The night was dark. Along the lonely road traveled a single horseman. His horse was a handsome bay and his owner rode him well. The saddle bags bulged.
Presently the road ended in a rough field where robbers were known to lurk, especially on dark nights. And yet this strange rider never slackened his pace or looked to his pistols. Instead he began to sing!
But suddenly out of the gloom reached a rough hand that seized the horse's bridle; and a course voice shouted: "Halt! Your money or your life!"
The rider was John Wesley. In response to the robber's command he humorously searched his pockets for the very small amount of money he had. The robber swore as he took it and then swiftly searched the saddle bags. Finding that these contained only Bibles and booklets, he quickly turned away.
"Stop you!" called Wesley, "I wish to say something."
Thinking that his strange victim might deliver up something of more value than the shabby purse with its meager contents, the robber stopped.
"My friend," said Wesley solemnly, "the time may come when you may regret the course of life in which you are engaged. So remember this: `The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin' ". (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7))
On hearing this, the robber disappeared into the darkness, while across the field sped the man of God.
While Wesley's poor little purse lay in the robber's pocket, the great preacher's words lay heavier on the robber's heart. Over and over again he repeated them: "From all sin ... us ... from all sin."
Many years later a great crowd of people were pouring out of a large hall. They had been listening to a well-known preacher— the same John Wesley who had been held up by the robber. Many waited about the steps to see him as he left the building. But why was he lingering so long within? Here is the reason: A stranger had entered the church and introduced himself to Mr. Wesley as he left the pulpit. It was the robber— but now a respectable, wealthy businessman.
The scripture— I John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7) quoted by that servant of God on that dark night years ago, had wrought a wonderful work. Just ten words from the Bible had been the means of his soul's salvation.
Turning from his criminal career, the robber had turned to the Bible and read there of "the blood speaking better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12:2424And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24).) He became a faithful follower of Christ a Christian indeed.
"To you I owe it all," he said as he kissed Wesley's hand.
"No, my friend," replied John Wesley, "not to me, but to God's wonderful love."