Mr. R. had godly parents who had instructed him in the truth, but these instructions had reached his mind only and not his heart. He had many times had the way of salvation pointed out to him, but there was no beauty in Jesus that he should desire Him. Jesus was nothing to him.
Earnestly and repeatedly did friends remonstrate with him, but all to no avail. Indifference—cold, heartless indifference seemed to characterize him and envelop him as a cloak.
Years passed on, but there was no change in him. A cyclone passed through the country, where he lived. Houses on either side of his were partially blown down, but Mr. R’s house escaped with very little damage and no loss of life, while dead and dying were on both sides of him, and he employed in waiting on them. Anxious friends thought, surely God will speak to him through this. For the “great and strong wind” had wrought sad havoc. But no! for him, “The Lord was not in the wind.” The same dreadful indifference still wrapped him about. Other trials came but they brought no change to this one who was encased in an armor which it seemed nothing would pierce.
One Sunday afternoon he went with some of his children to attend a Sunday school about a mile away. That afternoon, the person who was in charge of the school brought out some very wrong teaching. He maintained that a person may be in Christ and yet sin and be lost. Mr. R., who was familiar with the letter of Scripture, could not sit still, under such teaching as that and have his own and other children so wrongly informed; so he arose and stated clearly the imperishable character of the life which the believer has; and the security of the sheep that is held in the Shepherd’s hand, pointing out scripture to uphold these statements. This led to quite a discussion and it was much later than usual when the school was dismissed.
The children went on to their homes, but those who were specially interested still lingered to talk these questions over more fully, and when finally they separated, it was growing dark. Mr. R. was hurrying home to attend to his evening work, and on the way crossed a large field to save some steps. When about the middle of the field he was arrested by the thought that these precious truths which he had been bringing before others, were not for him, for he was unsaved.
One who was held in the hand of Jesus could never be plucked out, but he was not held in that blessed hand; one, who had everlasting life, could never perish, but he did not have this wonderful life. Jesus, whose love and whose mercy are so great, was not his Saviour. Ah! it was now the voice of the Lord to his soul. The “still, small voice” had reached him. Conscience stricken, he fell upon his knees on the grass and besought the Lord for mercy. When he arose he was a saved man, and went on his way rejoicing.
Do you not think, dear children, that the Lord was very gracious in bearing so long with one who was utterly indifferent to Him, and finally bringing him in this strange way to Himself?
Let us praise Him for His goodness, for He is “wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.”
R.
ML 06/10/1900