Lou Hill was saved. As to the reality of his conversion there could be no question, for with superb boldness he had proclaimed to all his erstwhile friends in gangland his now complete fealty to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as he had gone all out in his rebellion against society and in adopting the gangster's life and creed of lawlessness, his whole soul turned now to denunciation of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." With humble adoration for his Savior, the lowly Nazarene, Lou Hill's one object was to glorify God in honoring His dear Son.
Only one tie still bound Lou to his gangster pals. In his realization of the depth of the mercy of God in saving such a sinner as he, his heart was softened towards these men, hardened criminals though he knew them to be. How he longed for their salvation! Their own wicked hearts formed the barrier.
Many of these underworld characters still have regard for things religious. To these Lou Hill's confession of faith in Christ was commendable and deserved their tolerance, but certainly not their personal acceptance. To others, some of whom had watched with suspicion, jealousy, and hatred as he climbed the ladder of success in gangdom, anything Lou Hill did could only be a chance for his personal advancement. To them it was incomprehensible that a trusted bodyguard of the most notorious gangster in America should abdicate that coveted place in favor of becoming a nobody.
All these thoughts passed through Lou Hill's mind one morning as he drove his old car towards the cathedral. The papers had announced the funeral on this date of one of Lou's former associates. He knew that many of the underworld would attend, and perhaps his old boss would be among them.
As the converted gangster's car drew near the cathedral, the crowds increased so that traffic was practically blocked. Pulling to an opening near the curb, Lou stepped out and looked around. He was near enough to the church's entrance to see those now coming out, but his blocked view was hindered somewhat by the moving crowd. Climbing onto the hood of his car, he was in better position to see and be seen.
The massive bronze casket was borne slowly and carefully down the few steps to the walk and then was slipped into the waiting hearse. As Lou's eyes left that solemn scene, they traveled up the steps again to the entrance. Just then, two well-built, alert men stepped out and stood looking over the crowd. Almost imperceptibly one nodded, and Lou's old boss joined them.
Quickly Lou's hands formed a megaphone around his mouth and his strong voice called out, "Hi, Al!"
Startled, Al's eyes followed the sound. As they rested on Lou, he smiled and shouted back: "Hi, Lou! How's the Jesus' racket?"
Instantly the answer was trumpeted: "Fine, Al. I don't need a bodyguard, for my life is hid with Christ in God. And all my treasure is laid up in the safety vaults of heaven."
This exchange of greetings was heard by an interested throng now moving more rapidly from the area. Al and his bodyguards stepped into a waiting limousine, and Lou scrambled off his perch and into his car. As it moved into the stream of traffic, the ex-gangster's heart overflowed with thanksgiving to God for the privilege of bearing even this small witness to his Lord and Savior's keeping power before his former associates. Would it bear fruit?