A servant of Christ was going with others to preach in the open air, but there was delay on the part of those who were to accompany him, and time was passing, so he started off by himself. Having reached the spot, he took his stand, and repeated in his beautifully clear tones 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): “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.”
A great powerfully built man thereupon rushed up to him, and, shaking his fist in the preacher’s face, exclaimed, “If you say that again I’ll smash your face for you!”
Alone, and with no friends as yet in sight, Mr. D was in a quandary. But he silently and swiftly looked to the Lord for help and guidance, and then said to his would-be assailant: “I am sure you did not hear what I said, so I will say it again a little louder,” and again he repeated in his clear tones, “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.”
“If you say that again,” cried the man, “I will smash your nose for you.”
“And now I am quite certain you have not heard what I said,” calmly replied Mr. D—, “for no one who heard such beautiful words could think of smashing the nose of the one who said them. I will say them again.” And again he repeated, “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.”
At this, the third time of hearing, the man dropped his arm, and walked quietly away.
Praise be to God, he was converted to Him Who had given His only begotten Son for him, and had sent him the message of love and mercy.
On another occasion, when Mr. D was preaching in the open air, a cabman passing, flicked him with his whip. Mr. D took no notice of this, and went on as if nothing had happened. Not so the cabman, who could not rest till he had put up his horse (losing thereby part of his earnings for the day) and coming to the servant of Christ, expressed his sorrow and asked forgiveness. Let us hope he also felt sorrow for sin, and sought and obtained forgiveness from God.
Dear friend, if you feel yourself to be a sinner in God’s sight, let us say once again in your ear, 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) and more loudly still: “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.”
Can you hear us, friend? Is there any response from you to such a message of love and mercy? Or are you like the one who, spoken to of the Saviour, said he could only think of business. Visited again, on his deathbed, spoken to again of the Saviour, put his hand to his ear. and asked, “Is that the mills I hear grinding? Is that the mills I hear grinding?”
Oh, friend, can you hear us, do you hear us? as, perhaps, for the last time, we cry aloud in your ears: “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.”