One afternoon, wearied from making house-to-house visits, the air of the overcrowded houses having been so oppressive, I turned into a quiet little street. Opening my Bible, I read aloud the story of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5).
Attracted by such an unusual proceeding, several persons gathered around me. Others stood at the doors or at uplifted windows, and listened to the wonderful ancient story.
I next told of sin, of its leprous character, of the blood of cleansing, and in conclusion urged each hearer to—
"Prove the value of the blood of Jesus crucified.”
I was about to leave when a woman with a pleasant face, and neatly dressed, came out of a house opposite to where I had been standing, and approached me, saying respectfully: "Pardon me, sir, but will you come and speak to my brother?”
"Gladly, madam," I replied, and followed her into the house.
"None of your preaching here; a lot of canting hypocrites! None of it here; that's what I say." Such were the words which greeted my ears as I followed my conductress into the room from which the sounds proceeded. There, on a bench, sat a big man about forty years old clad in a butcher's blouse. There also were his wife and three children, one a little crippled girl about six years old.
My entrance put a stop to the man's loud talk. Sitting down beside him I took from my pocket some books, and gave one with pictures to the little cripple. Then selecting a copy of a monthly magazine I read to them one of the interesting stories it contained.
"How pretty!" said the little cripple.
"It's beautiful!" exclaimed the wife.
"Not much the matter with that," added the man.
Folding up the paper, I offered it to him. "You are welcome to this, my friend; and I will soon come and read to you again.”
For many weeks I called regularly. Each time I read other interesting stories. The man was quite civil, and the little cripple was delighted to see me.
Very soon the wife began to attend the mission services. After a year of earnest and persevering prayer, the husband too came to the meeting and heard the story of redeeming love.
About this time the wife saw that he was making great efforts and forming strong resolutions to leave off his wicked habits, and was trying to free himself from his evil companions.
Their eldest daughter (a fine young woman about nineteen years of age) came home from the service very ill. She rapidly grew worse, lingered a few weeks and died. Her death was a sad blow to the little family, but the father's heart was not yet ready to receive Christ.
A few months after the death of his daughter, something occurred which showed that the Holy Spirit was working mightily to turn the man. I missed him from his usual place at the meeting Lord's Day evening. On the following Tuesday he was again absent from the Bible class. The next day I called at his house to inquire after him, fearing he was ill.
With downcast looks and stammering tongue, he said, "Mr. Fuller, I am a bad man.”
I shall never forget his look of horror and penitence as he continued, "On last Saturday I cursed my children; I am a wretch to do such a thing." As the tears started in his eyes, again he said, "I cursed my children, I did.”
He had returned from the slaughter house very tired and despondent. In the little back yard he lay down on a bench and fell asleep. The children were sent to awake him. While thus sleepy, muddled, and annoyed at being aroused, the old nature showed itself in oaths and curses; but the Holy Spirit was there also, and His convicting power was felt. Horror-stricken at what he had done, the man felt himself to be "vile," and in bitterness of soul he now said, "I am a bad man.”
Brought now to feel his state, to see his condition as guilty and perishing, I showed him his desperate case was met by the boundless love of God in saving the lost through Christ Jesus. When by faith he saw that the Lord of glory had taken his place and suffered in his stead, with trembling voice he confessed, "I am like one of them things took out of the fire!”
A gentleness of manner and a kindliness of speech became habitual to him; love filled his breast, and peace and concord dwelt at home. His wife and family felt the change, and praised the name of the Lord. He was now an "epistle of Christ" and a wonder unto many. With him "old things had passed away." (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).