ONE Lord’s day evening a man called upon me, and said that a gentleman, lodging in his house, was very anxious to see me. I replied, that “I would visit him later that evening.” He answered, “Oh, Sir, please to come at once, he is so desirous to see you immediately.” I went, and was conducted to an attic, miserably furnished, and on a wretched bed I saw a young man, of genteel appearance, very thin and pale: I asked for what purpose he wished to see me? he replied, “I have lost one of my legs by an accident, the other is very badly scalded; I believe I am going to die, therefore I wish to see you before my death.” Supposing from these words he desired spiritual instruction and consolation, I spoke to him concerning repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21). I rejoiced to find by his conversation that through the power of the Holy Spirit he deeply felt his own sin and guilt, and yet he was in perfect peace through the knowledge of Jesus Christ his Saviour.
I then observed, “May I ask who and what you are? for you evidently are not what your present circumstances appear to indicate.” He told me “he was the son of a Barrister, who possessed £1,300 per annum, independent of his practice; that he himself had had a University education, and when on the eve of taking his degree, he had wrongfully quarreled with his father, and LEFT him to reside with an uncle. While there he had lost his leg by an accident, and had afterward married a young woman much below him in station: he was consequently cast off by all his family, and came to this country because he heard living was very cheap here.”
I then remarked, “I wonder how a man with your knowledge, and feeling of religion, could act as you have done.” He answered, “I had no knowledge of true religion in those days; — I received all a possess through YOU!” I said, “That is I very strange circumstance, for I have never seen you before;” to which he replied, “I have been listening to your preaching for the last three months, but while doing so I endeavored to hide myself from your gaze. I have obtained that spiritual knowledge of Christ my Saviour, which gives me peace in my present sad condition. MY object in coming to this country was to live cheaply, but GOD brought me hither in order to save my soul, and I wished you to know all this before I die.”
I then inpuired whether he had seen a medical man: he said, “No, I have no means of paying one.”
It was now time to leave him, so I went away, saying I should bring one to see him after the preaching.” I did so, he prescribed for him, and after prayer I left him for the night. Next morning, through the mercy of God, he was better, and on my inquiring whether he wanted money, his own words were, “My last half-penny was spent this morning in buying a halfpenny worth of milk.”
For a short time I had the privilege of ministering to his wants, and having written to his father the substance of what I have now related, and besought him to forgive his erring son (as I believe GOD had forgiven him), I received a most kind letter from him, saying “my communication had given him great pleasure, that he would forgive his son, that he felt thankful for my kindness to him, and begged that I would order everything that was necessary for the recovery of his health, and he would cheerfully repay me all expenses.”
He was soon removed to comfortable apartments, and had daily carriage exercise, and every possible attention.
Through the blessing of God he was restored to health, and by his father’s desire returned to his own neighborhood, where that kind parent settled an annuity upon him, and procured him a sedentary employment, suited to the state of his health. See Luke 15:11-3211And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. 29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:11‑32).
I saw him some time afterward, and was invited to his father’s house to meet him. He was in perfect health, and in happy circumstances. Like Onesimus, he departed for a season that he might be received forever.