The late Dr. Pentecost once met an infidel who scoffed at the idea of anyone putting faith in the Bible. He said, "A good many books of the Bible have no name of the writers attached to them. How can you have any confidence in a book whose authorship is so uncertain and the subject of so much debate?”
"Who wrote the multiplication table?" asked Dr. Pentecost.
"I don't know," replied the infidel.
"What a man you are! You believe it and use it, and yet don't know who was the author of it.”
The infidel saw his difficulty, but thought he had a way out. He said, "But the multiplication table works.”
"Doubtless," replied Dr. Pentecost; "and so does the Bible. It works.”
How true this is! Millions of true Christians all over the world and down the centuries have found out: "The gospel... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16). Everyone who has really trusted the Savior can testify to the truth of this. It works.
A young soldier, Walter Harris, was known as a "bad egg." His army record had been particularly unsavory. As a wild youngster, he had committed every kind of military offense. Every form of punishment short of flogging had been his. He was threatened, if apprehended again, that it would mean a court-martial with the possibility of two years imprisonment and dishonorable discharge from the army.
About this time there came the news of the death of the great preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London. He had spoken to Walter as a boy about his soul, and his death brought this to his remembrance. Threatened now with expulsion from the army, he realized the need of a change in his way of life. He knew an outward change would not do. It must be deeper, a work of God in his soul—conversion, conversion to God, without which there could be no real change nor blessing. Thank God, this took place. He trusted Christ as his Savior, and the change followed.
A few years later found Walter on foreign service in Jamaica. The barracks there are high up at Newcastle on the Blue Mountain Range where it is exceedingly hot during the day and bitterly cold at night. Here Walter and a few Christian comrades often spent an evening together in prayer and Bible readings. These meetings were held on the bleak mountainside, where it was bitterly cold and wind-swept. A hurricane lamp gave them light.
These circumstances being difficult, they decided to ask the commanding officer for the use of a schoolroom once a week for their meetings.
This man, a most efficient soldier, was opposed to anything of a religious nature. Not one of the young Christians felt competent to approach him on such a matter. Feeling the importance of the situation, they decided to make it a matter of prayer for a week that their petition might be granted. Then Walter was chosen to be the mouthpiece for the rest. The interview was sought and granted through the usual channel of sergeant and adjutant. Both of them pitied the young man in the venture he was making, for the colonel of the regiment was known to have no soft side for religion.
Walter made his request and it was point blank refused. "What has your religion ever done for you?" snapped out the colonel.
Walter replied: "Sir, will you look at my defaulter sheet? That will speak better than my words.”
An orderly was summoned and told to produce Walter's defaulter sheet. It was brought, and the orderly withdrew.
"Sir," said Walter, "will you please look at my defaulter sheet?" He mentioned a certain date, explaining that it marked his conversion. He added: "See what entries there are before that date, and what there are afterward.”
The colonel looked with amazement at the sheet. Before the date there was a long list of military offenses, showing how wild and insubordinate Walter had been. After that date there was not a single entry. Christianity, real Christianity, works!
Impressed, the colonel asked Walter to repeat his request, and again he asked for the use of the schoolroom.
"You may have it for two nights a week," snapped out the colonel.
"Thank you, sir; we will provide the oil for the lamps.”
"No, you won't! It will be a charge on the canteen funds. You may go." So he was peremptorily dismissed.
Later on when some of the soldiers desired to have a Sunday evening service, the request was again granted. This led to a time of rich blessing. Quite a number were converted, among them some very unruly ones. In each the power of God was manifested. Christianity, real Christianity, works.
Dear one, will you not accept this wonderful gospel, the good news of Christ, and let it have its power in your life?