Some time ago a company of men were waiting in a public hall, and to wile away the time they began to sing popular songs. Among them was a christian who would not join in the singing of his unsaved companions. Seeing this, one man leaned over and said, " Can't you sing? " " Oh, yes " said our friend, " but only what my mother used to teach me." A shout of laughter went round the room, and he was asked, " What is that? " " Listen," he said, and then he sang to the tune of " St. Peter " the well known words—
" How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds
And drives away his fear."
A look of surprise was seen on the faces of the men and some of them joined in the singing. The christian, with a face full of joy showed his delight in the theme-that peerless Name-its sweetness was very real to him.
Again he sang-
" It makes the wounded spirit whole,
It calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest."
The fire of that song seemed to stir up the emotions of those men, their voices increasing in volume, the christian entering into all the wondrous love of Him Who " healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psa. 147: 3.
Once more the glory and sweetness of that Name filled the room as the words rang out-
" Blest Name! the rock on which we build,
Our shield and hiding-place;
Our never-failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace."
The singer, conscious that his feet were on the Rock, and that he was hidden in the cleft of that Rock, was enjoying communion with his Lord, and praise and worship seemed to flow out as he continued to sing—
" Jesus! our Savior, Shepherd, Friend,
Thou Prophet, Priest and King;
Our Lord, our Life, our Way, our Enid,
Accept the praise we bring?'
The presence of that blessed Person seemed to be very real-the Savior Who died to save us, the Shepherd Who sought and found us, the Friend Who never leaves us, the Prophet Who unfolds all the wonders of God's love, the Priest Who ever lives to make intercession for us, the King of glory, with Whom His own shall dwell forever.
The next verse was sung in a subdued voice—
" Weak is the effort of our heart,
And cold our warmest thought;
But when we see Thee as Thou art,
We'll praise Thee as we ought."
This seemed almost too much for the men as they realized how fully the christian entered into the words he sang. The last verse rang out loud and clear—
" Till then we would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath;
And triumph in Thy blessed Name
Which quells the power of death."
The song finished; there was a tense silence for some moments. Then one, a professional singer, rose and stretched out his hand to the christian, saying, " Shake hands, sir. I am not religious, but I do admire a man who has the courage of his convictions." This gave our friend a good opportunity to tell out the glad tidings of salvation. One man present who was a christian, said to the singer afterward, " How did you do it? I should have been terrified." " I do not think you would " he replied, " if you thought of the Lord Jesus, Who He is and what He has done for us; you would feel as if you must speak of Him."
Dear fellow-believer, let us ask ourselves what we are doing with the opportunities which the Lord gives us to skew to others that we belong to Him? We may not be called on to witness for Him in public, but if we are in the enjoyment of His love we shall be constrained to speak of Him. Surely we can tell of the One Who is our Savior, Shepherd, Friend, and point the unsaved to Him Who not only can save them from sin and its power, but can fully satisfy the longings of their hearts.