IT WAS a pitch-dark night. Along the lonely road traveled a single horseman. The saddle-bags bulged. The horse itself was a handsome bay, and his master rode him well and fearlessly.
Presently the road ended in a rough field. Robbers were known to lurk there, especially on dark nights, yet this strange horseman never slackened his pace or looked to his pistols. Instead he began to sing.
“Halt!” — the song was interrupted by the fierce word, while a rough hand seized the horse’s bridle — “Your money or your life!”
John Wesley — for he it was — humorously searched his pockets for the very small amount he had. The robber swore as he took it, and then rapidly searched the bulging saddle-bags, only to find them heavy with Bibles and booklets. Then he turned away.
“Stop you,” called out Wesley, “I wish to say something.”
Thinking that this strange man might be going to deliver up something of more value than the shabby purse with its meagre contents, the robber stopped.
“My friend,” said Mr. Wesley solemnly, “the time may come when you may regret this kind of life you are living. Then remember this, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7))
Across the field sped the man of God and away in another direction hurried the robber. Wesley’s poor little purse lay in his pocket, but Wesley’s parting words lay heavier on the robber’s heart. Over and over again he repeated it — “From all sin — us — from all sin.”
Many years after a great crowd of people were pouring out of a well-known church. They had been listening to a well-known preacher — the same John Wesley. Many waited around the steps to see him as he left the building, but he lingered a long while within, and why?
A stranger had entered and introduced himself to Mr. Wesley. It was the robber — now a respectable, wealthy businessman.
The verse spoken by the servant of God on that dark night years before had wrought a wonderful work. That single verse had been the means of his soul’s salvation.
Turning from his wicked course, the robber turned to the Bible and read there of the blood speaking better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:2424And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)). On leaving his criminal career he became a follower of Christ—a Christian indeed.
“To you I owe it all,” he said as he kissed Wesley’s hand.
“Nay, my friend,” replied Wesley, “not to me, but to God’s wonderful love!”
ML-10/06/1974