`Yet There Is Room'
(George West Frazer)
The conversion of George West Frazer, a twenty year old Irish lad, took place in Dublin, Ireland, in 1859. Vast crowds were attending the meetings in the "Rotunda" where the evangelist, Grattan Guinness, was preaching. Will Frazer, George's brother, was a Christian and was very anxious that his unsaved brother should hear the address; but when they arrived at the hall it was filled to overflowing and crowds blocked the entrance.
George had been indifferent as to these meetings. He had just purchased a new reading lamp and was anxious to get home and try it. But such is human nature that, finding there was no room inside, he determined to hear the preacher anyway. Leaving his cherished lamp to his brother's keeping, he climbed a rain spout and reached the ledge of an upper window. There he sat with legs dangling down, amazed at the sea of faces below.
However, something more important soon caught and held his attention. It was the preacher's text: "Yet there is room." Luke 14:2222And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. (Luke 14:22). Its appropriateness to himself struck him, and he listened attentively. As he heard the wondrous story of God's provision for lost sinners, of His great love in giving His own dear Son to die that they might be saved from sin and from judgment to come, George's heart was deeply stirred.
He climbed down from his perch an unhappy young man, determined not to rest until he had found the Savior for himself.
Fourteen days and nights were spent in an anxious and miserable state. One night, after having been on his knees repeatedly at his bedside and finding no relief, he determined to cease seeking and to have his fling in the world. Then came the thought that though he might forget his trouble, he still would have to face God, his sins, and a lost eternity. In deep anguish of soul he cried, "If I must perish, I am resolved to perish at His feet!" Then and there he cast himself at the feet of Jesus.
He was relieved, but not yet at peace. Presently a well-known verse of Scripture came with such force to his remembrance that it seemed spoken to him. It was 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15),—"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
"That's just what I want! I'm a sinner, and Christ Jesus came to save such," he exclaimed. One who knew him well writes: "After lying awake praising God for hours, he fell into the first sweet, refreshing sleep he had had since that memorable night at the 'Rotunda.' "
Rising early the next morning to tell his brother the good news, the thought struck him, "What shall I tell him?" For the moment the peace and joy of the night before had vanished. Then he remembered: "It was that precious verse, 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15), that gave me rest last night." It was the same, though his feelings had changed. He simply trusted God's Word, and with a full heart confessed his faith in the finished work of Christ to his brother.
For thirty-five years George Frazer lived a happy Christian life redolent with the savor of Christ. During this time he wrote some of the best hymns found in modern collections. They have been published in three separate volumes. But perhaps the one most widely known and used of God to the salvation of souls is a Gospel hymn which reflects his own conversion and the text that aroused him to a sense of his lost condition:
"Come, hear the Gospel sound,
`Yet there is room.'
It tells to all around
`Yet there is room.'
The sinner may draw near!
Though vile, he need not fear;
With joy he now may hear
`Yet there is room. "