| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 17 |
Page 4 |
In one of Miss Procter’s poems is a legend of a monk who preached with great power, pouring forth eloquent words from a glowing heart,–
And the flame spread–in every soul that heard,
Sorrow and love and good resolve awoke.
A poor lay brother, ignorant and old, in humility thanked God that he had heard such words. The monk prayed that the glory might be God’s alone, saying that while his hands had sown the seed, it was the divine blessing that had made his words bring light and love to those who heard them. So he thanked God that his strength had wrought so mightily that sinful hearts had been melted by his pleading–
So prayed the monk; when suddenly he heard
An angel speaking thus: “Know, oh my son,
Thy words had all been vain, but hearts were stirred,
And saints were edified, and sinners won,
By his, the poor lay brother’s, humble aid,
Who sat upon the pulpit stairs and prayed.”
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