John Selwyn, once a missionary bishop in Melanesia, on one occasion found it necessary to rebuke a native candidate for baptism. The man, who had very recently been a cannibal, became enraged by the rebuke, and struck the bishop a violent blow in the face. Selwyn, who had been a famous amateur boxer in his day, let the blow fall and quietly folded his arms. This so surprised the native that, turning away from the calm face that looked into his wild one, he turned and ran as quickly as he could away from the scene.
Years later, long after Selwyn had returned to England, this same man came to another missionary and asked to be prepared for baptism. When he asked what name he would take he replied: "Call me John Selwyn - for it was he who first taught me what Christ is like." I wonder if anything we do or say teaches others what Christ is like.
David Hicks, Pastor, Hawkins First United Methodist Church
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