Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1877 — “Brought In by a Smile.” [ARTICLE]

“Brought In by a Smile.”

A London minister said to a brother clergyman, one Monday morning: ‘ ‘ Seven persons were received into my church yesteiilay, and they were all brought in by a^mile.” “ Brought in. by a 6mile!” echoed the astonished listener; “ what do you mean ?” “ I will explain. Several months ago, as I passed a certain house on my way to church, I saw, held in the arms of its nurse, a beautiful infant. As it fi.xed its large eyes on me I smiled, and the sweet child returned the smile. The next Sabbath the babe was again before the winand again I gave it a smile; and this time, as before, it gave back ah answering smile. The third Sabbath I looked up at the wihdow as I' passed, and now the babe smiled down on me, this time I threw to the pretty prattler a kiss. Instantly one little hand was extended, and a kiss thrown back to me. And so it came to pass that I learned to for the baby on my way to eharch; and asthe weeks went by I noticed that the nurse and the baby were not aleae. - Other members of the family pressed to the window to see the gentleman who had always a smile for the* household pet. “ One Saibbath, as I passed, two children, a boy and a girl, stood at the window, besiae the baby. That morning the father and mother had said to these children : * Make yourselves ready for church, for we think that the gentleman who always smiles to the baby 4a a minister. When he passes, do you follow him and see where he preaches.’ The children were quite willing to follow the suggestion. of their parents < and after I uad passed, the door opened and the children stepped uftem the paveinqut, and kept near me from strfeet to street, until I entered my own church, where they followed me, and seats were given them. “ When they reached home they sought their parents, mid exclaimed, eagerly: ‘He is a minister, and we found his church, and he preachefd a beautiful sermon this morning. You must goand bear him next Sabbath. ; To persuade the parents was not difficult, and, guided by their children, they found, their way to church. They, too, were pleased, and other members of the household were induced to come to the house of God. God blessed to them my ministry, and seven members of this household have been led to give their hearts to Jesus, and to unite with the people of <lod; and I repeat what I before said to you, that the£ were brought in by a Smile.” ; No one is too poor, too full of labor and care to gtve a smile and a kind word; and the loving Sayipr makes use of instruments so simple to Wing souls into His kingdom.— Ufirititian at Work.