SOME time since a tall, strong Swede came day after day to the Strangers’ Rest, 24, Park Lane, Liverpool. He looked so very sad that many thought he must have been grieving for the friends from whom he had so recently parted in his home in Sweden.
Soon the day came for the emigrants to embark for America. In taking leave of them, many felt drawn to the depressed, heart-stricken man who had been so constant in his attendance at the readings.
A lady said to him that, just before the Lord departed, He gave a new name to the Holy Spirit― “The Comforter.” He promised His disciples to send them “The Comforter.”
The poor man put his hand on his forehead, saying he was indeed troubled; that his conscience kept him miserable, that he understood all that had been said of the love and invitations of the Lord Jesus Christ to sinners, but he said, “I am too bad to be saved! . . . I am hard and sorrowful!”
A beautiful text came into the mind of the person he addressed; so, facing him, she said, “I want you to do something for me. Will you take a handful of stones with you, and when you get well out to sea, just go to the side of the ship and throw them overboard? They will make a splash, perhaps, but down they go into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, and not all the engineers in the world could ever get even one of those stones up again.”
The man lifted his hands above his head, and said, “I see it all now, I am a forgiven sinner. It is all quite clear and plain.”
He departed looking quite relieved and happy, with good gospel books given him by the kind superintendent, who much encouraged him with words of peace and truth.
Such incidents frequently occur. They cause the hearts of those who hold forth the Word of life to rejoice with the Son of God, who now rejoices in the presence of the angels of God over every sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15)