In an outlying district in Ireland, a devoted group of Christians were seeking to bring the light of God's Word before the people. The truth was making some headway, and some souls were being brought from darkness into His marvelous light.
A preacher of the gospel had been invited to join the group. When he was due to arrive, some who were violently opposed, when they heard of his coming determined to destroy any house where meetings were held.
After having carefully watched the good man's movements, these conspirators secretly followed him one Lord's Day morning, planning to make short work of this "new sect." They surrounded the house and sent their ringleader in to watch for the moment to give the signal for their entrance. They waited and waited; but to their consternation their associate failed to reappear. At last, fearing a counter-plot, they decamped with all speed.
The fact is that the ringleader himself, while waiting for the opportune time to summon his companions, was entranced with the hymn that was given out and sung. "This is very purty," said he. "I'll not disturb them yet.”
Prayer was then offered up, prayer for all in the village. "I'll let them alone until they have done with their prayers," he said again to himself.
The meeting continued, and once more the man said to himself: "I'll hear what they have to say for themselves at any rate.”
Thus the meeting proceeded, and for the first time in his life he came face to face with his lost condition. He was overwhelmed with the enormity of his sins, and became desperately anxious for relief.
At the conclusion, the preacher spoke to the distressed stranger: "My good man, did you ever acknowledge yourself to be a sinner before God, and that you deserved to be excluded from His presence forever?”
He broke into tears and cried out, "Lord, have mercy upon me! What must I do to be saved? Sure, and I'm a most wicked sinner!”
The whole company of believers joined in earnest prayer for him, and very soon he was "sitting at the feet of Jesus," quiet, and "in his right mind.”
How great are the wonders grace can do!
"Surely the wrath of man stall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." Psa. 76:1010Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (Psalm 76:10). "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:6, 86For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).