I WAS an infidel and belonged to the Ethical Society. We occupied our Sunday evenings in reading such books as a translation of Marcus Aurelius, to prove that Christianity was taught in the world before Jesus Christ came (a lifeless thing, like a watch without a mainspring, or an electric bell without a battery). A certain “minister” came to our Society meeting, and wished to instruct us in the truth of Christianity! But he told us he did not believe in the first five books of the Bible, written by Moses, nor in miracles. One of us said, after getting outside the house, “I believe in nothing; but that man believes in less.”
Soon after this I was brought under deep conviction of sin, and converted to God. About a fortnight later I was in a large open-air meeting, and saw the minister of whom I have spoken coming along with two others. I went up to him and asked him if he knew me. He said, “Yes, you were a member of the class.” I then asked him if he remembered saying he did not believe in miracles. He replied, he did not believe in them. “Well,” I said, “here’s a miracle for you. A fortnight ago I did not believe in anything, and now I am preaching the Gospel! “Then he caught hold of me, and wanted me to go to a chapel in the village, to a revival meeting. But I said “No;” that I believed the Lord wanted me to go to another Gospel meeting. So we parted. He went his way, and I mine.
And now, my reader, what about you? Have you believed in the same blessed Saviour in whom I have believed? Have you bowed to the same Lord? (He is rich unto all who call upon Him.) Have you bowed to the One who can perform such a miracle of grace as He did with me, and who is doing the same with numbers of others every day? He brought me, after deep exercise and soul-trouble, to Himself; though once a wretched infidel and blasphemer (see 1 Tim. 1:12-1712And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12‑17)). And not only can He convert, He can keep through His grace. For the past sixteen or seventeen years He has kept me (Jude 24, 2524Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24‑25)).
“Oh, believe in Him today;
Come to Him while yet you may;
Trust in Him whom God has given,
God’s accepted Man in heaven.”
E. L.