Anthony Hall had seen long service in the Marines. He had been all over the world and had fought in many engagements, out of which he had come unscathed. Then he was pensioned and took a job as a night watchman. During the day he had several hours to himself, and much of this time was spent in gambling and drinking.
Anthony was so given over to the service of sin and Satan that his wife, though herself unconverted, became worried about what would become of him. If he would only go to church, she thought, he might be reformed.
Through her pleadings he was induced to attend some Gospel services. There the Spirit of God convicted him of his state as a lost sinner, and so wrought upon him that both gambling and drink lost their charms. His sin-burdened conscience almost drove him to despair. He saw no hope for himself one of the worst of sinners and felt that everlasting doom must be his end.
Living near Anthony there was a former sergeant, John Lawson. He had learned that there was no peace to be found out of Christ.
Having passed through the dangers and temptations of a soldier’s life, Lawson loved to labor amongst soldiers and was the means in God’s hands of leading many of them to the Lord.
Hearing of Anthony’s condition, John called on him and sought to point him to the Savior. Anthony could not read, so John read to him. The old marine listened intently as his friend read out these wonderful words, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Again Lawson read, “God so loved the world”—and, looking at Anthony, said, “This includes you ‘that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever’—and that means you amongst the rest—you, Anthony Hall— `believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”
Anthony was fairly astonished; he raised his brawny hand above his head, and brought it down on the table before him, saying at the same time, “I don’t believe it.”
Without argument, Lawson read again, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [and that means you] believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Again Anthony shouted, “I don’t believe it,” as his strong fist came down once more with a crash upon the table.
A third time the words were repeated, but they seemed incredible to the old marine. He had never heard the story of God’s love, and he exclaimed with more warmth than ever, “I don’t believe it.”
Lawson, wise in winning souls, seemingly changed the ‘subject. “How long were you in the service, Anthony?”
“Twenty-one years and fourteen days,” was Anthony’s prompt reply.
At this John Lawson lifted his fist, brought it down on the table, and cried, “I don’t believe it!”
“Do you think I would tell you a lie?” returned Anthony angrily. “It was twenty-one years and fourteen days.”
“I don’t believe it,” answered Lawson drily.
“Wife” cried Anthony, “bring me my discharge.”
Lawson took the paper from her hand, quietly asking the old marine if he had ever read it, and if he believed it. Anthony answered that others had read it to him, and that he believed what he had heard.
Then Anthony said, “How is it that you expect me to believe the word of man, while you yourself refuse to believe the Word of God?” Again opening his Bible, he once more read John 3:1616For 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 3:16).
Anthony’s eyes and heart were now opened, and he joyfully exclaimed, “I see it! I believe it! I believe it! Thank God.”
From that hour these words filled his soul with joy during his long night watches. He became anxious to read them for himself and, instead of sleeping in the day, he would lie on his back and learn to spell out John 3:1616For 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 3:16).
His wife bought him a spelling book, but he cast it aside, saying that he would learn to read out of no book but the Bible, and John 3:1616For 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 3:16) should be his first lesson. He at once began to tell the good news to his wife, who through God’s mercy received the blessed truth. Now their great joy is to read together and to tell others of God’s love, as told in their precious verse.
Friend, you may have read it many times.
Do you believe it?
W. T.