An old Puritan named Doolittle (actually he was a diligent worker and did a great deal) was preaching when a young man entered the congregation and took a seat near the front. He tried to keep as near to the end of the bench as he could, so that he might easily slip out; but he was obliged to keep moving towards the wall as others kept filling the seats. He soon became so jammed in that he could not get away.
The preacher was setting forth the glories of Christ, and all at once looked up to the right side of the gallery, and said to an old man sitting there: "Friend, are you sorry that you came to Christ so many years ago?" The old man stood up and said, "No, sir. I rejoice that I have known Him so long; and He is becoming more precious to me."
Turning to another old man on his left, the preacher said, "Are you sorry that you came so soon to Jesus?" "No, sir; but I am sorry that I did not come sooner," was his reply.
The preacher turned and looking down on the young man said, "Have you come to Jesus?"
The young man did not know what to say. So the preacher said again: "Young man, have you come to Christ?" and this time received for an answer, "No, sir."
"Are you willing to come?"
The young man looked up again and said, "Yes."
"And when will you come― now?"
Having fully gained his attention, the preacher set before him a waiting Christ. And the young man was brought to Christ that night.