I was making a little evangelistic tour preaching the gospel at various places, accompanied by two other servants of the Lord, whose hearts were also deeply interested in the salvation of the lost.
Passing from town to town we had frequent opportunities of conversation with our fellow passengers in the train, and of handing them little gospel booklets or tracts.
We were leaving a town when there entered the coach a middle-aged man, who took his seat opposite to me. He was inclined to be sociable, and began to speak about the weather and the crops, etc. On the rack over my head I had a good-sized leather case, such as commercial travelers often use for their goods. I had specially designed it for carrying hymn-sheets and gospel booklets for use at meetings. Descrying the case, he at once thought that I was a commercial traveler, and said,
“What line are you in?”
“Heavenly goods,” I replied.
“Get away with you,” was his surprised reply. “You do not expect me to believe that?”
“Indeed, I do,” I rejoined. “It is heavenly goods, and heavenly goods only that I am traveling in just now.”
“But what are they?” he rejoined.
“The proclamation to sinners of pardon and peace with God; the precious truth of eternal life, and His gift through faith in His blessed Son, and that whosoever will believe the gospel may now have the knowledge of salvation.”
My reply was evidently unsatisfactory to him. He said nothing, but looked very incredulous, and at this point my two companions chimed in,
“O, it is quite true what he says: that really is the line he is traveling in,” and, by way of confirmation of their words, produced a little hand-bill announcing some meetings. He had no more questions for me, so I thought I would put him one or two.
“What about your own soul, my friend? Are you saved?”
“Ah, that is what no man can know.”
“I beg your pardon, it may be known. I know that I am saved, and you may know the same. You have heard the gospel many a time in your day, I expect?”
This evidently awoke in his mind old memories, and with a softened tone he said:
“Yes, when I was a boy and lived in this district. But that is long ago. You see, I have lived in the city most of my life. When I was here I used to hear about those things, and think about them too, but when I crossed the border, and got into the busy city, I flung all religion overboard, and I just set myself to make money.”
“And you have made it?” I replied.
“Yes, I have done well in that line, and I have come north to see my old friends and the old places, and to enjoy myself.”
“And the money you have made has made you quite happy, I suppose, and you are all right for eternity.”
“Indeed, I am nothing of the kind. Money does not make a man happy, nor save his soul.”
“Quite true,” I replied, “and I think if you are a wise man, you will now seek to get the riches that are abiding, everlasting, and satisfying. In other words, you had better secure the ‘heavenly goods’ that I am speaking of. Would not you be the better of their possession?”
“I believe I would,” he said; “but how am I to get them?”
Then followed a plain conversation as to the gospel,
He seemed much interested, and took a gospel booklet or two with thankfulness, and a notice of the meetings, saying he would certainly attend them.
On the following Lord’s day, both afternoon and evening, I observed him among the listeners where I was preaching the gospel. I had no opportunity of further conversation with him, but I trust what he heard of the gospel was used of the Lord for blessing to his soul.
It is grand business to travel in the gospel. A man can earn his living by some honest calling, and still do this. No happier service is known on earth.