MR. EWART GLADSTONE, once Prime Minister of England, was a Christian and had a tender heart.
A man who made a living sweeping the street crossing was ill in bed and a friend came to see him. He asked the sweeper if he had had any other visitors.
“O yes,” he replied, “Mr. Gladstone came to see me!”
“What?” his friend asked in astonishment. “Do you mean Mr. Gladstone, the Prime Minister?”
“O yes,” answered the sweeper; “I have known him for a long time. He has always had a kind word for me when he has passed my crossing. When I was not there, he missed me. He asked the man who was taking my place where I lived, and he called to see me.”
“What did he do?” asked his friend.
“Oh he read the Bible and prayed with me,” replied the sick man.
A little kindness goes a long way. In bringing the Lord and His Word before the poor sweeper, Mr. Gladstone had brought much happiness to his heart.
We are told in Philippians 2:3-113Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:3‑11): “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
ML-12/18/1966