One Lord's Day evening several Christians were gathered together and were telling of the marvelous ways of God in saving their souls. Among them, silent but attentive, was a young man in uniform. At last he was asked to tell of his conversion. He hesitated a while, and then told his story.
"My dear father and mother faithfully sought to rear me in the fear of God. I well remember their prayers for my salvation and especially how they wept over me in my early youth. But their loving concern for me only hardened my heart. Finally I threw all their exhortations to the wind and plunged into a life of sin.
"As I fell lower and lower in degradation, I completely forgot God and His claims. To get away from my parents' nagging,' as I called it, I left home and joined the army. For several weeks I kept my whereabouts secret; but when I learned I was to go overseas, I went home for a brief visit. In his love for me my father sought to buy my release from military service, but I would not hear of it. My dear mother implored me on her knees not to continue in the army. With tears she cried, 'My son, my only child, don't break your mother's heart. Do not invite God's wrath upon you.'
"Such love deeply touched me and I almost gave in. I loved my parents, but hated their religion; so in spite of their pleadings, I went. Shortly after my departure my dear mother was taken sick, and, heartbroken over her prodigal boy, she died, praying for me.
"While we were on the high seas, one day I discovered that my mother had put a small Bible in my bag—another token of her love and care for me. What did I do? In anger I threw the hated Book as far as I could out into the open sea.
"On foreign soil, I went from bad to worse, throwing off all restraint. When I think back on my awful course, I hang my head in shame. But what did I care then for the awful consequences of such a life? Only the grace of God could arrest one on such a downward path.
"One day, as usual, I was on the way to a tavern with several of my buddies. Suddenly in the distance I heard singing—a hymn I had known years ago. I stood still and listened. Strange thoughts filled my mind and tears came to my eyes. I thought of home, of my parents, and the sorrows I had caused them. I trembled at the thought of my sins against God and of the wrath of the Almighty. My buddies, observing the sudden change that had come over me, made fun of it and tried to cheer me up; but finding it was no use, they soon left me alone.
"In spite of myself I was drawn toward the place where I had heard the singing. There a missionary was preaching to a group of natives. Hiding behind the hedge, I drank in every word. When the speaker finished he announced a time when he would preach again in the same place.
"How miserable I was! How could I find peace? I had no Bible and no one in all the regiment had one. On the appointed day, I again hid in the same spot and devoured all the preacher said; but it only increased my misery.
"Up to this time I had been the leader in all the wickedness of my group. My companions knew nothing of my deep exercise and sought to draw me back to them, but to no avail. While some of them pleaded, others mocked; but all ridiculed and scorned me. At last in desperation I told them of my deep conviction of sinfulness. I warned them too of the awful doom that awaits all who continue in such a state, and that our only hope was to repent and turn to the Lord. This created an uproar! Some cried, 'You're mad!' Others said, 'Take another drink and forget this foolishness!'
"I hunted in vain for a Bible. One day a carefully wrapped package was handed to me. On it was written, 'The Holy Bible.' Expressing my hearty thanks I ran to the barracks to open my treasure. To my horror I discovered, not a Bible, but a deck of cards! My comrades, who in the meantime had gathered around, laughed and shouted, 'Splendid! Serves him right!'
"To escape the taunts and mockings of my buddies, I spent my free hours in the woods and fields, sometimes returning to the place where I had first heard the preacher. I often prayed for a Bible; and one day, to my joy and surprise, I found one in that very spot. Overcome with gratitude to God, I dropped on my knees and thanked Him for this precious gift. I had scarcely finished my prayer of thanksgiving, when the missionary appeared. He said that a few days before, while waiting for the hour of the meeting, he had heard me praying for a Bible and had decided to leave one for me.
"Thereafter, this man of God sought to show me the way of salvation. I had been in much confusion and in fear and trembling because of my sins. Now I learned that the precious blood of Christ had blotted them all out, and that there was no wrath or judgment for those who believe. My past life was abhorrent to me when I saw the cause for and the completeness of Christ's work of redemption. The words of the Apostle were precious to me: 'Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.'
"From then on I had only one question, 'Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?' What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?'
"I decided that very evening I would read a chapter from the Bible to the men in my barracks; but how Satan tried to thwart me! Striving, to drown my voice, my mates began to shout and curse. Ignoring them as best I could, I continued to read, and followed this program each day. Before long some of the more serious minded gathered around me, and listened attentively to the Word of God. May God bless it to their souls.
"As soon as our regiment was shipped back to our native land, I obtained a furlough to visit my father and hurried home, anxious to confess my guilt and shame and to beg his forgiveness. When at last I saw the little house, oh, what painful regrets I had! Turning the corner in the street so familiar to me, I was stopped by an approaching funeral procession.
"Among the mourners I recognized a relative, and questioned him as to who was being buried. Told that it was my own dear father, I stood motionless, stricken with grief. At last, when I could again move, I followed the procession to the cemetery. Overcome with grief and oblivious to all around me, I threw myself across the coffin. What terrible accusations I was hearing all around me! 'This is the prodigal son that caused his father's gray hairs, and brought him down in sorrow to the grave.'
"This awful charge was only too true! What would I not have given to have changed all this! It was too late, forever too late! My sorrow was almost more than I could bear, but in this awful moment the Lord sustained me. The thoughts of His love and forgiveness comforted me. Daily I experience new proofs of His mercy and goodness. Now He keeps me in the path, and I will trust Him for the future. Praise His name!"
With these words the soldier finished his story. All present were deeply moved, and humbly knelt in praise and thanksgiving for the abundant grace so fully manifested to this prodigal.
Translated from "Samenkorner" by J. B.