“WILL you go and see my husband?" said a poor woman, who had recently been converted. “He is ill, and I think he may soon die, and I am very anxious about his soul."
“Is he awakened as to his condition?” I inquired. " Can he say what you said a short time ago—' I'm lost, and on the road to hell?'"
"Ah! my poor husband has not got to that yet, I fear; but you see, ma'am, I am very ignorant about such things, having only just come to Jesus myself. He is a much better scholar than I am, and he reads the Bible a great deal, and talks about the wonderful stories in it, but then he does think himself so good. He has been a teetotaler, too, for many a year, and is a very industrious man: as good a husband, and kind a father as ever was, has he been, and he seems to have a sort of pride in his goodness. He does not like me to say much to him, for he says he knows so much more than I do."
The wife and I agreed to pray for the husband, and on the following evening, accompanied by a friend, I went to Mr. C.'s home. He was sitting by the fire with his wife and youngest son. He appeared glad to see us, and asked us to speak loudly, as he was hard of hearing. I took the proffered seat next to him, and waited to hear what he had to say. He told me of his complaints, his work, how long he had been employed by one master, of his club, and his teetotalism, At last I asked, “Do you read much?"
“Yes," he said,” I always keep the Bible here, ma'am," and he turned round and took a large-print Bible off a table; then putting on his spectacles, he turned over the leaves admiringly, saying, “Some pretty stories there are in it, too. Now what could be prettier than the tale of Joseph and his brethren, or of Daniel in the lions' den?"
“Let us leave both Joseph and Daniel," I said, " and hear what God has to say about ourselves. In the third chapter of Romans it is written, ' All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.' Each of us in this room is included in that word all,' but there is a difference, for some of us can say we are going to be in the glory with the Lord Jesus 'Christ; your wife will be there; what about you?"
Great beads of perspiration stood on his brow, but not a word did he speak. I opened the Bible, and read from Matt. 7:13, 1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14),
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.' Now, C.—there are two ways spoken of in the verses which I have read; can you tell which way you are in?"
“I am in the broad way," said he, slowly. "And where does that way lead?”
A solemn silence followed my question. In that little room God, by His Spirit, was working, opening the blind eyes. The answer came-
“It leads to hell!”
"My poor husband," cried the wife, “God grant that you may never go there”
My companion and I could only thank God for giving another sinner to see his lost condition. "All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever Both make manifest is light." (Eph. 5:1313But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:13).)
"God is love as well as light," I continued, "and God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).) Now will you rest your soul upon the word of God, and accept His offer of rich, boundless mercy?"
But James C. had been asleep for nearly sixty years, and was now only just aroused to the fact that his life had been a terrible mistake, and that his righteousnesses were as filthy rags. Well, then, might he be afraid, and reiterate, “I’m going to hell!”
We repeated in his ear the good news of accomplished redemption; of peace made through the blood of the cross; of God's satisfaction in the work of His Son, and of a risen and glorified Saviour at God's right hand. But he sat stolidly silent, seemingly only alive to the truth that he was in the broad way that leads to destruction.
Committing him in prayer to God, we left him, my friend whispering in his ear, "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).)
Various causes prevented me from seeing him again for about three weeks, though his wife told me that he was so ill as to be confined to his bed, and his agony of soul appeared to increase.
"Surely," said she, “the Lord will have mercy upon him. He prays sometimes all night, calling upon God to save him from going down into the pit. Can't you go and see him again?"
“Let us wait upon God, to use His own word, whether by one of us or by any other channel," I replied. But soon an opportunity opened itself for again seeing him, and I was favored by being alone with C. The wife had gone for his medicine, and a neighbor, who was sitting by the fire, arose and left the room, saying she knew we should like to be alone. I turned to the sick man, who looked very ill and very sad, and said.
“Aly poor friend, I know your body is suffering, but is it well with your soul?" “Oh that it were “he replied.
“You know that you are a sinner?" “Indeed I do; a very vile one too."
“‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' It is also written that ' He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.' It is worthy of your acceptance to believe that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
A bright look came over his face, as he said “I’m glad to accept it."
“And do you really believe on the Son of God?"
He looked at me then, nor did I question the words he uttered: “I believe from the very depths of my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I have everlasting life."
"And what has the blood of Christ done for you?"
While the tears rolled down his cheeks, he fairly smiled, and said, “Cleansed me... from all... sin."
“And what have we to do?"
“To thank Him for what He has done. Let us thank Him now."
While the praises of this new-born soul went upward, the wife came in; she saw the change, and a joyful" Praise the Lord," came from her lips.
James C. remained for some time a feeble invalid, but it was good to see how God used him among his poor relatives and neighbors, many of whom were sick and dying; some to whom he declared the way of salvation have gone to be with Christ, and others are ready to follow.
It has been observed that he had read the word of God, and knew much of the letter of the Scriptures; when he became converted the Holy Ghost used this knowledge and gave him to understand the things of Christ and show them unto him.
We may truly say of him, the Lord saved his soul, satisfied his heart, and then put him to sleep.
Reader, have you learned that you are in the broad way? If so, will you accept God's salvation?