SOME years ago George Charlton was traveling by train to another town. In the same coach was a drunken man, with his wife and a boy about twelve. The man was quarrelsome and was making a nuisance of himself to everyone in the car. His poor wife tried her best to keep him quiet but without avail.
Noting the embarrassment of the woman, and wanting to help the poor drunken man if he could, Mr. Charlton asked the man if he might sing to him. The man readily agreed.
Mr. Chariton sang two well-known hymns, and the effect on the drunken man was noticeable to all in the car, for he calmed down at once. The train soon reached its destination, and the woman thanked Mr. Charlton heartily.
It was many years afterward that Mr. Charlton was invited to speak at a meeting in a town in that district. A fine-looking gentleman met him at the station before the meeting began, and escorted him. After the meeting there was a tea, and an English lady loaded his plate with the good things that had been provided. He also noticed that the gentleman who had met him at the station was paying much attention to his wants. This naturally aroused his curiosity and he called the lady to his side, asking, “Who is that gentleman?”
“He is my husband,” she replied. “Mr. Charlton, do you remember many years ago, singing for a drunken man to keep him quiet?”
“Why, yes, I do,” answered Mr. Charlton.
“Well, sir, that is the man and I am the poor woman who thanked you for singing those hymns. It led him to see the error of his ways. He gave his heart to Christ, and so did I, sir, because of the impression that singing made on us. We now have the happiest home and we owe it all to God, and you and the hymns.”
Mr. Charlton, rejoiced with the happy couple, and then inquired further about their son.
“When my husband was saved,” said the woman, “we soon had a nice home, and Joe, our boy, was anxious to get an education and so we sent him to school. Today he is a preacher of the gospel.”
Yes, there is wonderful power in song, to restore a sin-sick soul to the Saviour, whose own birth was heralded with angel voices, and whose shed blood makes it possible for “whosoever will” to sing the words of that beautiful hymn:
“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Why ‘neath the load of your sins do ye toil?
Christ giveth rest.
Why be in slavery, why Satan’s spoil?
You may be blest.
Christ now invites you sweet rest to receive,
Heavy’s your burden, but He can relieve,
If but this moment in Him you believe,
You shall have rest.
ML-05/22/1960