“MR. M. was a man of considerable power and culture of mind. He was more or less familiar with several ancient and modern languages, and possessed a large amount of general information. He occupied a good position in society, and conducted a prosperous business, till misfortune came upon him. Then, alas, irregularity of life followed; and sin, degradation and shame were the consequences.
“His circumstances were now the reverse of what they had been. But instead of manfully setting himself to rise above them, he yielded to the pressure which lay upon him, and sank into poverty and dejection.
“Life now became a burden, and he resolved to end it. He accordingly left home one evening in December, 1859, with the intention of never returning. He walked in the direction of Regent’s Park, determined to add another to the long list of suicides of which that park has been the scene.
“Passing along the Euston Road, with dejected looks and a heavy step, he was suddenly stopped and kindly asked by an individual who was a perfect stranger to him to attend a religious service in an adjoining room that had just been opened for a mid-day prayer meeting and the preaching of the gospel. The invitation being repeated and urged, and accompanied with the assurance that the room was neither a church nor a chapel, that the seats were all free, and that there was no collection, Mr. M. yielded to the stranger’s urgency, and made for the room, though with no willingness of step. He entered and took a seat near the door. His appearance arrested the attention of the preacher, who seemed to feel that he was brought in of God to be saved, and he was led to speak as if to him in particular.
“At the close of the sermon a short prayer meeting was held, during which the preacher left the desk and mingled with the audience. He made for the spot where Mr. M. was, and knelt by his side. When the benediction was pronounced he spoke to him, and kindly and anxiously asked the question whether his soul was saved.
“Mr. M. rushed from his presence and hurried from the place. But it was with a wounded conscience. The arrow of the Almighty was there. He hastened into the park, seeking for seclusion, but not now for the purpose of carrying his dire design into effect, but of reflecting on what he had heard. The night was spent by him in lone meditation, penitence and prayer. The morning dawned—but instead of seeing him a frozen corpse, it beheld him a seeker for mercy. Before many hours the mercy he sought and pleaded for was found and enjoyed.” For the same Lord is rich unto all that call upon Him. And “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.