FREDERICK CHARRINGTON was born into a very wealthy family. His father was head of the world-famous Charrington Brewery in London. The name Charrington appeared over hundreds of public houses and saloons while their liquors and wines were sold in bars and taverns throughout the world. When young Frederick was just nine years old, one day he threw a whole bundle of bank notes into the fire. When his father demanded why he did it, he replied, “I wanted to see a big blaze.” Years later, while he was still a young fellow, he threw away a fortune for a very different reason.
Frederick’s father sent him,’ on a tour to Europe, and there he met an American named William Rains-ford. Rainsford was a Christian, and he asked Frederick the question of all questions, “Are you saved?”
Frederick did not like being asked such a question, and resented it, but his friend persisted in talking to him about his soul. He said, “When I’m gone, will you read the third chapter of John’s Gospel? Promise me to read it.” Frederick did promise, and some time later he got a Bible and turned to the wonderful chapter which God has used in blessing to countless souls. Frederick remembered that another friend of his, Lord Garvah, had also talked to him about being saved, and both of these friends had said the same thing they knew that they were saved and on their way to heaven. As he read those precious life-giving words of the Saviour, he felt that God was speaking to him. His proud spirit was bowed and humbled before the solemn yet blessed message.
“Ye must be born again... And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:7, 14-167Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:14‑16).
Frederick knew he was a sinner and that he needed the Saviour. Right there and then he accepted the Lord Jesus as his own, and passed from darkness into light. From then on, he had the assurance that he too was saved. He began helping in the gospel work among the children, but at the same time he still worked for his father in the brewery. Years later, he related to Gypsy Hawkins the circumstances that led him to give up the wretched brewery business and devote himself to the service of Christ.
“I was coming along the street one Saturday night,” he said, “when I saw a poor ill-clad woman with two or three little children peering in at the door of the public house. I stopped to see what would happen. Presently she went in and said to a man standing at the bar, “Frank, the children and I are starving; give me some money for food before you spend it all on drink.’ The man was furious because she had spoken to him in front of his mates. He took her outside and struck her a blow that knocked her down. I looked down at the woman, and then on the door of the public house I saw, “Charrington Fine Ales.” The blow that struck that wan knocked me clean out of the brewery business forever.”
“Do you regret doing it?” asked Gypsy Hawkins.
“Regret it?” Charrington replied. “I would do the same again tomorrow. God has rewarded me a thousand-fold in this life, to say nothing of the life to come.”
Frederick experienced what it was to suffer for Christ’s sake. One day he was attacked by ruffians, who knocked him down, because he had changed masters. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12).
Frederick’s own father did all he could to get him to give up the new life he had chosen, but Frederick told him he was through with the brewery business forever. He gave up a $5,000,000.00 fortune. Nevertheless, before his father died, Frederick had the joy of telling him of his Saviour. We do not know if his father was saved — we hope so; but Frederick was a comfort to him at the end, and he listened intently as his son spoke to him of Christ.
God rewards those who make sacrifices for Him. The man who has Christ is truly rich — rich here and rich hereafter; rich in the possession of Christ and eternal life, and in the love and favor of God.
ML-07/13/1969