ST. PETER’S DIFFICULTY

One day Peter was greatly disturbed. He wanted to leave the Gate of Heaven and his duties there for a few minutes, so he called his brother Andrew to take his place.

Andrew was very willing to play guardian, but Peter was afraid to leave him in charge.

“Mind now,” he cautioned him, “don’t let anyone in who is not entitled to enter. Don’t act on your own judgment. Ask the Recording Angel and go by his assurance only, and remember that those who have a right to get in will always get in, and a little delay will not harm them, for son of man or daughter of Eve was never too humble. Take care now and make no mistake.”

Andrew assured Peter again and again that he would follow his directions to the letter, and at length Peter hastened away towards the Throne, his business brooking no delay.

On the way he met Jesus, and after some hesitation could not help unburdening his heart to Him:

“A dreadful thing has happened, Master,” he began, “and I want you to believe that I am not to blame. I have been given charge of the gate and have never left it for a moment till now, and I pledge you my word I have never let a single person inside who has not a perfectly clean sheet. No one can be more grateful for all the privileges of Heaven than I am. You believe me, don’t you?”

Jesus bowed His head with smiling eyes.

“I am sure, Peter, you have been an admirable guardian,” He said, “but what is troubling you now?”

“The other day,” began Peter, looking up at Him with sidelong intent eyes, “the other day I met a little blind girl whom I certainly never let into Heaven. Oh, Master, Master, someone is admitting them; I can do nothing and I shall be blamed for someone else’s fault.”

Jesus put His hand on Peter’s shoulder: “We do not blame easily, do we, Peter? But who do you think is letting them in?”

“I cannot sleep or eat for thinking of it,” replied Peter evasively; “please help me.”

“How shall I help you?” asked Jesus.

“Come to-night at eleven o’clock when all is quiet and I will show you everything.”

Jesus looked at him in some surprise, but answered simply: “I will be with you, Peter.”

That night Peter took Jesus and guided Him by the hand all along the rampart to the first great bastion; then he whispered to him to wait in the shadow and he would see. And lo! a few minutes later they were aware of a woman’s figure close to the battlements. They both saw her unwind her girdle and let it down over the wall; in a few moments a little hunchbacked creature climbed up, took one or two halting steps and then cast himself down on his face before the woman and began kissing the hem of her garment.

At once Jesus drew Peter away, and as they went towards the gate, out of earshot, He said: “My mother!”

“Yes, it is Mary,” Peter began, “and what can I do? Those she lets in are all deformed like that wretched hunchback; she helps only the maimed and the halt and the blind, and some afflicted with bleeding, putrid sores—dreadful creatures; they would shame even an earthly city. But what am I to do, Master?”

“Peter, Peter!” said Jesus, and the luminous great eyes dwelt on him, “you and I had not even deformity to plead for us——”

LOVE IS MY SIN