In the southwest of Ireland, in early days, there were few facilities for education, especially among the poor. Tom, who was brought up there, never learned to read or write, and this naturally proved a handicap to him all his life.
In later years he came to Glasgow and got employment as a dock worker. He was working with others who like himself led a very rough and drunken life, but on one memorable evening, he was invited to a gospel meeting in the district where he lived. He was much impressed by the word of salvation and decided for Christ that night. His wife also was converted and shared the new-found joy with him.
This meant for him a complete change in his life and, in explaining his conversion to his fellow-workers, he used to take three pieces of paper, placing them in a row. He would point to the first and say, “This is Tom Cassidy,” and the next, “This is Satan,” and the third, “This is Jesus.”
Then he went on, “Before I was converted, Satan stood between me and Jesus, but when I trusted Jesus that night at the gospel meeting, He said to Satan, ‘Get thee behind Me, Satan.’” Then lifting the middle piece of paper, he placed it beyond the third piece, saying, “Now Jesus has been between me and Satan ever since.” He proved the power of the Lord to keep him all his life through.
His last years were his happiest, and he delighted to take his part in the holy service of God with other Christians, pouring out his heart in responsive praise to the Lord Jesus.
When he was finally laid low with cancer and taken to the hospital, he begged to be allowed to go home again that he might die there, where some of his former fellow-workmen could visit him, and he would be able to speak to them and show them how a Christian can die. His brightness never left him, and the Lord took him to Himself.
He could be reckoned among the poor, but he possessed much wealth in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and was deeply impressed with the fact that his name was registered in heaven — he was well known there.
Has the reader the definite assurance and joy that old Tom had? This was the result of simple faith in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit which God gives to those who obey Him.
ML 11/19/1961