SAMUEL HEBICH was a well-known missionary from Switzerland, whose labors were greatly blest among the white and colored people of India, many of the British soldiers and officers being brought to the Lord through his ministry. He fell asleep in Jesus in the year 1868.
The manner in which I became acquainted with him is as peculiar as the man himself was.
My battalion was stationed in the province of Madras during one of the seasons of the hottest weather that I can remember. On account of the oppressive heat, there was a death-like stillness during the daytime as it was not advisable for a European to be outside till after sunset and before sunrise. Thus were we forced to idleness, which by no means was agreeable to us.
Just at this time there came the news, “Hebich is coming!”
At the officers’ club they spoke of nothing else all evening. Some had made his acquaintance in former years, but most of them, like myself, had only heard of him. One of the officers said, “We will each of us make his acquaintance soon enough, and without being introduced to him, for Hebich speaks to whom he pleases and asks no permission.”
I listened with astonishment and, at last, asked, “Who is this Hebich that moves about so freely?”
The peculiar tone of my question, which betrayed my annoyance, made some of them laugh, while one of my friends responded, “You will be one of the first he will attack, for they will soon tell him what a hardened sinner you are. Hebich came to India to work among the colored race, but he thinks the white heathen (for so he calls us) are in still greater need of the gospel than they; so he spends much of his time in visiting the garrisons, and many Europeans have been converted from their heathenism (?).”
This stirred up my indignation in no small degree, and I did not hesitate to express myself about Hebich and his “shameful boldness,” and said in conclusion, “If he should ever enter my quarters he would soon land outside again.”
A few days passed, and I had nearly forgotten about Hebich, when, one day, during the hottest part of the day, when every place looked deserted— even the colored people were forced to seek shelter inside—I was lying in my room, listlessly dreaming, when suddenly I heard footsteps outside.
My door and window were wide open, for a visitor could hardly be expected during these hot hours. The sound came nearer, and in walked Hebich. Yes, it must be he, it could be no one else. He was a tall, haggard-looking man, with a long, loose hanging coat. In his bony hand he held a large hat, and under his arm he carried a huge umbrella; indeed, he was a sight to make one laugh, but for the venerable face and the penetrating look in his eyes. Yet it was not a harsh look, but rather of tenderness, kindness, and sympathy, which it was not easy to resist, yea, which one would feel ashamed not to follow. One’s own heart seemed to feel, “This man knows better than I do what I need.”
Hebich came nearer and made a low bow. I arose and went to meet him. He extended his right hand to me kindly, and bade me “good day.” Where was now my intention to put the man out of my quarters? I felt like a school boy, whom the principal had come to see. But Hebich seemed to feel as much at home and as comfortable as I felt strange and embarrassed in my own dwelling. He asked me politely to take a seat, helping himself to a chair which he brought near to my own and sat down.
After a short silence, he said, “GET THAT BOOK!” Without objecting, I went to my bookcase. While I stood before my books, I had no need to ask which book my visitor wanted. There were works of human imagination—poetry—but none of these he wanted. The man who had just come in wanted reality—truth—not imagination. There were also important works on war, but Hebich did not want any of these; he was a messenger of peace. Yes, there in the corner stood a neglected book, which was now wanted—the Holy Scriptures, God’s word. It belongs to the outfit of every officer of the British army, and for that reason it was not missing in my own library, but I had never opened it, I now found it quickly and laid it on the table before us.
“Open the book at the first chapter of Genesis, and read the first two verses.”
I obeyed and read like an attentive pupil, loud and distinct: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
“That will do! Now close the book and we will pray.” With these words the man kneeled down to pray and I followed. What he prayed I do not know. I was not able to keep two thoughts in their connection. Where would all this lead me to? I did not know what to think, say or do.
Hebich finished his prayer and rose, and I followed his example. He shook my hand in solemn earnestness, made a bow, which I mechanically returned, and he left my dwelling as he had come.
That night I did not go to the officers’ club, partly because I was afraid, though no man had ever called me a coward; and partly because I felt unable to converse with anyone. It was difficult for me to do the regular routine work.
The following day I was lounging in my large armchair, unoccupied as the day before, but I felt very strange. In my heart raged a great battle, and I was shrinking in fear from that which might still come, and yet having a desire for something better and higher than I had ever known. All at once I heard footsteps, the same as the day before; now in the yard, now on the porch, now at the door, and there stood Hebich again.
Again I rose to bid him “Good day,” but again I was embarrassed. Again he begged me politely to take a seat, and seated himself on a chair near me, then after the same solemn pause came the request, “GET THAT BOOK!”
Just as the day before, without any objection, I went to my bookcase and got the Bible.
“Turn to the first chapter of Genesis and read the first two verses.”
I read, loud and distinct, as before: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
“That will do! Close the book and we will pray.” This time I listened to his prayer. Oh! what a prayer! It was like as a man talks with his friend. Never before had I heard a prayer from the heart. He told His God and Father all about me. He implored Him to show me what I was, that I might know myself and flee into the open arms of the Redeemer — Jesus — to find salvation. Again he took leave in the same solemn and earnest way as the day before. The Bible still lay open on the table. I dared not close the book and put it away. I felt drawn to read once more for myself those wonderful verses which began to have such a power over me. Like a pupil who had been sent back to his lesson, I sat down before the Bible, and again and again read those verses till they burned in my very soul.
I needed no interpreter; the words interpreted themselves; they pictured myself. Yes, I was void and without form; sin had made me so, and the darkness of indifference and unbelief hid from my own view, like a thick fog, my utter ruin, and God’s love, His heart and His face. “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Had this strange man brought me, by these words and his prayer, in touch with the living God? Was this wonderful power which I felt come over me perhaps the moving of the Spirit of God upon me? If ever a man was bowed and humbled; if ever a heart was convinced of its sinfulness and corruption, as well as the need of redemption through our Lord and Saviour, it was I. All pride and prejudice fell like thick scales from my eyes.
How I spent the time till the next day I do not know. I thought no more about the heat; something of greater importance occupied my mind. It was the first pulse-beats of a new life, the dawning of a new sunrise in my soul.
The same footsteps of yesterday and the day before could at last be heard, and at the same hour. My Bible lay before me open; I was just waiting for the teacher. My heart was full. I rose to meet Hebich, and took his hand.
“Oh! Hebich,” I said, “it is all clear to me now. What must I do?”
He looked at me with the pity of true love, and said, “My son” (for by faith he considered me won by the gospel), “we hear that God said, ‘Let there be light.’ ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved’” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
He directed me to the Cross of Calvary, where Jesus bore my sins, where He shed His precious blood for me; then he pointed me upward to the throne, where Christ is now sitting, glorified, at the right hand of God, as my peace, my life, and my righteousness before God.
Finally we knelt down for prayer and praise, and this day I prayed for the first time without a book, from the heart. I had found life and peace, and I thanked God my Father for His great salvation— eternal life, which He had given me through faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
I could sing,
“‘Tis done, the great transaction’s done;
I am my Lord’s and He is mine.
He drew me and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Happy day! Happy day!
When Jesus washed my sins away.”
My dear reader, has God, who has caused the light to shine out of darkness, brought light into your heart to show how unclean and corrupt you are before Him?
Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and your Friend? Why not?
MAJOR —