In his kingdom
he conquers not by fighting, but by submitting. When an enemy
takes his coat, he overcomes him, not by going to law, but by
generously giving him his cloak also. When his enemy compels him
to go a mile with him, he vanquishes the enemy by cheerfully
going two miles with him. When he is smitten on one cheek, he
wins his foe by meekly turning the other cheek. This is the law
of the new life from Heaven, and only by recognising and obeying
it can that new life be sustained and passed on to others. This
is the narrow way which leads to life eternal, "and few there be
that find it," or, finding it, are willing to walk in it.
A Russian peasant, Sutajeff, could get no help from the religious
teachers of his village, so he learned to read, and while
studying the Bible he found this narrow way, and walked gladly in
it. One night neighbours of his stole some of his grain, but in
their haste or carelessness they left a bag. He found it, and ran
after them to restore it, "for," said he, "fellows who have to
steal must be hard up." And by this Christlike spirit he saved
both himself and them, for he kept the spirit of love in his own
heart, and they were converted and became his most ardent
disciples.
A beggar woman, to whom he gave lodging, stole the bedding and
ran away with it. She was pursued by the neighbours, and was just
about to be put in prison when Sutajeff appeared, became her
advocate, secured her acquittal, and gave her food and money for
her journey.
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