About forty years ago, when preaching in the open air was not as common as it is today, George Brealey, a devoted English evangelist, announced a series of open air meetings in a remote part of Devonshire. Many of those to whom he desired to present the gospel were much opposed to him, some even threatened that if he came they would burn him. He replied “They will have to get the wood ready today, as I hope to be there tomorrow.”
At the time appointed he went, and found a large number assembled, young and old. It was truly a motley group, some of them were bent double with age, some were blind, others lame, and all wore the appearance of misery and woe. But the power of the Lord was there, and many, that night, for the first time, went home to weep and cry for mercy.
Among those who were thus awakened was a man who had been greatly opposed to the meetings, and would neither come himself nor allow his wife to come. Open-air preaching was so strange and new to them that the wife told her husband she intended to go; to which he replied “If you go it will be the worse for you when I come home.” His threat however did not deter her. As he spent much time at the ale-house, she expected to be at home again before he returned.
And now behold the hand of the Lord. The meeting had just commenced with singing a hymn, when this very man, carrying a bundle of bean sticks on his shoulder, was attracted to the spot by the sound of singing. As he came in sight of the people, he placed the bundle of sticks against the hedge, and lay down behind it to be out of view. But He who had drawn him there, was about to reveal Himself to his soul, and therefore he could not be hid.
The words spoken by the preacher sounded strangely to him. The speaker told them that the great King had sent a message to every man and woman there, to invite them to spend an eternity with Him in joys that could not be told; that the message was especially sent to those in the highways and hedges.
The man came from his hiding place, and gradually drew nearer and nearer to the preacher, until he stood close to his wife. Both were so intently listening to the speaker’s words, they were not aware of each other’s presence until the meeting was over. Then they went home together to weep over their newly-discovered state as sinners. It was not long before the Lord revealed Himself to them both as the Saviour of sinners, and they were enabled to rejoice together.
And now what a difference was seen in their lives, the work was a real work, and everyone around could see a different man, and a different woman. Their one desire was to lead their children to Jesus, and to use their own words, “We are determined, through grace, to have an empty house when the Lord shall come.” After several years of living testimony to the reality of conversion, the whole family went to America, and after being a bright and shining light for Jesus in that land, he was called to the inheritance incorruptible. The following letter was received after his death from a fellow Christian:
“Beloved Brother: You will be glad to have a few particulars respecting the death of our dear brother who so sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. He was true to the Lord to the last and he fell in harness, a true devoted laborer in the gospel. He called us round his bed just before he departed to be with the Lord, and said, ‘Be whole hearted for Christ, spirit, soul and body, for when you come to the place I am now in, you will see how very little you have done for Him who has done so much for you. Therefore be whole-hearted for Him. I am about to enter into His presence who loved me and gave Himself for me. We shall soon meet yonder.’ And bidding us farewell, he called his unconverted neighbors, and filled his bedroom with them. He said, ‘I have called you to witness how a Christian can die. I have no fears, for Jesus has washed all my sins away in His precious blood; and I am going to meet Him, and I want you to meet me there also. Jesus wants you. He died to save you, and He says, Come to Me, come! come!’ He ceased to speak. He rested from his sufferings and from his labors. He had entered in to see the King in His beauty. There was great weeping by the unconverted; and from that scene, one at least received life in Christ, and we have hopes of others. While upon us it has left the feeling of Elisha, as he returned from witnessing the rapture of Elijah.”