Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/93

Contributor - A. Gardiner Skelly

Title - Wise or Otherwise

Topic - Hospitality

It is a good many years now, since a prominent Presbyterian minister told me this story. At the time this incident took place, he was the pastor of a large congregation in a beautiful Ontario city. One afternoon he returned to his home to find his wife entertaining a fine looking couple of youthful seniors. They greeted him warmly by his first name, like a long lost son. He was completely nonplussed, for he didn't have a clue as to their identity! He concealed his ignorance with a smooth aplomb, which is acquired only through years of tiptoeing through the minefields of parochial politics!

When his wife went to the kitchen to make some tea, he excused himself and followed her. Safely out of ear shot, he asked the 64 000 dollar question, "Who are these people?" "I have no idea," she responded with perfect Presbyterian poise! Then a blinding flash of inspiration came to them, they would check the visitors' coats on the hall stand for their names. It was a brilliant idea, but it died at birth because the coats were as nameless as the guests.

A difficult decision had to be made. Should they clear up the mystery at once by confessing their ignorance and run the risk of offending this delightful couple? Or should they simply sustain the charade and see what transpired? They opted for the latter course. Tea was served and the afternoon passed swiftly in pleasant conversation. It was apparent that the people really knew them, so there was no concern about any threat from the unknown strangers in their house.

Eventually the guests, who made no move to take their leave, were invited to stay for dinner and they gladly accepted. The evening wore on and since the strangers had indicated, in the course of casual conversation, that they were on a short unplanned holiday, they were asked to stay the night and again they promptly accepted.

After a hearty breakfast the next morning, full of warm gratitude, they were putting their coats on in the hall and preparing to leave when one of them said, "Well, we'll certainly tell what a wonderful time we have had." The name which they had just dropped into the conversation provided the vital missing clue! It was the name of one of the minister's college classmates and these strangers were his parents. They had met our mystified ministerial couple at their son's wedding years before and simply assumed that they would be remembered and recognized and welcomed!

All of this took place years ago; it was way back in the lost, lamented age of innocence when we knew nothing of "locked doors", much less of "security systems". It is now a sadly changing world, and today one would scarcely risk admitting unknown strangers into one's home. The horror stories of hostage taking have hardened our hearts against hospitality, and understandably so. Yet hospitality is a wonderful, mutually enriching grace which we dare not arbitrarily edit out of the New Testament epistles.

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