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The Thief in the Black Cape (2)

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The Thief in the Black Cape (2)

6 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Dirk Van Dordt

(Translated from StandVastig StatenVertaling, September 2010)

It has almost become dark. “Mister, I cannot read anything to you anymore. It is too dark, but I assure you that the other books are just as good.”

“Well, you can easily say that, but I do not believe it. You have just chosen the two best books. Take those books out from under the wood.” The minister does so. The robber then lights the dry twigs, and they begin to burn. “So, now you can read some more.” The minister leafs through the pages for a few seconds; then we hear, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” It is written in 1 Corinthians 13.

Prayer

The moon hangs in the sky. The stars sparkle in the firmament. By the soft, crackling, wood fire sit two black-clothed men. One booklet after the other is placed on the pile which will not be burned.

“I have no more booklets, sir. Can’t you see that I am not spreading bad books? Please let me have my freedom again.”

“You lie, mister, you lie! Here. Give me that briefcase; I will look in it myself.” The minister gives the briefcase to the robber. He looks into it, turns it upside down, and shakes it ... empty!

The robber looks at the minister sharply. The wood fire gives a strange glow to his eyes. “Listen, honored sir. Take the books back with you. I will let you go this time, but I am warning you. Don’t ever get the thought in your head to spread bad literature. Take it from me; I will hear about it, and ... I will know how to find you.”

Calmly, the minister places the booklets one by one into his briefcase. In the meantime he continues to think. He asks, “Mister, may I offer you a booklet?”

“Scram,” is the only answer. Soon the darkness has swallowed the minister. For several minutes he continues on along the crooked path in the direction of the city. The wind rustles through the trees. In the distance a wild animal is howling. The minister stops. He kneels down upon the cold ground. “Lord, Thou hast been my Savior when I was in need. I thank Thee, oh Lord; my heart is filled with thoughts. Have compassion on this poor robber, according to the greatness of Thy mercies.”

There sits a lonesome robber. He is covered with his black robe. Deep in thought he stares into the fire. The pistol still lies in his hand.

A small man in a black suit is walking through the city. His shoulders are drooping. He is walking slowly. In his hand he has a briefcase, a briefcase with booklets. It is ... the minister. He has left the broad avenues with large homes and stately trees behind him some time ago. The streets are becoming narrower. The curtains in front of the windows of the homes are torn. The paint is worn from the doors, and the glass in the windows is cracked. A foul smell of sewage is hanging between the homes. It is a warm day. The heat shimmers above the alleys. Many people are sitting outside their homes to escape the heat. A group of ragged men are sitting drinking large mugs of beer. They are unshaven. From time to time coarse laughter can be heard. The minister walks in their direction. “Hey, black coat! Hey, mister minister, how about a beer? Boy, it tastes good.” The minister acts as if he does not hear them and quickly walks on.


A group of ragged men are sitting drinking large mugs of beer. They are unshaven. From time to time coarse laughter can be heard. The minister walks in that direction.


“May I read something to you?”

Several men are walking in front of him. They are pulling a donkey tied to a rope along with them. The minister decides to follow them. They come to a small courtyard. There the donkey is tied to a pole, and they tie a sign around its neck. The sign says “For Sale.” The minister has also come to the courtyard. He stands still for a moment and looks at the men with the donkey. He is always looking, looking for a suitable moment to speak about the Truth, about God’s Word.

Suddenly, he has an idea. He walks toward the men. “Men, may I read something to you?” They give him a strange look. They do not know this stranger.

“I would prefer that you would buy my donkey, but, go ahead, let us hear your story,” one of the ragged men says.

The minister takes a small black booklet out of his briefcase. He leafs through it for a moment. Then in the court yard his very calm voice is heard. He is reading the story of the Lord Jesus who sent out two of His disciples to get a donkey for Him, and sitting thereupon He rode into Jerusalem. The men listen attentively.

“How much does that book cost?” asks one of them. “My dear man, this booklet is free, and I will gladly give it to you. I have more booklets, also for the rest of you,” the minister says as he points to the other men. “But... you must promise me something. You must ...”

A great danger

“Nice talk ...” A shrill voice is heard in the courtyard. With a sudden motion the minister turns around; he looks into a face full of angry red sores, a face distorted in a cruel sneer. Several partially broken brown teeth become visible. The minister smells the odor of strong liquor coming from the man’s mouth.

“Nice talk, but it is good for nothing, good for nothing. That little black man is a dirty little man, and he has filthy little books.” The man raises a large hairy fist. “It is time that I finish you off. People, come closer, then you will see something very pretty.” The voice of the sinister man has become sweet like honey.

The people come walking over to them from all sides of the courtyard. “People, this guy is walking around here spreading filthy literature. He is poisoning our children.” With glowering eyes the man looks at the minister. “It is time that we help to send you to another world.”

In the meantime the courtyard has become black with people. Others also begin to shout. “Let’s make an end of him. Let’s stone him.”

(To be continued)

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The Thief in the Black Cape (2)

Bekijk de hele uitgave van dinsdag 1 februari 2011

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's