For some time we had watched the young policeman on our "beat." He was so kind, so unfailing in his care and thoughtfulness of others, and so evidently happy that we desired to know the source of his steadfastness and joy. When at last we found courage to ask, he told us this simple story: "About six years ago, when I was twenty-five years old, I got married. Coming home unexpectedly a few evenings later I found my wife on her knees praying. I was so horrified and frightened that I slipped out again and thought to myself, 'Well, what shall I do? Oh, to think that I should have been such a fool as to marry a religious woman!' I did not know she was unconverted at that time.
"Hating all religion, and yet being afraid to say anything to her, I actually thought seriously of running away. However, while these thoughts ran through my mind other thoughts came in, and I began to think what an awful sinner I must be. I had never thought of praying and hitherto my life had been completely godless. Now I realized my sinfulness, and my conviction of sin grew deeper and deeper. I never mentioned this to my wife, but I got utterly miserable. I felt I was under condemnation and could not escape.
"I did not know where to turn for relief until at last I thought of one of my 'buddies' whom we all knew to be a 'good' man. Several times each night I met him on my beat and often tried to tell him my trouble; but courage failed me.
"At last one night, driven to desperation, I said to him: `Oh, Joe, what am I to do? I feel I'm such a sinner.'
"Immediately Joe was filled with delight, and grasping me by both hands he said: 'Why, Tom, I'd rather hear this than that they had made me Chief. I thought there was something up these last few days. I noticed you had given up your jokes and tricks with the other men at the station.'
"Then Joe told me of Jesus and His precious blood that cleanseth from all sin. Listening to him I got a measure of peace, but my soul was not really at rest. I was not fully assured of salvation. This feeling grew and grew until at last I considered myself as bad as before if not worse.
"During this time I was so intensely in earnest that I used to pray all the time on my beat. Indeed, I have knelt down at night on the pavement in pouring rain crying to God to do anything to me—let me break my arm, or my leg, or smash me anyhow—but to let me know for certain that I was saved.
"About this time a gospel tent was put up by some preachers near my beat. One night when I was passing, two of them saw me and asked if I would keep an eye on their tent. I agreed to do so, and often heard them preaching; but being on duty, I did not go in.
"One Sunday night I was especially miserable and as I neared the tent I thought I'd just go near the back entrance for a moment. As I came up I heard the preacher repeat the scripture: 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.' John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).
"That was enough for me: now I knew I was saved. Immediately my whole soul was filled with light. Joy and peace came in believing, and have been my portion ever since.
"When I got home that night I told my wife that I was converted-I knew I was saved! Instead of rejoicing with me, she became very angry. Then it was that I learned that my wife was not saved. But the Lord was gracious, and it wasn't long before He saved her, too. Seeing me so happy and sure, she got anxious herself and could not rest until she had the same blessing.”
Weary soul out of Christ, have you heard His Word? 'Tis He Himself who calls: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.