IN a pretty village near London, a man lived some years ago, who was the terror of his neighbors, and of his own family. He himself said that few went deeper into sin than he did. His poor wife suffered greatly, not only from his violence, but from the difficulty of providing for their children, as most of her husband's earnings went in drink. At one time, in a fit of passion, he deliberately attempted to take the life of his child, but through God's mercy was prevented from doing so. He was so hardened that it seemed vain to hope for any reformation. But "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" In this case we get a clear answer—"With God all things are possible"; for this man, sunken deep in degradation, was yet to become a bright witness of the omnipotence and grace of God, a vessel through whom the glory of God's grace was to shine, and brighten many a heart.
At the very time when he was bent on destruction, he was led to think of eternity, and it suddenly flashed upon him that he was not ready. He saw he was lost, and in anguish of soul owned himself to be a guilty, vile sinner whom God alone could save. He fled to Christ Himself, and proved the truth of His blessed words, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out," and learned that God's salvation is like God—infinite, eternal.
Thomas R. now began to live for Christ. He became a quiet, humble, happy servant of his Lord. But it is always true that as we sow we also reap. The many long years of a sinful life had led his children into the same paths, and now they mocked at the "religion," as they called it, of their father. Deep, indeed, was the anguish of his soul as he saw what his own example had produced. Constant and fervent were his prayers for his unhappy children, but for years his faith was sorely tried as he saw them still unrepentant.
As time went on, Thomas became loved and respected by his fellow-Christians for his earnest devotedness to the Lord. Always eager now to serve Him, he sought out ways of doing good to those around him. He became an indefatigable worker in a Sunday-school, which he was one of the first to establish, and where he had the joy of seeing not a few of the little ones led to Christ.
Reader, do you own Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? He is coming soon—oh! see to it that you are ready. L. T.