"George, I had a real experience last week. I was invited out to lunch with Bob. He was on vacation. I accepted, and we had a real nice time over the Word.
"When I was ready to leave for home, Bob's wife said, 'Vern, you have just got to go and visit Al. Did you know he is dying with cancer?'
"Well, I knew the man—at least, I knew him to be an infidel, or the same as one. So Bob said, 'Let us pray about your going.'
"We got on our knees, and earnestly asked the Lord to give courage and wisdom. So when we rose from prayer, Bob said, 'Vern, I am going to stay home and keep praying for you. You go, and I will pray.'
I realized then that I was on the spot, and could not refuse to carry out this mission. I knew too that this man had been visited by a number of persons interested in his welfare. He was reported to be a terrible character, cruel to his family, and had even chased his wife from the room because she tried to read the Bible to him. He would have nothing to do in any way with God.
"To make a long story short, I went to Al's home. His wife greeted me very coolly at the door. I said, `Can I visit your husband for a few minutes?'
"She said, 'Yes, I guess you can; he is in the back room.'
"I went in, and what a sight! Al was just skin and bones—a terrible sight to look at.
"Al greeted me with an oath, and kept on cursing. I could see and hear the open rebellion in his heart. He was not going to give me a chance to say even a word.
So I thought, 'How am I ever going to speak to this man about his soul?'
"Then I thought of Bob at home praying, and I just said very timidly to myself, 'Lord, please help me.'
"The man stopped talking! His cursing ceased, and I spoke to him very gently and tenderly about the love of the Lord Jesus.
"At first there was a look of hatred on his face. His eyes became cold as steel. He even made a terrible face at me! But he never spoke a word, and I kept on talking. After some minutes of this, he looked up at me, and such a helpless look it was! I could see that the Spirit of God was striving with this poor unsaved soul.
"Ere long Al began to cry. He confessed what a terrible man he had been. I could only quote some scriptures, especially part of Romans 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22): FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE,' and the first part of verse 23, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED.'
"This seemed to make him consider his soul's condition and soon I left him, but not before he made me promise that I would see him again the next day. I knew that the Spirit of God would do the rest, and I need not press him further.
"The next day I went back and his wife greeted me at the door, all smiles. She at once invited me to his room. Al took my hand, and with tears flowing down his cheeks, said, 'Alt three o'clock this morning I took your Savior as my Savior.'
"Such a change had come over this dear soul! No fear of death any more. No more cursing and blaspheming, but just simply trusting in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus. I was with him about two hours, and we read and talked together. I went back the next day and took Bob with me to see this work of God. Even his wife said it was a miracle. People along the road who knew him could not understand the change that had come over him—that is, the unsaved ones; but we know that it was the Lord's work, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
"Surely this was a brand plucked from the burning. He lived only a few days after this, and went to be with the Lord rejoicing in his new-found Savior. How precious to know that we shall see dear Al again when the assembling shout gathers all the redeemed home."