A CITY MISSIONARY placed a quarter under a book while speaking to a large audience of children, and said, “Whosoever believeth let him come and take it.”
He waited; they were all “whosoevers,” but only one was “whosoever believeth”; a little ragged chap who went up, took it and said, “Thank you, sir.”
“What is your name?” asked the missionary.
“Cecil Smithers.”
“I did not say Cecil Smithers could have the quarter.”
“No, sir,” said the half-frightened little boy, “but you did say ‘whosoever,’ and that means me,”
Many there are who rejoice in the width of meaning which “whosoever” bears. It makes no conditions. It throws the door open to anyone who wishes to enter.
ML-05/19/1935