OLD George was a queer character; he liked his beer, and plenty of it, with much strong tobacco. He took a great delight in poaching; if he knew rabbits were plentiful in the woods and burrows, an irresistible longing came over him to snare them; and rest he could not until he had done so. Any stray pheasants and other game he could find were quickly converted into ale and smoke. He was withal so meek and quiet a man; with such natural suavity, “that butter would hardly melt in his month,” as his most intimate acquaintances said; and he was generally liked, though always out at elbows and down at heel. He had a wife and a large family, but the children depended mostly upon their mother for their support. There was a quiet yieldingness and respectful demeanor about old George that generally won its way to the heart and pocket of his patrons, although their game did not increase so fast as should have been the case under other and more favorable circumstances.
The time however came when old George could no longer go out at night upon his surreptitious sporting excursions: he was confined to his bed by a severe attack of erysipelas. As great a sinner as George had but just before been converted in the same parish; and he in his desire to work for his Saviour determined to visit old George, who was now so ill. Before doing so he asked an old Christian what was a suitable portion of the Scripture to read to such a one. “John 3,” he replied. Armed with this the young convert goes off to see the old poacher.
George, thinking there might be some silver to come, allows our friend to read and pray with him, though not much liking his spiritual medicine; but, a trifle being left to purchase food, the young physician was asked to call again. He went and continued to do so day after day, reading and praying with the patient, until at last old George could not sleep at night, or even stay in the room without a candle.
He began to remember all the rabbits, &c. he had stolen; and all the naughtiness he had done. This went on until he saw himself a convicted sinner before a holy God, with the words “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God;” “There is none righteous no NOT ONE.” “It is appointed unto man once to die and after death the judgment,” ringing in his ears; and hell and eternal judgment staring him in the face. His troubled soul could find no rest in anything or anywhere, until coming to Jesus he first rested in Him, and on His finished work, who had borne the judgment for him. Then poor sin-stricken George passed into peace, made through the blood of the cross. He saw that judgment was behind him, borne by his substitute Jesus; that all his sins were borne by Jesus, and put away by His blood that blots out every sin. He saw that he was accounted righteous in Him; and that a bright eternal glory was awaiting him with Jesus who had so loved him and died for him upon the cross. Poor George now burst forth into praise, singing:
“There is a stream of precious blood, Which flowed from Jesu’s veins,
And sinners washed in that blest flood, Lose all their guilty stains;
The dying thief rejoiced to see, That Saviour in his day,
And by that blood, though vile as he, MY sins are washed away.”
Now he began to pray earnestly for his family. They one by one were saved by simply resting in Jesus and in His finished work. There you may find salvation now. May you know, as George did, the fearfulness of sin, and the love of the Saviour, and find peace in believing.
A. J. B.