6 Sermon Illustrations on Compassion Ministry

At Pilau in Prussia now lives a woman who has for some years consecrated her life to the noble and dangerous task of rescuing persons from drowning. Whenever a tempest comes on, day or night, Catharine Kleinfeldt, who is the widow of a sailor, is ready with a boat, in which she puts out to sea, and frequently goes farther than any other in order to give help to those who may be shipwrecked. More than three hundred individuals have been saved by her efforts. When she is seen, the greatest respect is paid to her; and the sailors regard her as their guardian angel. The very children of the fishermen go upon their knees to her, and kiss the skirts of her dress. The Prussian and other governments have decreed her medals; and the Principality of Pilau has made her an honorary citizen for life.

The following extract of a letter, written by a distinguished naval officer, and published in the "United Service Journal," very forcibly illustrates his benevolent disposition:

"Why do you ask me to relate the wreck of the Dutton? Susan (Lady Exmouth) and I were driving to a dinner all the small stones he could find, in a corner. As soon as he had done so, he went off to Mr. Jackson, who had paid him most cheerfully, and said he was again at a loss for work. "Say you so, my poor fellow!" said Mr. Jackson; "then I must see what I can do for you. Let me see, there is a sack, fill that with stones from the corner, and carry them off to Bethnal Green, and make haste back for another sack."

The vagrant proceeded upon his new employment with a very ill grace. As soon as he got to White Chapel Church, he shot the contents of his sack into the church-yard, and swearing that he would never, as long as he lived, go into a church-yard again, walked off with the sack, and was never again seen by Mr. Jackson.

The practice has been found an infallible cure for vagrancy in the parish of St. Catherine Cree.

The celebrated Cooke, the miser of Petonville, knew the disposition of beggars well, and drew much benefit from the knowledge. When any beggar came to his gate, and complained of want of work, Cooke set him to digging the garden, but took care to watch from under a window, lest he should run off with the spade. After an hour or two's labor, the workman stuck his spade into the earth and sneaked off. His place was soon supplied by another, who had very little inclination to labor; and thus Cooke managed to have his garden dug entirely over, without a farthing's expense.

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party at Plymouth, when we saw crowds running to the Hoe; and learning it was a wreck, I left the carriage to take her on, and joined the crowd. I saw the loss of the whole five or six hundred was inevitable, without somebody to direct them; for the last officer was pulled ashore as I reached the surf. I urged the officers to return, but they refused; upon which I made the rope fast to myself, and was hauled through the surf on board, established order, and did not leave her until every one was saved but the boatswain, who would not go before me. I got safe, and so did he; and the ship went all to pieces. But I was laid in bed for a week, by getting under the mainmast, which had fallen towards the shore; and my back was cured by Lord Spencer's having conveyed to me by letter his majesty's intention to dub me a baronet. No more have I to say, except that I felt more pleasure in giving to a mother's arms a dear little infant, only three weeks old, than I ever felt in my life; and both were saved. The struggle she had to intrust me with the bantling, was a scene I cannot describe; nor need you; and, consequently, you will never let this be visible."

We are informed that the injunction just referred to, was scrupulously regarded till death removed all necessity for secrecy.

A poor woman understanding that Dr. Goldsmith had studied physic, and hearof his great humanity, solicited him in a letter to send her something for her husband, who had lost his appetite and was reduced to a most melancholy state. The good natured poet waited on her instantly, and, after some discourse with his patient, found him sinking in sickness and poverty. The doctor told him they should hear from in an hour, when he would send them some pills which he believed would prove efficacious. He immediately went home and put ten guineas into a chip box, with the following label; "These must be used as necessities require; be patient, and of good heart." He sent his servant with this prescription to the comfortless mourner, who found it contained a remedy superior to any thing Galen or his tribe could administer.