Or,
The Irish Foxhunter
OVER thirty years ago a gentleman residing in the South of Ireland was brought to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. Living for pleasure and regardless of the future, he never allowed himself to think upon eternal concerns. His time was mostly spent on the race-course, in the hunting field, and card and billiard rooms of his club. At the age of thirty he married, and, "in order to set a proper example," he had prayers morning and evening, and “turned over a new leaf."
Shortly after his marriage a cousin paid him a visit, and availed herself of the opportunity of speaking faithfully to him about eternal concerns. Soon after this, having occasion to visit Dublin—where his relative was then staying—he met her, and she, looking on his unexpected visit as an answer to prayer, invited him to go and hear Mr. Denham Smith, who was conducting Gospel meetings in the Merrion Hall. To this invitation he gave a point-blank refusal, saying he did not wish, to hear him, and ridiculed her for her “folly “in being so “very religious." Perceiving that his answer had caused her pain and disappointment, he said, “Cheer up, B—; if ever your friend comes to our part of the country, I promise you faithfully that I will go and hear him." Leaving Dublin, he returned home, and for more than a year he thought nothing about it.
One morning he received a letter from his relative as follows: “I claim your promise. Mr. Denham. Smith preaches, the Lord willing, at B—Hall" (in a town about ten miles from the place where he lived)” to-morrow at one o'clock." Having made some business arrangements with a gentleman for the day, the receipt of the letter caused him annoyance; and, with an exclamation that made his wife start, he threw it down. Determining, however, as a “man of honor," to keep his word, he wrote, stating that important business had taken him from home. Having sent a messenger on horseback with the letter, he got a horse harnessed to his “trap," end drove to the town in which the meeting was to be held.
Reaching the hall, he was met by his relative, who said, "Oh, I am so glad to see you! I knew you would come." He replied that he was sorry he had come ; that nothing but the promise he had made would have brought him, and he was determined he would " never be caught in the same way again." On being offered a hymn book, he refused it, saying, "I don't sing." After prayer, and a portion of Scripture was read, a Bible was handed him; but he said, "I don't want it, and I am determined not to listen to anything." During the delivery of the address his attention was attracted to a tall, stout man, who sat two or three forms in front of him, sobbing bitterly. His first feeling was, “I should like to strike him for being so soft; “but on watching him carefully for some time, the thought was suggested to him, “What is it that the preacher is saying that has made such an impression on him? I shall listen and hear what it is. "As he listened he heard the “old, old story" of God's love to sinners—of the full ransom price paid by His Son for their redemption, of the justification of all who believe on Christ by faith in His finished work.
The address being concluded, and a hymn given out, the speaker went to the place where he was sitting, and entering into conversation with him, asked if he was happy. To this question he replied that he was, and abruptly stopped the conversation by saying, “I think you would be better to go to that big fellow; he has been crying for the last half-hour, and looks as if he wanted you." Perceiving that Mr. Denham Smith was pained and disappointed by his remark, he said, “Don’t misunderstand me; I have plenty of time to talk with you. Speak to him first, and then come and talk as long as you like." After speaking to the anxious soul Mr. Denham Smith took the gentleman back to a quiet part of the hall, and asked him if he believed the Bible to be God's Word." “Yes," was the reply “I do." "Are you a sinner?” “I am." “If you were dying just now, where would you go?" "To hell, for I have earned it well." “Would you like to learn that you need not go there?” "Of course I would." Opening the Bible, he turned his attention to several passages in which God's love to and desire for the salvation of sinners are exhibited.
Among others, John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15) was read: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." “Do you believe," asked Mr. Denham Smith, "on Jesus Christ as the One who died for us and bore our punishment?”
“Certainly I do," was the reply. “Then what does God say?” “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." “Then have you eternal life? “No; I DON'T FEEL THAT I HAVE IT." “Does God say whosoever feeleth hath everlasting life?” "No." “What does He say?” "Whosoever believeth." “You say that you believe on Christ, and God says, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life,' so according to God's Word, if you believe in Him you have eternal life. Have you got it?" "I can't say I have. I don't feel it." “Take my Bible, and show me where you are told you are to feel you are saved. I have never seen it." Handing the Bible back to Mr. Denham Smith, he said, “I don't know very much about it." “Listen for a moment. You acknowledge yourself to be a sinner?
"I know and feel that I am." "'Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners' (1 Tim. 1:55). He came to save you. Let us read John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life.' According to the Word of God, if you believe, you have everlasting life. God says so, and whatever He says is true." “BUT I DON'T FEEL THAT I HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." "Never mind your feelings." "Well, then, I'll stick to it that I am saved, just because God says so, and never mind my feelings." Peace and joy filled his heart, and since then he has publicly and privately endeavored to tell of the wondrous love of God to sinners.
Would you not like to be saved and know it? Hitherto you may have been expecting some wonderful change before you were saved, some indescribable feeling of joy, and then you think you would be justified in concluding that you had "everlasting life." If so, you are laboring under a serious mistake. God says, First believe, and then you will feel. Believe on the Lord Jesus as the One who hung on the cross as a sacrifice for you, and then you cannot help feeling love to Him. Don't wait for any "experience" or "feeling." It is not “Whosoever feeleth sorry for his sins," or “Whosoever feeleth happy," shall be saved. It is, “Whosoever believeth in Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)). Believing on Him, you will be able to say, "I'll stick to it that I am saved, just because God says so, and never mind my feelings." A. M.