MANY years ago a gentleman was returning home on horseback one dark wet night, and when he reached the toll-gate near his house, he found that it was closed. So he shouted out with all his might to the man in the toll-house to open the gate, and a sleepy voice replied, "Coming, sir." After waiting a few minutes he called out again to the man, and heard him say as before, "Coming, sir." The rain was soaking him through, but the man did not come. Again and again he shouted, but each time he got the same sleepy reply, "Coming, sir." At last he got down from his horse and opened the toll-house door. What was his surprise to find the old man fast asleep by the fireside. He gave him a good shaking; this woke the old man up, who rubbed his eyes and looked very astonished. "Why did you keep me waiting all this time in the rain You answered me and kept saying, `Coming, sir,' but you did not come." "Did I, sir? " replied the old man, "I am very sorry, sir, but I get so used to saying 'Coming ' that I must have said it in my sleep." — See that you really hear and come to Jesus without delay.
Have I long in sin been sleeping,
Long been slighting, grieving Thee?
Has the world my heart been keeping?
Oh, forgive and rescue me.
Even me, even me.
Saving others, oh, save me.
W. J. W.