thirst. Palms grow where there is water, and they send down their trap roots to water. Thus this tree is never without its testimony. Those familiar with this most famous of all Bible trees know that it Bears Fruit in Old Age. The palm never stops bearing fruit, even though it grows to a very old age. Psalms 92:14 states, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age." The tree is never on the retired list. Too many of us are retired Christians. We get to the place where we imagine we have done our share, so someone else can take over and carry on the work. Recall the spirit of the old pioneers of Tombstone, who were willing to die with their boots on, working and toiling to the very last. Just as the palm grows for the ages, so should it be with all the children of God. We are not shrubs, but trees. "He shall be like a tree"-that which abides. Who among us is not familiar with the fact that the Branches Are Symbols of Victory. In Revelation 7:9, the Apostle John caught the vision of the mighty multitude which no man could number, standing "before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." There were they who had come out of great tribulation, and victory was theirs in the presence of their Lord. It was a time of rejoicing. Are we symbols of victory? Do men look at us and see some blessed evidence of the power of God operative in our lives? Or must they behold evidences of defeat? God forbid! I exhort you, be a palm-tree Christian, the praise and glory of His grace. What a blessing we can be to others by living the upright palm tree life!

Tom Carter, the evangelist, told this in one of his messages: While he was holding meetings in a Pennsylvania town, a young man who had formerly lived next door to the parsonage committed a murder. The whole community was stirred. Mr. Carter and the pastor obtained permission to visit the young man in his cell. After telling him his own story of conversion in a prison, Mr. Carter and the pastor succeeded in leading him to Christ. Then the newly-saved man addressed the pastor and sadly said, "To think I lived next door to you for months and you never told me anything about Jesus until I came here! If you only had, I probably never would have become a murderer." Are we overlooking any close-by opportunities? No One Ever Asked Me In St. Louis years ago, a Christian was transacting business with a lawyer. As the Christian businessman turned to go, he said, "I have often wanted to ask you a question, but I have been a coward." "Why," replied the lawyer, "I did not think you were afraid of anything. What is the question?" The businessman then asked the lawyer pointblank, "Sir, why are you not a Christian?" The lawyer hung his head. "Is there not something in the Bible that says no drunkard shall have any part in the Kingdom of God. You know my weakness." "You have not answered my question," answered the Christian. "I am asking why are you not a Christian." "Well," answered the lawyer, "I cannot recall that anyone ever asked me such a question before. Of this I am sure-nobody ever told me how to become one." The Christian businessman then read passages from the Bible and suggested simply, "Let's get down and pray." Kneeling, the lawyer prayed first: "O Lord, you know that I am a slave to drink. This morning this businessman, your servant, has shown me the way to Thee. Oh, God, break the power of this evil habit in my life." Later, the lawyer with the "besetting sin" testified that "God broke that power of drink instantly." Do you know who that lawyer was? Dr. C. L. Scofield, famous editor of the Scofield Reference Bible!

Paul gave this admonition in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." A scientist once conducted an interesting experiment in his laboratory. From the ceiling he suspended an iron ball weighing a ton, attaching it to a cable strong enough to sustain its weight. Beside the huge iron ball, he hung a small sphere made of cork attached to a thread fastened to the ceiling. An electrical mechanism kept the little cork ball swinging slowly, pendulum-like, against the iron weight. At length, after days of unceasing swinging back and forth on the part of the cork, the iron ball weighing a ton began to swing very gently to and fro in harmony with the little cork ball. Gradually, its motion increased until it was prescribing a wide arc, all because a tiny cork ball had kept persistently knocking against its massive side, day in and day out. Our effort to influence people to love God, accept Christ as Savior, and live under the direction of the Holy Spirit should be as gentle as the tapping of the cork ball, but also we should be persistent and faithful. May we be so.

All news is not beautiful. Or had you noticed? But bad news is good news for Christians, in a sense, because we see in it opportunities to turn things around. Or, as Jesus said, to be lights in a dark world. Christians can do more than curse the darkness. We can light a candle. We can change the world.

In the movies and on television, previews show coming attractions. Designed to create interest, the previews always show the most dynamic and dramatic parts, such as the chase scenes, love scenes, and fight scenes in the show. The whole point of the previews is to whet our appetites for the upcoming programs. Someday a big show will come to town, and Jesus will be the star. It will be a worldwide performance, and the cast will be sensational. But until then, He has left previews of coming attractions in the world. He has left His church to provide clips of the major production that is to come. Unfortunately, some of the clips are so bad that people have little interest in attending the major performance. The church has been so weak in demonstrating the power and wonder of the main feature that fewer and fewer people have interest in it. It is time for God's people-the church-to start showing previews that are worth watching: previews to the world that will prompt the questions, "Where can I buy a ticket for the show?" Then we can respond, "No purchase is necessary. We are giving the tickets away. The price has already been paid."

