Fresh Fish
for Sale Today

A man starting in the fish business hung out a sign, "Fresh Fish for Sale Today," and invited his friends to the opening. They all congratulated him on his enterprise, but one suggested that his sign might be improved. Said he, "Why the 'Today?' Of course it's today, not yesterday or tomorrow." So the fishmonger removed the word. Another said, "Why the 'For Sale?' Everybody knows that, else why the store?" And off came the words. Another complained, "why the word, 'Fresh?' Your integrity guarantees every fish to be fresh." Finally only "Fish" remained, but an objector said, "Why the sign?' I smelled your fish two blocks away!"

The church that tries to satisfy everybody ends up by pleasing nobody. Put up your sign and stand by it!

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I Walked the Path
A. C. Williams (from the Minister's Monthly, November 1961)

I walked the path of suffering -- I thought I was alone;
But soon I learned that others had heartaches like my own.
A legion came to join me -- an understanding throng;
To share and bear our burdens -- heal suffering with song.

I found courage in their handclasp -- I found patience in their calm;
I found hope in faith's assurance -- I found healing in their balm.
I'm not alone in suffering -- I'm not alone in tears;
For those who weep with those who weep can wipe away my tears.

And too, when sore affliction comes -- a dreary, rainy day;
I look inside my heart and find rich blessings stored away.
I take them from a treasure chest -- and count them o'er;
And think how good God's been to men -- why don't we trust Him more?

If all were sun and sunshine -- if clouds would never weep;
Would little flowers lift their heads -- would sowers ever reap?
The valleys down below us, but emphasize the heights;
Low-hanging clouds about us are pierced with shafts of light.

If sickness never hindered, and pain ne'er wrecked our frame;
Would days of health be cherished, if suffering never came?
In deeps of life's great ocean, may suffering be pearled;
And in the days of reck'ning be a gem of heaven's world.