The Farmer Who Bested Daniel Webster

            Legend has it that the great 19th century U.S. senator and debater, Daniel Webster, was once topped in an exchange with a farmer from his state of Massachusetts.

            It seems that Webster had been hunting and had walked several miles from his Inn. Rather than make the long trip back, he came upon a farmhouse after dark. Webster began forcefully knocking on the door.

            After some time, an upstairs window opened and the farmer, roused from his sleep, stuck his head out. Calling down to Webster he said, “What do you want?”

            Webster called back up to him, “I want to spend the night here.”

            “All right,” the farmer called back down, “Stay there.” Then the farmer shut the window… and went back to bed.

            Jesus wants people of his Kingdom to open the door to those who need his hospitality.

One Toot, and You’re Out

            Do we make our guests (visitors) feel welcome in our worship assemblies?

            Many years ago, in a small Scottish church, an usher was painstakingly attending his duties, making sure that all in the worship service were in their places and properly quiet during the sermon.

            Suddenly, he spotted an old Scotswoman with an ear trumpet. He had not seen these contraptions (ear trumpets were metal instruments, shaped like trumpets, long ago used to assist the hearing impaired); consequently, he hurried over to the woman and, in a low but threatening whisper, told her, “One toot and you’re out.”

            Are there any members in your congregation who convey this spirit to your guests, “One toot and you’re out”?