When John Broadus was sixteen he accepted Christ as his Savior and at once began to introduce others to his new-found Friend. His first convert was a school friend. These two lived most of their lives in the same city, Broadus a professor in the university, the other a truck-driver. Broadus said that whenever they met during all those years his friend touched his cap as they passed and said, "Thank you, John, thank you." "I know just what he will say when I meet him coming down the golden street of heaven," said Broadus. "It will be just what he said this morning, 'Thank you, John, thank you.' " A Witness Who Came Too Late Far up the Amazon River, a Baptist missionary was using a flannelgraph to aid her in telling a group of school children about Jesus. As she talked, an elderly man with stooped shoulders and gray hair joined the children. He listened with rapt attention as the missionary told the story of God's grace as it is revealed in Christ. After the children were dismissed, the old man came up to the missionary with this question: "May I ask, Madam, if this interesting and intriguing story is true?" "Of course," the missionary said, "it is in the Word of God." With countenance and voice revealing his doubt, the old gentleman said, "This is the first time in my life that I have ever heard that one must give his life to Jesus to have forgiveness from sin and to have life with God forever." Then with a note of finality he concluded, "This story cannot be true or else someone would have come before now to tell it. I am an old man. My parents lived their lives and died without ever having heard this message. It cannot be true or someone would have come sooner." Although she tried hard, the missionary could not convince the old gentleman of this truth from God's Word. Turning to make his way back into the darkness of the jungle and the darkness of sin, he kept repeating the words, "It cannot be true; it cannot be true, or someone would have come sooner." The Christian's Walk St. Francis said one day to one of the young monks, "Let us go down into the town and preach." They passed through the streets and returned to the monastery without having said a word. "You have forgotten, father," said the young man, "that we went down to the town to preach." "My son," Francis replied, "we have preached. We were preaching as we walked. We have been seen by many: our behavior has been noticed; it was thus that we preached. It is no use, my son, to walk anywhere to preach unless we preach everywhere as we walk." "Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us play our part nobly, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1). Not Ashamed of Christ A young man got up to give his testimony for Christ in an open air meeting. Not being accustomed to speaking in public, he stammered a good deal at first. An atheist who came by shouted at him, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself standing and talking like that!" "You're right," the young man replied. "I am ashamed of myself, but I'm not ashamed of Christ."

When Paul went to Rome, every morning a new soldier of the Praetorian guard was chained to him, until each Praetorian guardsman had Paul under his custody. People might have said, "What a pity that a powerful preacher like Paul should have an audience of only one man a day, and a different one every day at that." But Paul could say, "God has enabled me to preach the gospel to the whole Praetorian guard." Who knows how much the conversion of pagans in Rome may be attributed to Paul's being chained to the soldiers of the Praetorian guard?

In the business of fishing for men, it is not one's skill or fine equipment that produces results; it is the power of the Holy Spirit. A fisherman who had all the equipment that the best sporting goods store could sell him was having no success. Seeing a country lad with a stick and a bent pin for a hook, he smiled condescendingly, then did a double take. On the bank beside the boy lay a fine string of trout. "How is it that I can't catch any?" the man inquired. "Because you don't keep yourself out of sight," the boy replied. That's the secret of fishing for men as well as trout. Preach Christ and Him crucified, and send the people away talking about Him instead of praising you.

A woman who came to know Christ as her Savior returned home full of joy-the unique gladness that overflows the heart of a repentant sinner. After a few weeks, she expressed a desire to leave the community in which she lived because it was so sinful. When her pastor heard this, he said with some severity, "How would you like it if the city removed all the lights from the dirty, dangerous streets and left lights only in the good neighborhoods where no crimes are committed? Didn't Christ say, 'Ye are the light of the world'?" (Matthew 5:14). The woman accepted the rebuke, and some time later said to her pastor, "Now there are two lights that shine in our street." She had led a soul to Christ. The Reason for Happiness In one of his books, Archdeacon Wilson tells a significant story. Some of the best and ablest of the students at a women's Christian college started a class to teach the poorest men in a neglected suburb. They were fired by the noblest impulse-to give themselves to work for their unfortunate brothers. After some months of teaching elementary subjects, they asked the men whether there was anything in particular they wanted to hear more about. There was silence, and then a low whisper was heard from among them. One of the women went up to find out who had spoken. "What was it you wished especially to hear about?" she asked. "Could you tell us something about the Lord Jesus Christ?" asked one of the men. These men, as they looked upon these college students, did not covet their money, their education or their social position, but longed for that which made them what they were, Jesus Christ. This is what the world should be impelled to crave as they look upon us-not the things about us, or the lack of them, as the cause of our happiness-but rather the Lord Jesus Christ.

