In a small Mission Room, off one of the crowded thoroughfares of a large city, a few earnest Christian workers gathered a number of poor and needy children, for whom they provided every Lord’s day afternoon, a free supper, and afterwards spoke to them on the Word of God. Many were by this means reached with the gospel, who would not otherwise have heard it.
A poor boy, called by his comrades “Will,” heard the singing, and stood listening at the door. The last line of the chorus, repeated after each verse was,
“Whosoever will, may come.”
This arrested Will’s attention. He was sure the “Will” applied to him, but what the “Whosoever” meant, he did not know. A gentleman passed as Will stood listening, and touching his cap, Will asked, “Please, sir, can you tell me what ‘Whosoever’ means?” The gentleman smiled, and replied, “Yes, my boy, ‘whosoever’ means anybody; you, if you like.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Will, returning to the Mission Room door as fast as he could run. It now stood half open, and Will, removing his cap, walked in, and received a warm welcome. After the hymn, the supper was served, and then a short gospel address was given, telling how that “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 3:1616For 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).
Will went to that humble room for many a day, and there he was converted and now follows Christ.
Have you learned that “whosoever will” means anybody, you, if you like? Have you taken your place and claimed God’s gift, as Will claimed the invitation to “whosoever will,” at the Mission Room supper that day? God still says to you,
But this sweet invitation will not be continued forever: A day will come when God’s door will be closed, and all who have refused to obey His invitation will be shut out for Eternity.
Then another “Whosoever” will be made known;
ML 01/26/1936