Anthony Harrold, an old soldier, was a slave to drink. His wife, although unconverted herself, became greatly troubled about his wicked ways, and eventually persuaded him to attend some gospel services. There the Holy Spirit convicted him of sin; and through the Word of God he was led to see that, without Christ, he was lost and condemned.
John Lawson, an earnest Christian worker, and himself an ex-soldier, heard of Anthony's condition. He visited him in his home and sought to lead him to Christ. Taking his Bible from his pocket, Lawson slowly read: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him,"―
He stopped, and looking Anthony in the face said, "and that means you―'should not perish, but have everlasting life,'―and that means you.”
Anthony was amazed at what he heard. How could God love him―a drinking, swearing sinner? In fact, he believed it to be impossible that a holy God could love a wretch like him! And for God to give His only begotten Son to suffer and to bleed and die to save him from hell and wrath and woe, was beyond the range of his comprehension. Bringing his fist down on the table, he said, "I don't believe it!”
Taking no note of the interruption, Lawson again read the scripture: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever"―
Stopping, Lawson gazed at Anthony, and said, "and that means you"―"believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Again Anthony struck the table and shouted, "I don't believe it!”
Three times over the glorious declaration of God's love to sinners was read, and three times over Anthony struck the table with his fist, declaring, "I don't believe it!”
Lawson was a man of sound sense and good judgment. Instead of blaming Anthony for not believing the words of Holy Scripture, he inquired how long he was in the army.
"Twenty-one years and fourteen days," said Anthony proudly.
When he said so, Lawson struck the chair with his fist and said, "I don't believe it!”
"Do you think I would tell you a lie?" said the old man. "It was twenty-one years and fourteen days." "I don't believe it," said Lawson quietly.
"Bring me the parchment," said Anthony to his wife. The parchment being produced, Lawson took it in his hand. Having looked at it, he asked Anthony if he had read it, and if he believed it.
Anthony replied that, though he was unable to read, others had done so for him, and he believed what they had told him.
"How can you expect me to believe you when you refuse to believe the Word of God?" Lawson asked, and for the fourth time he read the life-saving words of John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16), adding "and that means you.”
The old soldier's eyes were opened, and the light of the gospel of Christ streamed into his soul, as he cried, "I see it all! I believe it! I believe it! Thank God.”
Anthony believed the precious Word and received God's dear Son as his Savior. In Christ he became a new man. The drink and the swearing were given up, and his home was changed completely. His first desire was to learn to read. His first book was the Bible. His first lesson was John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).