In one of the southern states there once lived a successful farmer, whose main enterprise was raising pigs. He was a godless man; but one of his workmen was an earnest Christian, named Joe, who seldom missed an opportunity to speak to his employer about his soul.
But there came a day when the rich farmer took seriously ill. Fearing that he was going to die, he sent for his Christian hired man and asked: "Joe, tell me what I will have to do to be saved?"
Pointing through the window to one of the pig pens, Joe replied: "Go and kneel in that pig pen and pray the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner."
"O, man, I am not willing to do that!"
Whereupon Joe returned to his work. But some days later he was again called to the sick man's bedside.
"Joe, what did you say I must do to be saved?" Again pointing to the pig pen, Joe repeated: "Go and kneel in that pig pen and pray the publican's prayer, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' "
"Joe, I am willing now," was the reply.
"Ah, sir!" exclaimed Joe joyfully, "you need not kneel in the pig pen, so long as you are willing to be saved. Now pray right here."
The anxious, willing sinner gladly responded, and kneeling beside his bed, fervently prayed the prayer from his heart. God heard and he was saved.