The Lone Ember
A Member of a certain assembly, who previously had been
attending services regularly, stopped going. After a
few weeks, the minister decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The minister found the man at
home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing
the reason for his minister's visit, the man welcomed
him in and led him to a comfortable chair
near the fireplace and waited.

The minister made himself at home but said nothing. In
the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the
flames around the burning logs. After some time, the
minister took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a
brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of
the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair,
still silent. The host watched all this in quiet
contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered
and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then
its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.
The minister glanced at his watch and realized it was
time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold,
dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the
fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the
light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the minister reached the door to leave, his host
said with a tear running down his cheek," thank you so
much for your visit and especially for the fiery
sermon. I shall be in church next Sabbath.

(Something to think about for all of us)

Submitted by Beve Hebert