ONE evening in July 1877 some Christians went out-of-doors, in a town in the north of England, to preach the glad tidings of God’s grace. Gradually the people came forth from their doors, and gathered around to listen. Among the number was a young man named R― M―, who was speedily convicted of sin. The Word arrested his conscience, and he was brought face to face with the solemnities of eternity. He discovered that he was a lost sinner on the broad road to hell. But the joyful news of salvation also sounded upon his ears, and through grace he believed the testimony of God to the finished work of His beloved Son, and was saved.
The meeting closed, and the preachers and the crowd dispersed, but R― M―, in deep exercise of soul, remained riveted to the spot. Just then two of his usual companions came along, returning from a long walk in the country, and greeted him jestingly, not knowing what had taken place. He answered seriously, “I am converted now,” and his words went like a dart through the soul of one of them, whose name was J—K—. The other, an utterly careless young fellow, laughed outright at the very idea of such a thing. But K―, deeply convicted by R― M―’s words, replied, “It isn’t a thing to be laughed at.” No, dear reader, it is not indeed. Those who laugh and mock now will weep and wail by-and-by; and then the Lord will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh (Prov. 1:2626I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:26)).
Now K―’s father, who had been a wild character in his young days, had been converted, and had often spoken to his son about his soul, so that he was not altogether ignorant of his need of a Saviour, or of the way of salvation. From time to time he had been aroused, but stifled his convictions in sin and wickedness. One thing that had often troubled him was a large gospel text that hung upon the wall of his father’s cottage, which read thus,
Which are yours, sinner?
These words had continually haunted him both at home and at his work, and he was conscious that death, damnation, and Satan were his portion unless he repented of his sins. His spare time was spent in the public-house and other haunts, card-playing, &c., and he strove hard to drown his fears in the pleasures and follies of the world. But with an awakened conscience, all was in vain, and his misery was increased by often finding, upon his return home, his father upon his knees praying aloud and earnestly for his conversion to God. Many a night he lay awake for hours, thinking of his soul and eternity. He knew that if he died the lake of fire forever would be his awful portion (Rev. 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)).
About this time K―learned somewhat of the truth of the second coming of the Lord, and he was conscious that if He came he would be left behind for judgment. A little incident that took place brought this solemn truth most vividly before him and other unconverted ones in the house. One morning his father had risen early, and gone out unperceived. When the rest rose for breakfast, he was nowhere to be found, and they thought that the Lord had come and taken him to glory (1 Thess. 4:15-20), as he had often said might happen, and that they were left behind. It was a terrible moment for poor J― K―, as he remembered how the foolish virgins knocked in vain at the closed door in the parable (Matt. 25:10-1310And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:10‑13)). It was an immense relief and joy to them when the father presently returned.
Notwithstanding this J― K―went on with-out Christ, living in sin. But the gracious Lord still followed him in mercy. One night, having gone to bed, trembling lest he should die before morning, he dreamed that he was in hell. It seemed to him as a dismal place of darkness, and the wicked suffering each in a place by himself. And then he looked up and saw a Man above him in heaven, whom he knew to be the Lord Jesus Christ.
He awoke with a start, and wept profusely, but thankful to find that there was yet time to escape so awful a doom. His sobs aroused his father, who was anxious to know the cause, but, afraid to be spoken to about his sins and his soul, it was some time before he could confess what had happened. His father pointed him to Christ the only Saviour, and told him of His finished work, His precious blood. But instead of bowing to that blessed Name, and believing on Him to the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation of his soul, he tried Satan’s old plan, the well-beaten road trodden by so many convicted but unsaved souls, the way of reformation. Poor K― followed this path, but like thousands more, found it hard toil and no profit. His good resolutions soon gave way, and it was not long before he was back again at his old haunts and his old sins. Satan is far more than a match for all who seek heaven by “doing.” It is a vain delusion indeed to seek to improve the flesh, which God gave up as incorrigible nearly nineteen centuries ago (Rom. 8:3-83For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:3‑8)). The sinner’s fit of improvement is generally of short duration.
Gospel meetings held in the streets were a special source of trouble to K―. He knew that the truth was preached, but he shrank from it because of his sin. The very sight of the preachers caused him to color deeply and to drop his head. What cowards even the naturally brave become when the salvation of the soul is in question. In depths of misery his only consolation was that his very state proved that God had not entirely given him up, although at times he was ready to think that his case was hopeless, and that he must be eternally lost.
Dear reader, what do you know of these ploughings of conscience? Are you going on self-satisfied and indifferent, or have you had to do with God? It is a personal matter. You must meet Him. Now grace abounds, and He is a Saviour-God, but soon grace will cease to flow, and woe to all who are exposed to His judgment. Oh! then, have to do with Him now. “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:2121Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job 22:21)). But if you refuse or neglect the salvation of God now, you will surely reap the eternal judgment of God in the future.
It was after this time that the incident occurred which we referred to in the opening of this paper.
R― M―’s words, “I am converted now,” did their work. They went right home, and J― K― said to him, “If you are saved now, we will go and burn the cards.” Turning their steps at once to M―’s house, where they had been playing night after night, they consigned them all to the flames. From this moment K―broke with his old companions in sin, and was so deeply convicted that he thought he was the most wretched creature upon the face of the earth.
