MY BOY, who was a bright and happy Christian, said to me one day: “Dad, we’re going to have a gospel tent meeting. Will you come?”
I replied, “I won’t promise, such things are not in my line.” I was a drunkard and a gambler.
One Sunday I was playing cards and gambling all day, and lost every penny I possessed. When I came out of the house I turned up the hill to have a walk in the country. I felt as miserable as a man could be. I saw the gospel tent and went in. The evangelist was preaching from the words, “Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25). I thought, “If that is true, then there is hope for me.”
At the close of the meeting, I asked the preacher if he would tell me more about what he had been talking about. He sat down by my side with his Bible, and showed me how “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,... and that He rose again,” and as a living Saviour, He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. I knew my need of a Saviour. I had nothing, I could do nothing, so—
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.
I went home and told my wife and children. I did not have a Bible, but I knelt down and prayed as best I could. I then went and told a bookie I had several bets on with, that I was saved, and the bets were off—that there would be no more drinking and gambling for me. I told my old mates, but they said it would not last. My salvation was the real work of the Holy Spirit and it is bound to last. He has saved me, and He will keep me. My wife is saved too. Oh! what a change; and tears of joy run down my face as I think of the wonderful love of God to me.
Suffer a sinner whose heart overflows,
Loving his Saviour, to tell what he knows.
Once more to tell it, would I embrace—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace.
ML-03/23/1969