About four years ago a gentleman came to my cottage to engage a room for a night's lodging. He arrived about seven in the evening, and as I carried his luggage into his room, he announced that he would be out late as he was going to a dance.
"But," said he, "please call me at six o'clock in the morning. I have a preaching engagement on Sunday, and I have a long way to go tomorrow.”
Surprised, I said, "A preaching engagement, sir? I assume then that you are one of God's servants?”
"I am a clergyman," he replied.
He was very gracious in his manner, and after some conversation I said, "May I ask you, sir, how long you have known the forgiveness of your sins?”
"No one can ever know that "in this world," he answered quickly.
"I beg your pardon, sir, in so saying, but the Scripture says, 'we have the forgiveness of sins' in Christ, 'redemption through His blood.'" (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)).
"That may be," he replied. "But we go on sinning every day.”
"Yes; but are we pardoned sinners or unpardoned ones? What does this mean: 'Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake?'" (1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12).)
"Well," said the gentleman, "I am a clergyman, but I have never been spoken to like this before in my life!”
As he hastily prepared to leave, I begged his pardon for having delayed him. "Oh, no," said he, very kindly, "I should like a long talk with you.”
I called him early next morning. He was soon dressed and came to my room to say, "I do wish I could have a long talk with you, but I must hurry to catch the train.”
"It is a most solemn thing," I answered, "to preach to lost souls without knowing that one's own sins are pardoned. What if God held you responsible for the destiny of those souls?”
"Will you pray for me?" he asked. "That will help more than anything.”
I told him I would indeed pray for him, and, if he would read it, I would send him a book I valued.
"Oh, yes," he replied, "if you will be so kind." Taking out his pencil and a piece of paper, he gave me his address; and so we parted.
For a while I heard nothing from him. Then I received a long letter in which he confessed that he wanted to know the forgiveness of sins.
Again a long silence followed. When I heard from him again, he told me that he was very ill. I at once wrote him a line of sympathy, and very soon received a letter of thanks.
Ah, what a different letter was this one! He wrote: "Oh! what desire and yearnings I have to see my Savior face to face, and to know Him even as I am known!" He explained that during his illness he had learned his own unworthiness and total dependence on God. And now he longed to preach Christ crucified for poor lost souls, and to lead others into the light of His love.
Such is the zeal of every new-born soul. He longs to tell others of the joy he has found in the perfect efficacy of the Savior's cleansing power.