About four o'clock one afternoon I was sitting in the bunkhouse of a logging camp at Swan River, reading my Bible. I glanced up as a tall, well-built man entered, and as he strolled toward me I noticed that he had been drinking heavily. After roughly demanding to know if I were a preacher, he began to curse and swear and belittle God, the Bible, and all Christians.
I answered him quietly with a few words, and returned to my Book.
After stamping about the room he returned, and standing squarely before me, spat a great quantity of tobacco juice over me, with some spattering over the Bible.
I got up carefully, wiped my Bible and clothes, lifting the pages so that they might dry out. My calmness seemed to enrage the man further. He walked up, thrusting his big fist against my nose, and pushed my head back against the wall.
I remarked: "Have a good time, Jack, while you are at it—it may not last long! Remember, I stand for the lowly Nazarene, the One that died for you and me." He turned and left me, cursing as he went.
At one o'clock the next morning I was called to get up and hurry to the office; there had been an accident.
A brakeman, while coupling the engine to the logging train, slipped and fell under the car wheels, and his right leg was completely severed from his body.
As I entered I saw that splendid form of manhood, that had so insulted God and abused me, lying hopelessly crushed and bleeding—pale with the pain and anguish.
Sober now, he held out his hand to me and asked me to forgive him. I quickly assured him that I would, and anxiously asked him, "How is it with your soul, Jack?"
"I am lost," he said unhesitatingly.
Then I told him the story of the thief on the cross, of the heart-cry of the poor suffering thief who had only a few moments between himself and an eternity in the blackness of darkness of the lost and unpardoned soul: "Lord remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." Luke 23:39-4339And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39‑43). Only one sentence, but it meant a recognition of Christ and His resurrection and of life beyond the tomb. And Christ's answer was immediate: "To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise."
What a blessed message to a dying soul! God's Word also tells us that, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
With closed eyes the injured brakeman whispered softly, "God be merciful to me a sinner."
Suddenly he reached for my hand and, with his face radiant, he exclaimed, "I see! I see! Tell the boys I—made—the—coupling!" He had made a coupling now with Christ! With a smile on his face he went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ who had loved him and died for him.