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Through a Woman's Window

YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!

The other day a friend made a remark which set me thinking. She said, "We don't know how people are watching us." It took my mind back to a pas­sage in that delightful little book by H. L. Gee, "Up Hill and Down." Let me quote some of it for you. The author is on one of his walking trips when he says, "A woman, who was shaking a mat not far from her front door, looked up, nodded, and remarked:

'You'll be the man from up yonder?'

'Oh?' I asked, not under­standing her.

She smiled as she said: 'I saw you when I was cleaning my window.'

'Oh?' said I again.

'Yes. I saw you sitting on The Edge, and I guessed you didn't see me.'

'You are right,' was my reply. I had no idea anyone was looking at me.' 'Ah,' said she, 'folks never know who's a-keeping of an eye on them.'

When I had thought myself alone, and that no human eye was upon me, this good housewife had been looking up. Even when we think we are alone, someone may be watching."

I suppose there is nothing so very new in such statements, but it is well to remind ourselves of this important fact now and again. Who is watching you? Someone surely is. You will be the only sermon some person may read, and it takes so little to spoil it. A lady told me recently of a case in point. She had people making use of part of her home, and, not being Christians, they made a practice of doing their laundry on Sunday. This grieved her because of the effect it might have on her neighbours. She spoke very kindly about it, and tactfully offered to assist the lady with this task during the week. The husband was immediately up in arms, and retaliated, "You do things just as bad." The Christian woman, still gracious, begged him to do her the favour of naming the act to which he took exception. This he unwillingly did, for which she thanked hint and said, "I will never do that again. It is evident that you watch me and I would not wittingly be a stumbling-block to anyone." (I might say, the matter referred to was very trivial indeed.)

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But we might all put ourselves in the same position, and realise that our life is being noticed by, and Influencing, others, whether we admit it or not. In some respects this can be a salutary challenge to us, especially when we realise that those who are not Christians are only too well aware of what a true Christian should be. Their standard for a Christian Is a high one!

A pastor I knew many years ago, always used to advise young converts to lose no time in confessing Christ before their work-mates. If they should seem to hesitate and plead their inability to "live, up to it," he would always assure them, "They will gee that you live up to it!"' 

More recently, I was glad to hear of a young man who realised that, as a Christian, his life would be watched. When taking over a new sphere of spiritual activity, he remarked that he would need to keep a careful vigilance over his conduct, lest any under his influence should be stumbled. How true it is for us all! As Paul advised the Corinthians, we are an "epistle—known and read of all men," and if we feel the responsibility over-much for us, let us remember, too, the assurance, "not that we are sufficient of ourselves—but our sufficiency is of God." (2 Cor. 3:2-6)

L.A.W.

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COMMONWEALTH COMMENTS

• Pastor T. Evans has left for a short trip to Wales.
• Pastor T. Whiting of Toowoomba, accompanied by his wife Ruth, and Philip, left on the Oronsay for a visit to England and expect to arrive back on the 4th May, 1963.
• Pastor A. Garrett has taken over the pastorate of the Wynnum Assembly, Queensland.
• Payneham (S. Aust.) reports the doubling of its numbers in twelve months.

OVERSEAS OBSERVATIONS:

• World Population. Recent statistics show 52 million population rise in 1961, or one million per week.
• Can we ever keep pace in Evangelism?
• Assemblies of God, U.S.A. Latest figures give church members 514,317. Sunday School enrolments 992,366. Working in all 50 States and 72 foreign lands. In foreign lands 11,922 churches and preaching places, 1,393,173 members and adherents. Four hundred Revivaltime radio sessions in "U.S.A. and abroad.
• George Newsholme, Gt, Britain. Prominent in the A. of G. work and known to many in Australia, our brother was called to "Higher Service" recently. Your Editor and "L.A.W." were closely associated with our brother before coming to Australia and can testify to his sterling worth and character and able ministry. His last service on our behalf was to join us in marriage.