For years Bill Bowen had been a respected church member. His name on the church roll showed him as being in good standing. But it was not so toward heaven. His heart was not at rest. Mere profession finally disgusted him; he threw it overboard, and for twelve years tried to be a skeptic.
But now two strange preachers had come to the vicinity, and Bill Bowen had gone to hear them. The preaching seemed different from what he had heard before. Man as a sinner and Christ as a Savior were clearly brought to view, and the love of God toward man was proclaimed as He is shown in the gift of His beloved Son.
On the night mentioned, a voice seemed to say to him, "Thou art the man,"—a sinner—a lost sinner—one who richly deserves the wrath of God. Deep was his exercise now. At the close, on being asked if he thought he was saved, he gave a very decisive "No"; but in his heart he wanted to be. He invited us to go home with him, and upon reaching it, expressed his great desire to know how he, a sinful man, could be saved.
We sought to show him what Jesus had accomplished on the cross for sinners; that this was the only work through which a sinner could be saved. We told him that God was perfectly satisfied with that finished work, and that because of that cross, God now could in righteousness receive and save all who believe on Jesus. We besought him to take God at His Word, and to rest on Christ wholly for salvation. Then the forgiveness of sins and eternal life would be his.
Since darkness still seemed to prevail in his soul, we got upon our knees and cried to God, beseeching Him to burst this dark cloud, and make the light to shine upon this dear man right now!
He cried out, "Yes, Lord, right now!"
We paused a few moments before we rose to our feet. We knew our prayer was answered when dear Bill came across the floor, and with both hands laying hold of us, while tears ran down his cheeks, he exclaimed, "Thank God! I do accept Him right now—right now! And I am saved."