The best argument for Christianity is a consistent Christian life. There is no argument against the silent eloquence of holiness. Actually, a lighthouse building would be dangerous but for the light it sheds abroad, and so it is with us. We may be lighthouses without light. Ships can break themselves on the rock. It is not merely what we say, or what we do, but what we are that matters. That is the witness that is convincing. The greatest thing about us is often our unconscious influence. 2 Corinthians 4:11 says, "that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." "Manifest" is a word meaning "brilliantly seen." We accomplish more by our radiations than by our exhortations. May God make us luminous Christians. That's what the light of Christ does for us. Have you ever put a candle within an alabaster or onyx vase? This is commonly done in Egypt. When a light is put inside, the whole thing becomes luminous. That's exactly what happens when Jesus Christ comes into our hearts. We become bright, luminous. Other people can find their way to God through the light we shed abroad.

Even today, in this so-called advanced state of civilization, we hear of brave soldiers of the cross who lay their lives on the line when they bear a fearless testimony for Christ. Dear personal friends of mine, Costas Makris and his wife Alki, were Greek missionaries to Indonesia. As Costas labored in the jungles, more and more natives were converted and then baptized. The chief became so disturbed about his people turning to Christ, especially the young people, that he decided to do away with Costas. He lined up his spearmen in front of this dedicated young missionary. In the distance Costas' wife and three small sons stood watching their husband and father about to be executed for the cause of Christ. How would you feel in their place? But the face of this missionary shone with a heavenly glory that puzzled these savage people. How could a man face death with a smile? Of course, his wife and many others must have been praying. As the men lifted their spears for the kill, the chief called out "Stop!" He walked up to Costas, embraced him, and told him that a man who could face death with such courage and with such a smile on his face had something that they themselves needed. The World Needs Light Exactly what does the Lord mean by "mourning," as we find it in the second Beatitude? (Matthew 5:4) It is not just shedding tears or inflicting physical harm on ourselves. Church history tells us of a group of men called the Anchorites who lived in the fourth century. They dwelt in solitude, fasted, and injured their bodies. The nearer they could bring themselves to the level of the animals the better pleased they were. One sect of Anchorites actually grazed with the common herds in the fields of Mesopotamia, and they were hence called boskoi, or "shepherds." They acquired a great reputation for holiness because of their mournful attitude toward life. One of the most famous of these monks was Simeon Stylites (395-451a.d.), so called from his standing for years on the top of a column sixty feet high until his muscles became rigid. Some of these hermits hung weights on their bodies; others kept themselves in cages; all endeavored to make themselves holy through being miserable. The motive of many of these men may have been truly honorable, a desire to escape from the vices of the great cities. But the greater the corruption of society, the more need for holy men and women to live in that society. The world can only become darker by the withdrawing of its lights and more corrupt through the removing of the salt scattered over it.

There is an inscription on a highway plaque in a small Minnesota town which reads, "On September 1, 1894, a forest fire swept over this area and 450 people lost their lives." As a person reads this sign, he cannot help asking himself, "What do you suppose started that fire?" Along the highways throughout our national forests we see signs urging tourists to be careful with fires. Each has a stern warning that a single match carelessly thrown away can start a conflagration. One match seems insignificant, but think of its tremendous potential. One Christian can be a radiant witness for his Master if he will only resolve to do so and dedicate his life to soul-winning.

On a Friday morning an eager young man from Stanford University stood before Louis Janin seeking part-time employment. "All I need right now," said Janin, "is a typist." "I'll take the job," said the young man, "but I can't come back until next Tuesday." On Tuesday he reported for duty. "Why couldn't you come back before today?" Janin wanted to know. "Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn to use it," was the unexpected answer. That quickly-prepared typist was Herbert Hoover. Do you know of a place where there is almost no witness for Christ at all? Learn the job that will take you there. No Idler King Antigonus, when he had not seen Cleanthes, the philosopher, for a long time, said to him, "Do you continue to grind (referring to the occupation by which he supported himself)?" "Yes, sir," replied the philosopher, "I still grind; that I do to gain my living, and not to depart from philosophy."

