(A story used of God in the conversion of Hudson Taylor)
A man named Gardener had been conscious as never before of the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and of the nearness of God. One day, walking up a lonely mountain trail, he had even been startled by a voice apparently behind him, earnestly saying, "Gardener, give Me thy heart."
He turned to face the speaker, but no one was in sight. He was alone under the open sky, alone with an awakened conscience and the all-seeing God.
"My son, give Me thy heart."
His Maker must have spoken. No other voice could stir the soul like that. What should he do? Yes, that was the question.
Long and troubled were his ponderings, for the call was unwelcome. He did not want just then to be a Christian. It would upset his plans, interfere with his prospects of success. No, he must make money first, come what may. That was his prime object in life. Later on, at another time, a "more convenient season," he would reconsider the matter. God was merciful. There would be another chance, he reasoned. And so, deliberately resisting the Holy Spirit, he went on up the hill—went on to meet the tempter in his own strength.
That night, alone in their shack, he saw his partner begin to count a little store of savings as he sat by the fire. Seven one-pound notes lay in his hand. Gardener became interested. Then all at once an overwhelming desire to obtain that money took possession of him. Never before had he felt such a passion for money. All restraints of conscience were swept away. His one, his only thought became, "I must and I will have it. But how?"
Then followed the awful suggestion: "Dead men tell no tales."
Though it meant murder, this aroused neither fear nor compunction. A few hours before, he had been powerfully drawn toward God and happiness and heaven. Now he seemed given up to evil. Three days. and nights went by, while he waited his opportunity. It came at last: and Gardener's hands were stained with the blood of one who had trusted him as his friend.
Did Gardener live to enjoy the one-pound notes he had taken at such a terrible cost? No! He was accused of the crime, convicted, and executed. He left behind all that he valued so highly. "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his o w n soul?" Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
No doubt you, too, dear reader, have had convictions as to your sins, as to God in His holiness, and as to judgment. Perhaps to you, too, God by His Spirit has said, "My son, give Me thy heart." Oh, "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart." Hebrews 4:77Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Hebrews 4:7). You have no promise of tomorrow, for God's time is NOW.
Then take with rejoicing from Jesus at once, The life everlasting He gives; And know with assurance thou never canst die, Since Jesus thy righteousness lives.