IN THE days of the “Gold rush” in our Western States two men, one a Christian and the other a pressed infidel, were riding through the woods at dusk. They had missed the trail and with night fast approaching they had real cause for alarm. They rode on however, and finally one of them saw a glimmer of light in the distance. They rode hastily toward it and found it to be a prospector’s cabin. They knocked at the door and were invited in.
There lived here a man past middle age with his two stalwart sons. All of them were rather rough-looking, and on the walls hung guns and other weapons. After hearing the travelers tell their story, the old man said: “Well, strangers, you are welcome to stay with us until you are able to get your bearings. Take your saddle-bags into the back room, while the boys take care of your horses, and come out to supper as soon as you can.”
The two strangers retired to the back room, but as they looked at each other both were evidently quite concerned. Then the infidel whispered, “I don’t like these surroundings. I fear these rough-looking people are hurrying us off to bed and when we are asleep they will kill us, and rob us.” His companion was afraid also.
So they agreed that one would stand guard until midnight while the other slept. Then the other would be on guard until morning. The infidel was to take the first watch so he loaded his pistols and got ready.
Just at that moment they were called to supper. The meal was plain but wholesome, and no one spoke while they were eating.
After supper the old man broke the silence with these words: “Now, gentlemen, it has always been my custom to read a chapter of the Word of God after supper, and if you have no objection I will read now.” The Christian gladly gave his consent, and the infidel seemed pleased and relieved at the suggestion.
The old man reached up to a shelf and pulled down a large well-worn copy of the Word of God, and read a chapter with great reverence. Then he knelt in prayer and thanked God for His kindness and mercy toward them, for the gift of His Son, and for the salvation that was brought about by His death, burial, and resurrection. He thanked God for the day when he as a lost sinner found peace, joy, and rest in trusting His finished work. The old saint (for so he was) prayed further for the two strangers that were under his roof, asking his heavenly Father to bless them, and prosper them on their journey, and guard and guide and protect them; and if they were still strangers to God’s salvation to save them. Finally he asked God that they all might meet on “the golden street of heaven.”
The strangers retired to their room. The infidel quickly got into the bed, threw his heavy coat over himself and was just settling down to sleep when his companion said, “What about our agreement? You were to watch until midnight. What has removed your fears?” The question was to the point, and the infidel could not avoid it, though he would have liked to. He finally had to admit that it was the presence and reading of the Bible and the old man’s prayer that removed his fears. Said the Christian, “Is that not a great testimony for the Bible?” The other had to admit that it was.
Some say this story didn’t end here but that the infidel peered into the sacred pages of God’s Word and had all his fear removed concerning death and hell, by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
There is no rest and peace and joy apart from that which was accomplished by “the Cross of Christ.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
ML-11/03/1974