A Preacher's Parable

A celebrated local preacher, generally known as Billy Bray, was once preaching with great effect to a large congregation, principally miners. In that neighbourhood there were two mines, one very prosperous and the other quite the reverse, for the work was hard and the wages low. He represented himself as working at that mine, but on the "pay-day" going to the prosperous one for his wages. But had he not been at work at the other mine, the manager inquired. He had, but he liked the wages at the good mine better. He pleaded very earnestly, but in vain. He was dismissed at last with the remark, from which there was no appeal, that he must come there to work if he came there for his wages. And then he turned upon the congregation, and the effect was almost irresistible—they must serve Christ here if they would share His glory hereafter; but, if they would serve the devil now, to him they must go for their wages by-and-by. —Memoir of Billy Bray