The Dumb Beggar

“A dumb beggar gets an alms at Chris fs gate if he can but make signs, when his tongue cannot plead for hitnr This is a cheering sentence for the many poor souls who feel that they cannot find words wherewith to pray. Sit down at mercy’s gate, and show your sores, and groan, and sigh. Let your rags ask for raiment, and your hunger plead for bread. Wounds are eloquent orators with a tender-hearted surgeon; expose your wounds to Jesus and he will bind them up. Misery is mercy’s best constraint. When the psalmist could not pray a set prayer, he says, “I opened my mouth and panted.” He declares in another place that he panted like a thirsty hart: there is nothing articulate in panting, and yet no one ever misunderstood the meaning of the act. Come, then, ye dumb beggars, and learn the language of signs. Come and pant, come and spread your misery before the eyes of mercy, and doubt not that he who knows the thoughts of the heart will readily understand you and speedily grant your desires.