Luke 4:28-31 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,… The Rev. Charles G. Finney gives, in the words following, an account of the effects of a Christian look on a certain occasion: — "I once preached, for the first time, in a manufacturing village. The next morning I went into a manufacturing establishment to view its operations. As I passed into the weaving department, I beheld a great company of young women, some of whom, I observed, were looking at me and then at each other, in a manner that indicated a trifling spirit, and that they knew me. I, however, knew none of them. As I approached nearer to those who had recognized me, they seemed to increase in their manifestation of lightness of mind. Their levity made a peculiar impression upon me; I felt it to my very heart. I stopped short and looked at them, I know not how, as my whole mind was absorbed with their guilt and danger. As I settled my countenance upon them, I observed that one of them became very much agitated. A thread broke. She attempted to mend it; but her hands trembled in such a manner that she could not do it. I immediately observed that the sensation was spreading, and had become universal among that class of triflers. I looked steadily at them, until one after another gave up, and paid no more attention to their looms. They fell on their knees, and the influence spread throughout the whole room. I had not spoken a word, as the noise of the looms would have prevented my being heard if I had. In a few minutes all work was abandoned, and tears and lamentations filled the room. At this moment the owner of the factory, who was himself an unconverted man, came in, accompanied, I believe, by the superintendent, who was a professed Christian. When the owner saw the state of things, he said to the superintendent, 'Stop the mill.' What he saw seemed to pierce him to the heart. 'It is more important,' he hurriedly remarked, 'that these souls should be saved than that this mill should run.' As soon as the noise of the machinery had ceased, the owner inquired, 'What shall we do? We must have a place to meet where we can receive instruction.' The superintendent replied, 'The mule-room will do.' The mules were run up out of the way, and all the hands were notified, and assembled in that room. We had a marvellous meeting. I prayed with them, and gave them such instructions as at the time they could bear. The Word was with power; and within a few days, as I was informed, nearly every hand in that great establishment, together with the owner, had hope in Christ." (Bate's Influence of Mind on Mind.) Parallel Verses KJV: And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,WEB: They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things. |
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