M― asked him the next night to attend a Bible-reading, but he couldn’t face it. He was afraid of the reproach and scoff of the world. A little later, however, he summoned courage and went, being broken down before God. The fear of death and hell tormented him morning, noon, and night (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). He felt he deserved eternal woe, and although he knew the plan of salvation, there seemed no way of escape for such a sinner as him.
Then he tried hymn-singing, which he thought would be more pleasing to God than his former habitual bad language and swearing. This seemed to bring a temporary happiness, but his conscience pricked him that the contents of the hymns had no application to him. However, he persevered at this, trying meanwhile to be as good as he could! One night he thought he would go home and tell his father he was saved now, for he knew what a joy it would be to him. But, alas! his false happiness deserted him before he reached the door, and all was in vain. Another day passed, and still he lacked peace. But the long night of darkness of soul was about to be succeeded by a morning without clouds. The next day was Saturday, and K― and others left off work early, and he had arranged to go out for the afternoon with a friend. But as he left the door of his house his distress of soul was so great, he felt he could not go. The thought rushed through his mind, “If you put salvation off this time you will be lost forever,” and he told his friend he would not go.
Re-entering the house, he reached down a Bible, and went into a room by himself. Opening it at 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), he read and re-read that blessed verse, “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.” But he could make nothing of it. All seemed dark. He could grasp the first part about God’s wondrous love, and the gift of His Son, but could not apply the latter part, that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” How could God save such a sinner as he by simply believing on His Son? He read it again, but could make nothing of it. Satan suggested that he was past salvation altogether, and he thought it was of no use to read it any more. But still he hesitated, and could not leave it. He could not close the book, and think that he was lost forever. He read the verse again, and wept before God about his sins.
By this time his father had come home, and he entered the room, and spoke to him from the word that he was reading, and also turned to many other precious scriptures. One was that familiar and blessed passage, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). Still all was dark. At last he opened at John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24), and read, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” Pressing it upon him, he said, “He that heareth,’ that’s the first thing, and ‘believeth,’ the second, and ‘hath’ the third;” and he went over it again and again. Then once more, reading the whole verse, he pressed upon his son the importance of taking God at His word, saying that if God says “hath” He means what He says, for He could not tell a lie.
In a moment the light broke in upon J―’s soul. He saw that if God said hath, He meant it. All was clear in an instant. He heard, he believed, he had. He took God at His word, and everlasting life was his. Tears of sorrow were succeeded by tears of joy. Darkness was dispelled by light. Unbelief gave place to faith. Fear fled before peace. Hath took the place of hope, and J― K― was saved. From that moment to this perfect peace of soul has been his blessed portion.
He saw then how that hymn-singing had even been used of the enemy to keep him away from Christ. Satan will use good things as well as bad to attain his object. But now he could sing with the spirit, and the joy of his heart: ―
“Once as prodigals we wandered,
In our folly far from Thee;
But Thy grace, o’er sin abounding,
Rescued us from misery.
Thou the prodigal hast pardoned,
Kissed us with a Father’s love,
Killed the fatted calf, and called us
E’er to dwell with Thee above.”
Yes, the wandering prodigal was now the subject of grace. Rescued from misery, he had received the Father’s kiss, and was now enjoying His love, and feasting upon the riches of His grace, as His child. His soul enjoyed that blessed assurance which the sure word of God alone could give, and which all the power of Satan can never take away. Joy and peace filled his soul, and praises issued from his lips to the One who had so richly blessed him. The dread of hell, the fear of judgment, the shrinking from death, had all been dispelled, and the coming of the Lord instead filled him with joy and delight. Eternal life his present portion, he knew the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. Life, love, and liberty, all were his. The wanderer was brought to God.
And now the once coward-hearted sinner became the bold-spirited follower of Christ, telling forth the glad tidings in His name. It was with him as with others, “I believed, and therefore have I spoken” (2 Cor. 4:1313We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (2 Corinthians 4:13)). He could not keep the blessed joyful news to himself. His Saviour was a Saviour for all; he must declare it. In his simple way he told others what the Lord had done for his soul; how he had passed from death unto life, and was saved. And he has been found from that day to this, in fellowship with others of the Lord’s people, worshipping and serving Him.
A word with you, dear reader, before we close. What do you think of all this? It’s not a thing to be laughed at. Are you skeptical about it? Is it all a delusion? Is there nothing in it? Or is this but one sample of thousands of the true and only way in which God brings souls to Himself.
Rest assured it is no dream, but a solid reality. Christendom is filled with professors and imitations, but conversion is a reality, and without it there is not a ray of hope for you. Scripture is plain, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “Ye must be born again” (John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)).
Have you undergone this great change? If not, we beseech you to look this momentous matter in the face. Take your place in self-judgment before God, believe on His Son, and everlasting life will be yours also, for “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). But the same sure word declares, “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” May your heart be opened to believe on that Blessed One, that you too, like J― K― may be filled with joy and peace, and be found worshipping, following, and serving Him. E. H. C.