The Gift Of Standing By - Donald Grey Barnhouse ...

THE GIFT OF STANDING BY - Donald Grey Barnhouse told the story (supposedly true) about Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes. When he moved to Washington, D.C., to take up his duties as Chief Justice, he transferred his membership letter to a Baptist Church in the area. His father had been a Baptist minister and he also made a profession of faith in Christ.

The custom was for all new members to come to the front of the sanctuary at the close of the worship service. The first to be called that morning was a Chinese laundry man, who had moved to the capital from the West coast, Ah Sing. He took his place at the far side of the church. As the dozen or so other people were called forward they stood at the opposite side of the church, leaving Ah Sing standing alone.

But when Chief Justice Hughes was called, he took his place beside the laundry man. When the minister had welcomed the group into the church fellowship, he turned to the congregation and said, "I do not want this congregation to miss this remarkable illustration of the fact that at the cross of Jesus Christ the ground is level."

Barnhouse commented: "Mr. Hughes behaved like a true Christian. He took his place beside the laundry man, and by his act he prevented embarrassment to the humble Chinese; he showed, too, the love of Christ -- he had this gift of standing by."