“‘He is in danger, and I must warn him,’ replied he; and knocked louder than ever.
“Some time afterwards I went that way again, and there still stood the man, knocking, knocking, knocking. ‘Well, sir,’ said I, ‘your perseverance is the most remarkable I ever saw! How long do you mean to stop?’
“‘Till I can make him hear,’ was his answer; and he knocked again.
“Said I, ‘He wants for no good thing. He has a fine farm, and flocks, and herds, and stack-yards, and barns.’
“‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘for the Lord is kind to the unthankful, and the evil.’
“Then he knocked again, and I went on my way, wondering at the goodness, and patience of this man.
“Again I was in those parts. It was very cold weather. There was an east wind blowing, and the sleety rain fell. It was getting dark, too, and the pleasantest place, as you all know, at such a time, is the fireside. As I came by the farm-house I saw the candle-light shining through the windows, and the smoke of a good fire coming out of the chimney. But there was still the man outside—knocking, knocking! And as I looked at him I saw that his hands, and feet were bare, and bleeding, and his visage as that of one marred with sorrow. My heart was very sad for him, and I said, ‘Sir, you had better not stand any longer at that hard man’s door. Let me advise you to go over the way to the poor widow. She has many children, and she works for her daily bread; but she will make you welcome.’
“‘I know her,’ he said. ‘I am with her continually; her door is ever open to me, for the Lord is the husband of the widow, and the father of the fatherless. She is in bed with her little children.’
“‘Then go,’ I replied, ‘to the blacksmith’s yonder. I see the cheerful blaze of his smithy; he works early, and late. His wife is a kind-hearted woman. They will treat you like a prince.’
“He answered solemnly, ‘I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’