Homesteading had just been opened up in the Northwestern provinces of Canada. With millions of acres of free land to be settled it is not surprising that many were anxious to secure homesteads for themselves and families. Among them were the Cantrells who chose a section in the province of Saskatchewan.
One of the sons of the Cantrell families, young Bob, was not content to farm, and as soon as he could leave home he went to the United States. There he obtained employment in a large store in Michigan.
In the course of time Bob rose to a good position in the firm, and was earning quite a large income. But like many young men, he began living at a pretty fast pace, and lost his position through drink. He now drank deep of earth's pleasures, but nothing he could do quenched the thirst of his immortal spirit, and he learned by bitter experience the truth of the scripture that "the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Eccl. 1:88All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. (Ecclesiastes 1:8).
At last finding life a burden, poor Bob resolved that he would end his miserable existence. He loaded his gun, and laying it aside, awaited a "convenient season" to put an end to his earthly course. But God's eye was upon him, and He would not let him forget his early training. The Holy Spirit made him realize his guilt, obstinacy, and rebellion, and turned his thoughts to his little Bible, which he began to read. His eyes were then opened to see that he was lost, guilty and condemned.
One day a friend casually suggested that he go and hear a preacher who was holding services in a nearby hall. Bob gladly responded, and went to the place through a blinding snowstorm. Several times he thought of returning home; but impelled by an unseen power he pressed on.
The preacher read that night the wonderful words of Isa. 53:5, 65But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5‑6). "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
During the reading of the scripture, Bob rose to his feet, and with deep emotion inquired, "Is that in the Bible?”
The preacher replied that it was, and added, "I will show it to you." Reading for himself the wondrous declaration that God had laid all his sin on the head of the Lord Jesus, that He had been wounded for his transgressions, Bob exclaimed, "Thank God, that is enough for me.”
Bob left the hall rejoicing in Christ his Savior. He knew himself to be a new creature in Him, and humbly but happily he embarked on a new life for His glory.