Devotions from the Manse
The story of "The Keeper of the Spring, “a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps.
The old gentle man had been hired for a small payment many years earlier by a young town council to clear away the debris from the pools of water that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt from the fresh flow of water. By and by, the village became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semi-annual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? For all we know he is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer!" By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services.
For several weeks nothing changed. By early autumn the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A couple days later the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks and a foul odour was detected. The millwheels moved slower, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.
Embarrassed, the council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they hired back the old keeper of the spring and within a few weeks, the river began to clear up.
What the keeper of the spring meant to the village is what Christians mean to the world. We serve and are faithful, often with little recognition or appreciation. Yet if we are not working away quietly the world suffers. Like salt and light, Christians preserve and brighten the world.
CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday Services are currently held at 10.00am. Times will alternate annually in June with Methven Logiealmond Church, where services are currently held at 11.30am.
A relaxed friendly, Bible based worship and praise time at which all ages are welcome, whether regularly or occasionally, or as visitors to the area. All are welcome.
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