In the course of my business, one morning, I was led, as I truly believe, by God, to inspect some goods at one of our largest stations. There was no necessity for me personally to trouble myself about these particular wares, and I merely refer to this to show how wonderful are the ways in which God uses His children.
Arriving at the station, I saw one of the officials, whom I was led to ask if he were a follower of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. The answer was,
"Praise the Lord, yes. He has saved my soul, and I have now the privilege of working for Him seven days in the week, (the Lord had evidently favored him with good health,) always sowing Seed for the Master."
I very soon found him a man filled with gospel truths, and one who traveled to all parts of the country, delivering his Master's message, returning, as he said, from long journeys by night, ready for his daily toil in the morning. On his own station, where he held mission services, he had been much blessed, and the Lord had used him very largely there in winning souls for Christ; so much so that, as I afterwards learned, numbers of the staff are today "shining lights."
This brings me to the subject to which I more particularly wish to refer:
A porter, whom my Christian brother deputed to accompany me to the store warehouse, (which, by-the-bye, was a very dark, cold store-room, such a one as I shall never forget,) I very soon found was not a Christian. Having asked him the question,
"Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ, friend?" he replied promptly, "O yes, sir, I go to church." I followed by asking him again,
"Are you saved from the wrath to come?" (inspecting the goods all the while, and thus giving him time to think).
"Well," he replied, "I heard the Rev.— preach last Sunday; and my son goes to church regularly."
"Have you peace, friend?" I asked, (praying God to give me the right word, and to convert this soul,) "Have you peace with God, through His Son Jesus Christ? Do you feel the need of a Savior? Have your sins been washed in the blood of the Lamb—Christ Jesus? If not, friend, notwithstanding your going to church regularly, you are going to hell." The poor fellow looked very uneasy, and said,
"I will be honest, sir, and tell you I have never been spoken to so plainly before."
"Thank God His words are plain. You must excuse me, my friend, but I feel that my Master has brought me here to deliver a message to you, and it is this, 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' 1 Tim. 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). Do you feel you are such a one?"
"Yes, sir," said he, "I know I am."
"Thank God for your honesty," I rejoined. "Then as a sinner I shall address you. God's own Word says,
Now, sinner, what does God's Word say to such a one as you? In Acts 17:3030And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:30) God commands you to repent: for without repentance there can be no remission of sins."
"O, sir, I have been for many years trying to find Jesus, and to seek forgiveness, of my sins; but I know I am lost; I know it, I do. What can I do? What must I do?"
"Stop! God's Word says in reply to your question,
`If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe with thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
"Yes, sir; but—"
"Friend, there is no but about salvation. Christ's atoning blood was offered on your behalf, and He died that you might live. Christ says, Come. Won't you take Him as your own personal Savior? Believing is taking God at His word. He declares that Christ died for such as you. Has He; or, has He not?"
The poor fellow at once gave signs that the Spirit of God was striving with him, and I immediately engaged in silent prayer. Presently he broke out in truly penitent tears of joy, and said,
"I believe it all, sir. I believe it. I do believe. I see now I can do nothing, and that Jesus did it all, and for me. I see it, sir;" and whilst clasping my hands he said, "I do thank Jesus for sending you here."
"Then you really accept Christ as your Savior, friend?"
"Yes, sir, I do! I do."
"Then let us thank God for His mercy and love towards you, nay, and towards all men."
Time having passed away so quickly, I left him with a text or two, viz.:
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"; and "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2 Tim. 2:3, 193Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19).
Dear reader, you may attend church every Sunday, nay, every day, but let me warn you, in the name of my Master, that nothing but the atoning blood of Jesus can wash away your sins.