Sir Henry Norton began his military career as an officer. He became, in due time, military secretary to the government of India, and subsequently a colonial governor in the West Indies and Australia.
The story of his conversion is interesting. His sister had been converted to God, and, after much entreaty, persuaded her brother to accompany her to a mission service held in a little village in Somersetshire by the late Lord Radstock.
The preaching room was packed. It was a time of real spiritual awakening. The power of God was felt.
At the close of the service Lord Radstock announced the well-known hymn:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee;
O Lamb of God, I come.”
He requested that only those who could sing the hymn truthfully should take part in the singing.
This thoroughly upset the young officer. With anger and resentment in his heart he kept silent.
Once outside the building he exclaimed hotly to his sister: "This comes of attending an unauthorized place of worship, and hearing an un-ordained preacher, even if he be a lord. Never will I consent to come here again. Tonight I shall go to a respectable church and hear an ordained clergyman.”
Evening found the young officer at church. The preacher was a man of culture and commanding presence, and (what is becoming very rare) an ardent gospel evangelist.
The service was gone through with proper decorum, and the closing hymn was announced: "Just as I am, without one plea.”
"What," said Sir Henry to himself, "that hymn again! 1 escaped from it this afternoon, and here I am faced by it tonight. God must be speaking to me. God must be speaking to me.”
The Spirit of God pressed this powerfully upon the young officer's soul. The reading of the hymn ceased; the organ struck up the well-known tune; the audience rose. What should he do?
A momentous decision one way or the other must be made! Thank God, it was the right decision. Surrender to Christ was made. The young man with his brilliant prospects before him, with the siren voice of the world calling him to the paths of forgetfulness of God, rose and with a full heart sang the hymn. It was his confession to the Lord of the trust and confidence of his soul in Him as Savior, and his faith in the precious blood shed on Calvary.
Dear reader, you have heard God's invitation. Will you not say in truth, "I come"?