There was a warm discussion in the hotel barroom that evening; several guests were engaged in it. One man present, however, listened in silence though evidently deeply interested.
The discussion centered around the superiority of Christianity over other religions. Some contended that while Christianity had its Superiorities, it was only one religion among many. Its excellencies, they maintained, were owed largely to those people who had accepted Christianity as their faith.
The silent man, after listening for some time, came forward and in great seriousness said: "Gentlemen, I know more about Jesus Christ than any one of you; yet I am willing to sell my claim to Him for five dollars."
The shocking proposition startled the company; but concluding that the man was only "under the influence", some sneered and ridiculed. But one of the drinkers took up his offer.
"Do you really mean it?" he asked. "Will you sell out for five dollars?"
"Yes", was the reply, "for just five dollars cash, and that's mighty cheap."
"Are you ready to sell me, here and now, for five dollars, all your right and claim to Jesus Christ?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I said."
"Very well, I'll buy."
"Where's your money? Hand over the five dollars and you may take my rights. I renounce in your favor all claims to Christ Jesus forever."
"Here's your money," said the buyer, producing a five dollar bill," but you must sign a written agreement."
"Draw up the agreement and I'll sign."
An agreement like the following was written:
"For the sum of five dollars, receipt of which I hereby acknowledge, I, (name), now and for-ever sell my right and claim to Jesus Christ as my Savior. I further agree not to trust in Him at any time, nor pray to Him, nor even ask anything of Him through others; neither will I accept anything He may offer me; neither will I, in any way whatsoever, own Him as my Lord and Savior. This agreement is for eternity."
Taking the pen from the writer of the document, the man sat himself at the table ready to sign his name.
But as he read the agreement his hand was stayed. He read it again and raised his hand from the paper. After a third reading, he laid down the pen, and with trembling hands, took up the document and read it aloud.
He then laid it down, leaned back in his chair, folded his hands and stared at the paper.
"Sign that! Sign that document! Did you hear it? Sign such an agreement as that? No sir, never! Would you have a man — yes, or even a savage — sign that? I might sign my death warrant, but not that! That is for eternity! That would settle my doom without a possibility of hope, much less of escape." Then turning to the buyer, he said: "I do not want your money. I will not take it. If there is a forfeit, I will pay it. But never will I sign that paper."
The on-lookers saw that the man was now both sober and in deadly earnest. They listened in silence while he continued: "Gentlemen, I had a Christian mother, who taught me in my childhood to pray to God and to expect the Lord Jesus to become my Savior. Before she died, she begged me to meet her in heaven. Never until a few moments ago — when in the folly of drink, when I offered to sell my rights — have I lost hope of meeting that faithful mother there.
"To sign that agreement would mean to break all the promises I made to that good woman. It would mean to make useless and vain all that Jesus has done for me; and render void forever the prayers of that blessed mother.
"But I came near doing it. One more glass and my soul would be doomed for eternity. One more, gentlemen! Who tells me one glass will do no harm? If liquor will lead a man to sign away his Savior and hope for his soul, then I'm forever done with drink. I have tasted the last drop. Good-bye, gentlemen. I will not sign; I dare not drink; I cannot remain here. My soul, heaven, my sainted mother, the Lord Jesus Christ, are too dear for me to risk anything further."
Without another word the man hurried away, nor did he ever return to that hotel. From that day he remained sober, and soon became a true Christian, a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The rest of the party stood silent, their faces showing that they had witnessed a great transaction — from a farce to what was almost a tragedy. With never a laugh nor a sneer, each guest retired to his room; while the bar-tender wondered what had happened.
In reading the above we are impressed with the strangeness of God's ways. It was not the preaching in a religious gathering, but a most unusual happening in a low public place by which God spoke. It was an event among the rowdies that God used for the awakening and salvation of that priceless soul.
And how do you suppose this man became a Christian? Was it by leading a different life? No! it is only by the shining in of the light from above that we are blessed of God for eternity.
Unsaved reader, whatever God may use to bring you to the sense of your lost and ruined condition, there is just one way out, and that is through Jesus Christ, who says: "I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).