"Hard speeches have an evil influence in controversy, and do exasperate rather than convince. The dog that followeth the game with barking and bawling loseth the prey; and there is not a more likely way to undermine the truth than an unseemly defence of it. Satans mightily gratified, if men had eyes to see it, with the ill managing of God's cause." This lesson is a needful one. Zealots are apt to mistake hard words for arguments. The more in earnest we are, the more are we tempted to speak bitterly, and to overlook the better side of our opponents' cause. Many who think with us applaud us most for those very utterances which deserve the censure of the wise; and this foolish commendation is apt to egg us on in the same unprofitable direction. They would be more judicious if, while approving our zeal, they hinted that we might use a sweeter method and be none the less strong. We hope as we grow older to be able to hunt more quietly, with surer scent but with less barking. Certainly, as we grow in grace we shall more carefully distinguish between holy ardour which is kindled by the Spirit, and carnal heat, which is the wild-fire of unrenewed nature. God grant that as we grow prudent we may not also become lukewarm; else we may gain one way and lose another. We are poor creatures, for when we try to avoid an evil we generally swing like a pendulum to the opposite quarter, and commit another folly. The middle point, the golden mean of virtue, we do not readily reach.

A wealthy and fashionable young lady gave a large party, and prefaced her invitations with, "No dancing." But, at an early hour, a "set" was formed; and a young lady, recently converted, was asked to play for them. She went to the piano, played a tender interlude, and, accompanied by a friend, sang with thrilling effect, "I would not live alway; I ask not to stay." The dancers took a few steps, but abandoned it in dismay; one of the gayest of them exclaiming, "That's not the right tune to dance by." The song closed, the player and all those who had been lured in by false pretences retired.

Every man is a missionary now and forever, for good or for evil, whether he intends or designs it or not. He may be a blot, radiating his dark influence outward to the very circumference of society; or he may be a blessing, spreading benediction over the length and breadth of the world: but a blank he cannot be. There are no moral blanks; there are no neutral characters. We are either the sower that sows and corrupts, or the light that splendidly illuminates, and the salt that silently operates; but, being dead or alive, every man speaks. Dr. Chalmers.

The Rev. Mr. W., now a Missionary at the Sandwich Islands, a short time before he left this country, took passage from New York to New Haven, in a packet. In the evening a company of fellow passengers, who were quite profane, gathered round a table on which was the only light burning in the cabin, and soon became deeply engaged in gambling. Mr. W., after reflecting some time on the best means of reproving them, drew a Bible from his trunk, and politely requested that he might have a seat at the same table for the purpose of reading. The sight of the Bible at once stopped their swearing; and after gambling in total silence about ten minutes, they all left the table and went upon deck! thus evincing that the silent reproofs of a good man, with the Bible in his hand, are too loud and too pointed for the guilty consciences of gamblers to endure.

### GENDERSITY.

with the exception of the women and children, to be assembled together in one place, and to be surrounded with armed soldiers. Every one was in the greatest fear, conscious how much they had injured him, and expecting every moment to be put to death. It is not surprising, that they were overwhelmed with joy and admiration, when they heard him with a magnanimity honorable to human nature, thus address them:—"I wish to convince you, O Athenians, how ungenerously you have treated me; for it was not to an enemy that your assistance was refused, but to a prince who loved you, who still loves you, and who wishes to revenge himself only by granting your pardon, and being still your friend. Return to your own homes; while you have been here my soldiers have been filling your houses with provisions."

A little boy, belonging to a Sabbath school in London, having occasion every Sunday to go through a certain court, observed a shop always open for the sale of goods. Having been taught the duty of sanctifying the Lord's day, he was grieved at its profanation, and for some time seriously considered if it was possible for him to do any thing to prevent it. At length he determined on leaving a tract, "ON THE LORD'S DAY," as he passed by. On the next Sabbath, coming the same way, he observed that the shop was shut up. He stopped, and pondered whether this could be the effect of the tract he had left. He ventured to knock gently at the door; when a woman within, thinking it was a customer, answered aloud, "You cannot have any thing; we don't sell on the Sunday." The little boy still begged for admittance, encouraged by what he had heard, when the woman recollecting his voice, opened the door, and said, "Come in, my dear little fellow: it was you who left the tract here last Sabbath against Sabbath breaking, and it frightened me so, that I did not dare to keep my shop open any longer; and I am determined never to do so again while I live."

The king of the island of Toobow, one of the Friendly Islands, avowed an attachment to Christianity. In the early part of 1823, he went on board a British vessel, to pay a visit to the captain and unconsciously conveyed a very forcible practical reproof to the party. He sat down at the captain's table to partake of some refreshment; though food was placed before him, he made a very observable pause; and when asked why he did not begin, he replied that he was waiting till a blessing had been asked on their food. The reproof was felt; and the party were ashamed at being rebuked by a man whose intellectual attainments they considered far inferior to their own. They rose, and the king gave thanks previously to their commencing the repast.

# 330. Social and Public Prayer.