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Wayne Smith was themuch beloved Pastor of Southland Christian Church in Lexington - a church he started in 1956 and served 40 years until 1996.  Pastor Randy quotes him often and describes him as "one of the best preachers ever".    He used to tell the following story and no matter how many times you've heard it, you'll still be moved.

It’s the story of when British Prime Minister William Gladstone came to the House of Commons to announce the death of Princess Alice on December 14, 1878. He did so by sharing a touching story.

Her young daughter had been very ill with diphtheria and Princess Alice was forbidden by the physicians from kissing her because of the almost certainty of contracting the disease from the child’s breath.

One day, as her daughter was struggling to breathe, she picked her up into her arms to keep her from choking to death. She rubbed her back and gently encouraged her. Everything was going to be all right. After a few moments, the child quieted down and the delirium subsided. Then, she looked up at her mother with a smile and said, “Momma, kiss me.”

It was too much for the mother’s heart. Without stopping to think, she tenderly kissed her daughter and hugged her with an embrace only a mother could give. But it was the kiss of death.

It wasn’t many days and her daughter was better, but Princess Alice lay cold and pale in her splendid shroud.

Gladstone concluded, “She gave her life on an impulse of love.”

Will you?