Thomas Doolittle, many years ago, was known as an eccentric preacher. On one occasion he looked round upon the congregation and observed a young man just entering one of the pews. The man appeared very ill at ease in his situation and likely to slip out again.
Doolittle adopted an unusual expedient to awaken his interest and detain him. Turning to a known Christian sitting in the gallery, he called to him: "Brother, do you repent of coming to Christ?”
"No, sir," the Christian replied. "I never was happy till I came! I only repent that I did not come to Him sooner.”
The preacher then turned to the opposite gallery, and called to an aged believer in the same manner: "Brother, do you repent of coming to Christ?”
"No, sir," said he, "I have enjoyed the salvation that is found in Christ from my youth upwards.”
The preacher then looked down upon the young man, whose attention was now fully engaged. Fixing his eyes upon him, Mr. Doolittle said: "Young man, are you willing to come to Christ?”
This unexpected address from the pulpit so affected him that he bowed his head and concealed his face. The question was repeated: "Young man, are you willing to come to Christ?”
The person who sat next to him encouraged him to rise and answer. With a tremulous voice he replied, "Yes, sir.”
"But when, sir?" added the preacher in a solemn and loud tone.
Almost whispered the answer came: "Now, sir.”
By this message the young man was greatly affected. His face bathed in tears, he went to the preacher after the service. His reluctance to stay, which had been evident, was caused by the strict injunctions of his father. He had threatened that if his son went to hear "the fanatics" he would turn him out of doors. Having now listened to and received the message of life everlasting, he was afraid to meet his parent.
The preacher sat down and wrote a touching appeal to the lad's father. It was so used of God that both father and mother came to hear for themselves. By the Spirit of God they too came to a saving knowledge of the truth and with their son rejoiced in Christ as their own Savior.