"Do you men over there know what a sceptre is?"
"Never heard nothin' of that 'ere sort of article," was the reply, after some deliberation.
As the question evidently perplexed many of the customers, the visitor smiled, and addressing the landlord, said, "If I can't circulate your bills for you, I will make good use of them by acquainting your customers with the full meaning of your sign. Well, you all know that a crown is a kind of golden cap set with jewels and set upon the head of kings. Now a sceptre is a golden stick, about so long (showing the length with his hands), and is a badge of kingly authority with which to govern and to show mercy. I have seen the Queen's sceptre in the Tower, and its top is richly ornamented and studded with precious stones. In this Book (producing the pocket Bible) there are beautiful things about the sceptre, and if you like I will read you two short passages. 'All the king's servants do know, that whosoever shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live.' 'And the King held out to Esther the golden sceptre which was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.'" Then closing the Bible, he continued, "And now, landlord, I have to tell you that the crown and sceptre brought me here. After the Lord Jesus died to save us, He rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. He is there crowned King of kings, and He has the sceptre of righteousness and mercy in His hand. He holds out that golden stick to each of you sinful men. By faith in Him you can touch it and be saved;" and then placing several tracts upon the bar, he stepped towards the door. He however turned back as an Irish labourer, who was standing with several of his countrymen, exclaimed,--
"Och, sure and it's the rail truth; and it's meself that will do it, as I niver did that, and I'm intirely wretched."
This was uttered with deep feeling, and a gesture of prayerful uplooking which showed that the comprehension of the beautiful, that charm of the Irish character, had caused the poor labourer to understand the lovely truth of an enthroned and pardoning Redeemer. He was invited to leave with the visitor, and they stood for some time in the street conversing about the love of God in Christ Jesus. The man stated that he was from Tipperary, and a good Catholic, but that he had often got drunk and had injured several persons. When ill, by an accident he had met with in his work, he was an inmate of Guy's Hospital for some weeks. When there, a gentleman used to read out of the Bible to a man in the next bed, and the man was very happy, though he did not belong to the true faith, as he was always speaking of Jesus, and never prayed to the saints. Since then he had felt unhappy about his sins, though he often went to mass and confession. The way of salvation was simply explained to him, and his address was taken, with the promise of a call. A few days after, his room in a rookery called Grey's Buildings, was entered. His wife, who expected the visitor, exclaimed, "In troth and it's your honour; and wasn't it Mick that towld me of your honour, and it's himself that has been praying Jesus to howld out the golden stick to him." While they were speaking Mick came in, and greeted his friend with real Irish feeling; and then they sat before the fire and conversed about the lovingkindness of Him who is mighty to save. As the blessed result, the poor Irishman was led to understand the way of salvation, and by faith to touch the sceptre of Infinite Mercy. Some months passed before he had courage to enter a Protestant church, and then he was in company with his friend, whom he met by appointment. He for some minutes lingered outside, and then entered with a rush. After that his attendance was regular; but he found it necessary to leave his lodgings, as his conversion became known to the neighbours, and he received several unpleasant visits from the priest. He had two boys whom he sent to a Protestant school, though opposed by his wife. His acquaintance was kept up for several years, and he used to speak with joy about the golden stick, and the knowledge it gave him of the Saviour.