A—was a fine young fellow, only twenty-one years of age, but he loved this world.
He was fond of the theater, the billiard table, society, and the butterflies of fashion; he was a lover of pleasure, and cared little for his soul. But the Saviour who loved him had marked him out for blessing. His eyes of compassion rested upon him, nor did He rest until He had found him, putting him on His shoulders rejoicing. Well may we sing—
“There is joy in heaven tonight,
And the angels all look on,
For it is not theirs that deep delight,
Though their praise swells loud at the glorious sight
Of another repentant one.”
Let us now hear the story of his conversion. Said he―
“It was my portion to work next door to a dear Christian man who often talked to me about my soul, but I always turned the conversation to some other subject. But somehow or other I could not get rid of the thought that some time or other I should have to die; and I knew perfectly well I was not prepared to die. Well I knew that God said, ‘After death the judgment’ (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)).
“The thought of ‘hell’ and ‘judgment to come’ troubled me greatly. My Christian friend had often invited me to a place where the gospel was preached, but I told him I did not want to go to such places, they were not in my line.
“Still the Saviour looked down with pity and compassion, and I was laid aside for a few days by illness. It was then He began to work in my soul. I knew if I were to die I should go straight to hell. I rolled from one side of the bed to the other. I knew not what to do, so I resolved that if I ever got well I would go down to that preaching place where my friend went.
“The Lord in His mercy raised me up, and I went to business as usual.
“It was my custom before starting work to look in and see my friend, so I stepped in and commenced talking about the room where he went. Said I, I will come with you next Sunday, all being all.’ ‘Thank God!’ said my friend, and a bright cheery smile lit up his face. I knew he had got something I had not.
“Sunday came; at the appointed hour we met, and we were soon seated in a nice little room, where the story of the love of Jesus was told out.
“That night the preacher took for his text that well-known verse, ‘Be sure your sin will find you out’ (Num. 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)). He showed us that sooner or later our sins must be found out, either now or on the judgment day. He went on to tell that wonderful story of a Saviour’s love; how He loved guilty sinners, and how He bled and died on Calvary’s tree, so that He might cleanse poor vile sinners in His precious blood.
“The meeting closed by singing that well-known hymn—
‘Have you any room for Jesus—
He who bore our load of sin;
As He knocks and seeks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in?’
“‘Yes,’ said I, ‘I’ll let Him in tonight, I’ll find room for Him tonight; I’ve had room for business, pleasure, and a hundred and one things.’ So I just let Him come in. And did He? Ah! indeed He did. I confessed my sins to Him, asking Him to forgive me, and wash them all away in His precious blood; and He has done so, for He says, ‘Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out’ (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)), blessed words, lovely words to a weary soul.
“I went again the next Sunday and heard once more the story of love, but it was not until the following Sunday that God spoke peace fully to my soul, and, blessed be His name, I’ve been happy ever since. Praise His name!”
Months have rolled away since this dear young man found a Saviour. Did he go back to his old habits, companions, &c.? No, not he. He broke from his old companions, and bade them good-bye: the billiard table, the theater, the pipe, all went; he had now found something better, he could indeed say―
“Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me;
There is love and life and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee.”
He loves to be in the company of Christians, to talk of Him, and what a great Saviour is He.
He is now found where every Christian should be, that is with his fellow-believers showing the Lord’s death until He come.
His only theme is Jesus! Jesus! precious Jesus.
This story has been penned so that you, dear reader, may flee to Jesus for refuge. The storms of God’s judgment are nearing, and we would, with all our being, urge you to flee to Him.
Oh, young men and maidens, butterflies of fashion, and you too that have grown old in the service of Satan, turn now to Jesus; tell Him that you are vile and undone, and He will bless you. Do not trifle with the things of eternity; heaven is in earnest, hell is in earnest, then flee, we beseech you, to Him who is able to save.
If you have already come to Him, may you be out and out for Him till He comes. Christian, listen!
“Won’t somebody tell them?
Tell them of Calvary’s tree,
Tell them the story of Jesus,
What a great Saviour is He!”
E. W.