Another way in which we may do this is—by our efforts. This means by what we say and do to show that we love him, and to try to bring others to do so too. We find many illustrations of the way in which this may be done.
“Preaching in the Hayfield.” A good, earnest minister of the gospel was riding one day past a hayfield. A sudden shower was coming up. He saw a farmer, who never went to church, sending off in haste for a horse to draw his hay in before the rain came. The minister stopped and offered his horse to do the work. It was declined; but the minister insisted, and pulling off his coat, unhitched his horse and went to work helping the farmer to load the hay. They got in several loads, and when the last load was in the barn, and the rain came pouring down, the farmer drew out his pocket book, and said:
“How much do I owe you, sir, for your help?”
“Oh, nothing,” said he, “nothing at all.”
But the farmer insisted on paying him for his work.
“Well, my friend,” said the minister, “did you ever hear an Irishman preach?”
“No,” said the farmer.
“Well, you come next Sunday, and hear me preach, and we’ll call it even.”
On the Road to Emmaus