In recent years He has been pleased to open many doors for the publishing of His saving message; and in drawing the attention of the reader to one of these we shall take the liberty of personifying a gospel tract by regarding it as a gospel preacher.
(The vital necessity of the soundness of a gospel tract, and of the Spirit's direction in its use, are in this paper pre-supposed.)
We may say at once that as this "preacher" has no fixed place of preaching, and as his field of service is wherever he is sent (even if not wherever he is wanted), he may very properly be called a "traveling preacher."
One thing, however, has to be borne in mind: he is so powerless in himself that, wherever he goes, he has to be carried. That is, he is absolutely subject to the will of another.
But take him where there is an opening for his message, and he will deliver it on the spot. It is all the same to him whether it is in the poorest slum, or in some stately parlor; by the bedside, or the seaside; in the town, or in the country; by campfire, or in barracks; in the store, or on the farm; by road, by rail, or by air! If there is anyone to listen, no matter where, he is "always ready."
Some preachers have a very decided preference for rich and fashionable audiences. Some are only at home with intellectual hearers who can appreciate a well-studied discourse—brilliant, logical, and mentally entertaining. Others prefer preaching to the poor and to the less learned, these being generally more open and less critical.
Others, again, have no such choice. So long as their congregation is a large one, they seem satisfied. The news they proclaim is so unspeakably blessed, and opportunities for proclaiming so few, that they specially rejoice in getting many to hear it at one time.
But this preacher has no particular preference. He is bound to no special grade of society; he makes choice of no particular class, or creed, or shade of opinion. And as to the question of numbers-few or many at one time—it does not affect him in the least.
Then some preachers are timid and diffident, especially in speaking to individuals. Not so with this one. His unassuming fearlessness impresses you as being a most desirable quality, in any gospel witness. For example, he would be as ready to look a member of the royal family in the face and tell him of another "Crowned Head," as to tell the poorest beggar in the gutter of One who is "rich unto all that call upon Him" (Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9); Rom. 10:1212For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12)).
He would as fearlessly tell a popular modern theologian of the serious consequences of preaching "any other gospel" than the one brought from heaven by the Holy Ghost, as tell a contrite sinner of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God; or tell him that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Gal. 1:8, 98But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8‑9); 1 Pet. 1:18, 1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19); Luke 15:7, 107I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)).
Then some preachers occasionally consider themselves "off duty!" This one never does. As long as Jesus is pleased to wait at God's right hand, he knows no "time-limit" whatever! "In season, out of season," he is always ready. Midday or midnight, it does not matter. It is never too early for his services; and never too late. "Always abounding in the work of the Lord," might well be said of him. "Patient continuance" characterizes him. Unfailing readiness, untiring constancy may justly be claimed for him. He will patiently repeat the same message to the same individual the same day, as often as anyone can possibly find time to listen.
Some preachers feel greatly annoyed when the patience of one of their hearers gets exhausted by the length of a sermon, and leaves before it is half finished. Our "traveling preacher" takes offense at no such slight! If only a few words are listened to, and even these opposed by bitter expressions of unmeasured and undeserved anger, he will never answer back. God alone is able "to give repentance" to one who opposes the truth of the gospel. Should such repentance be brought about (and how often it has been), our preacher is as free to calmly repeat his message, as if no affront had ever been offered!
On the other hand, if you should think his message too important to keep from some acquaintance, who is as vitally concerned in it as yourself, and you would like him to share it, this "preacher" will wait, without complaining, until you find your friend and give him the chance of hearing.
Should it further strike you that his message would be a true comfort, or a timely warning, to some loved one over the seas, thousands of miles away, you will find this preacher instantly ready to be sent, no matter where! Nor will the expense of sending him be any serious difficulty; for one of the smallest coins will be sufficient to cover the cost of his journey, even to the other side of the globe.
On such errands he does not wait to be accredited by any human organization. He is as ready to be made use of by the little girl of nine or ten, who might only receive a few pennies weekly, and who delights to devote part of her "spending money" in making known the Savior's love to others, as by the greatest potentate, or the richest millionaire on earth.
One word in conclusion as to the results of his mission. Not until all the Lord's laborers are called into their Master's presence in glory, and the soul-history of each saved one clearly brought to light, will it be fully known how much this "traveling preacher" has been used of God to the awakening of the careless., the restoration of the wandering, the confirmation and comfort of the feeble in faith and the downcast in spirit. Yet what refreshing results has "the God of all encouragement" allowed to come to light even here below. Take a few of the many instances that have come before the writer: The keeper of a country tavern, in turning out a sack of chips and shavings brought from a carpenter's shop close by, discovered a gospel tract among the fragments. The few words read at a glance arrested his attention. He read the whole, was led to the Savior, and gave up his tavern. He read the tract to an organ grinder who stayed with him for the night, and who seemed glad to hear it. This stranger was found frozen to death on the road before the next night; so that our so-called "traveling preacher" was the last he listened to!
A young man was in great distress of soul. He went privately to the minister; but his spiritual adviser thought it was no case for his services, and advised him to see a doctor. The medical man, finding nothing seriously wrong with his body, advised him to try some place of amusement to divert his mind. Shrinking from entering a theater, he went to a religious center where he expected to obtain spiritual help, but only to hear some comic discussion going on! Distressed, and disheartened almost to despair, he left the place. On his way home he found, a gospel tract lying in the road, and to his peace and joy he found in it the very news his heart was craving for!
A Christian man had carried a gospel tract so long in his pocket that it had become too much soiled; he thought to give it away. Not wishing to destroy it, he stuck it one day on a thorn in the roadside hedge. One evening shortly afterward a man, for whom he had been some time specially praying, unexpectedly turned up at the weekly prayer meeting. At the end of the meeting this Christian found that God had both heard his prayer and used his act of service. This very man had found the tract in the hedge, and the Spirit of God had made good use of it, for he had found the Savior through it.
A gospel tract was sent to a lady in India. Feeling no interest in such things, she pushed it into a drawer out of sight. Shortly afterward she was summoned to England by the sickness of a relative. On board the vessel another copy of the same gospel tract was placed in her hand. She read it, and was converted to God. Her husband, left behind in India, went casually one day to seek for something in the drawer just referred to. There he discovered the very tract his wife had slighted, and through it, by God's mercy, discovered the Savior his own soul needed.
This couple learned, by letter, the happy news of each other; but they never met on earth again. When they next meet, it will be where sowers and reapers, in the presence of "the Lord of the harvest," shall rejoice together.
"God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Cor. 1:2727But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27). And He has graciously been pleased to honor so weak an instrument as the one we have been describing. And, what is more, blessed be His holy name forever, He is doing so still.
No preacher on earth has been granted such an "open door" as this "traveling preacher." He gets an entrance and a hearing where many could not if they would; and where many others would not if they could.
Having sought to draw attention to this remarkable "door" which, in the providence of God, is now so widely open, we leave it with the reader, counting on the Lord's blessing. By His love alone can ours be effectually drawn forth in any service for His pleasure. It is certain that the looked-for end is very manifestly approaching.
May we who truly love our Lord Jesus Christ, and "love His appearing," be found in ever increasing appreciation of His personal blessedness. Then to make known God's precious gospel concerning Him to those who are destitute of its full comfort will be our ever increasing delight.
That His own heart is in such service in this "day of good tidings," there can be no shadow of doubt. Shall we "hold our peace"? (2 Kings 7: 9).