IN the year 1867 there lived in the S. W. suburb of London a gentleman, who was an infidel as well as a man of learning, and used to write for different periodicals, address public meetings, &c. About twelve months before his death he was invited, with others of London belonging to the rifle corps, to visit Belgium. He did so; and while there was taken ill, but was much noticed by the king, who had him cared for and attended by his own physician. At length he returned home, and this illness terminated in death.
One of his family, feeling much concerned for her father’s eternal interest, invited Christian neighbors to visit him, but the hard infidel heart rejected their counsel and prayers with, insulting language. After this, she came to the writer of this paper and requested him to see her parent, whom all the family felt would not live long, adding, “Do not be afraid if he should swear at you, and bid you leave the room, as he did. Mr. —the other day; but I don’t think he will do so to you, somehow I have faith to believe he will listen to what you say; oh, do go.”
On my first visit he ordered his rifle to be brought, and explained its merits, saying much about his own importance, and stated that when a speaker failed to interest a large public meeting, he had been requested by nobility to stand up, and he had at once secured attention, and the meeting passed off well. I then said, alluding to himself, “Affliction is the common lot of man, and is the fruit of sin.” He was then assured that God is love, that He loves the sinner, which was proved in the gift of His only, well-beloved Son, who died the just for us the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
As I was requested not to talk much to him on my first visit, I shook hands, and going out of the room turned round and said in a loud voice, “The Lord bless you!” my heart being lifted up in earnest entreaty for the poor, dear man. He replied, “I thank you for your kindness; come again soon.”
In a few days I again visited him, much prayer for his conversion having been offered during the interval, and I found that the Holy Ghost had commenced a work in his soul, which was carried on with power during the two or three weeks he remained on earth. As soon as I entered his room, he arose from his armchair in his dressing gown (the poor fellow was an immense size, caused by dropsy) and embraced me in the strongest terms of affection; kissing my forehead, patting me on my cheek, embracing me with both arms, asking me to excuse it, saying, “You won’t mind it; we are both fathers, and in years.” It was done in love for the good news brought to him on my first visit, that GOD IS LOVE, which he was constantly dwelling on. I was enabled through grace to direct him to portions of the Word suited to meet his case.
Two or three days after I sent a few lines, principally quotations from the word of God, which had thoroughly broken down the once boasting infidel, the man of learning and ability, and filled him with the love of God in Christ. This he placed under his pillow, and would have it read to all his infidel friends who came to see him. My daughters called one day after, to whom he said, if he were raised up again, the remainder of his life should be spent in making known the love of God which he had so lately discovered; if it were possible, he would have it written on every leaf of every tree.
He sent a message to me, saying, “Do come again SOON; tell your father I want to hear MORE about these things.” He continued rejoicing, and in a few days his spirit was absent from his poor suffering body and present with the Lord.
Such was God’s grace to the infidel. Should this meet the eye of an infidel, the Lord may convince him that his principles will not stand the test of a dying hour, and that God has an eternal weight of glory to bestow on all those who believe in Jesus to the saving of the soul.