One afternoon, wearied in making house-to-house visits, the air of the over-crowded houses being so oppressive, I turned into a quiet little street, and opening my Bible, read aloud the story of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5).
Attracted by such an unusual proceeding, several persons gathered around me, and others stood at the doors or at uplifted windows, and listened to the wonderful ancient story.
I next told of sin, of its leprous character, of the blood of cleansing, and in conclusion urged each hearer to—
"Prove the value of the blood
Of Jesus crucified."
I was about to leave when a woman with a pleasant face, and neatly dressed, came out of a house opposite to where I had been standing, and approached me, saying respectfully,
"Pardon me, sir, but will you come and speak to my brother?"
"Gladly, madam," I replied, and followed her into the house.
"None of your preaching here; a lot of canting hypocrites! None of it here; that's what I say."
Such were the words which greeted my ears as I followed my conductress into the room from which the sounds proceeded.
There, on a mangle sat a big man about forty years of age, clad in a butcher's blouse. There also were his wife and three children, one a little cripple girl about six years old.
My entrance put a stop to the loud talk of the man, and sitting down on the mangle beside him, I took from my pocket some books, and gave one with pictures to the little cripple. Then selecting a copy of a monthly magazine, I read to them one of the interesting stories it contained.
"How pretty!" said the little Cripple. "It's beautiful!" exclaimed the wife.
"Not much the matter with that," added the man.
Folding up the paper and offering it to him, I replied,
"You are welcome to this, my friend; and I will soon come and read to you again."
For many weeks I regularly called, and each time read other interesting stories. The man was very civil, and the little cripple was delighted to see me.
Very soon the wife was induced to attend the mission services, and after a year had passed away, in answer to earnest and persevering prayer, one night the husband came to the meeting, and heard the tale of redeeming love.
About this time the wife saw that he was making great efforts and forming strong resolutions to leave off his wicked habits, and to free himself from his evil companions.
Their eldest daughter (a fine young woman, aged nineteen years) came home from service very ill; she rapidly grew worse, lingered a few weeks, and died.
I was present at her death. The mother supported the dying girl in her arms; the brothers and sisters stood around weeping; the father placed himself at the foot of the bed, and tears streamed down his face as he looked on the heaving chest, and heard the quick heavy breathing of his departing child.
Addressing her brother and sister, the dying girl said,
"Be good children to father and mother; and think of Jesus, and love Him, and you will meet me in heaven."
Turning to her mother, she continued,
"Mother, dear, you do love Jesus, and Jesus loves us all, and you will meet me in heaven."
"Then, my child, you are not afraid to die?" asked her mother.
"No, mother, why should I be afraid?" answered the girl. "Jesus has suffered for our sins, and God has said He will spare all who trust in the blood of Christ, the same as He did the people in Egypt. I am going to heaven, and you will meet me there."
And the mother kissed her child, and the child kissed her mother.
"Father!"
"Yes, my child."
"Come to me; let me kiss you." And they kissed each other.
"Father, will you meet me in heaven?" He weeps, but answers not.
Again, in voice calm and firm, comes the inquiry,
"Father, dear, will you meet me in heaven?"
And the father falls on his knee, and buries his face in the bed-clothes, and bitter sobs and groans shake his strong frame.
Again, with increased emphasis, the daughter asks:
"Father, will you meet me in heaven?"
"O! my child," replies the man, "God helping me, I will meet you in heaven."
A few months after the death of his daughter, something occurred which showed that the Holy Spirit was working mightily in the heart of the man. I missed him from his usual place at the meeting on the Lord's Day evening. On the following Tuesday he was again absent from the Bible-class. The next day I called at his house to inquire after him, fearing he was ill.
With downcast looks and stammering tongue, he said:
"Mr. F—, I am a bad man." I shall never forget his look of horror and penitence as he continued, "On Saturday last I cursed my children; I am a wretch to do such a thing;" and as the tears started in his eyes, again he said: "I cursed my children, I did."
He had returned from the market the worse for drink; then went into the little backyard and lay down on a bench and fell asleep. The children were sent to awake him. While thus sleepy, muddled, and annoyed at being aroused, the "old man" showed itself in oaths and curses; but the Holy Spirit was there also, and His convicting power was felt. Horror-stricken at what he had done, the man felt himself to be "vile," and in bitterness of soul cried:
Brought now to feel his state, to see his condition as guilty and perishing, he found his desperate case was met by the boundless love of God in saving the lost through Christ Jesus; and when by faith' he saw the Lord of glory take his place and suffer in his stead, with trembling voice he sang:
"O! 'tis a wondrous sight,
All sights above:
Jesus the curse sustains,
Guilt's bitter cup He drains;
Nothing for us remains,
Nothing but love."
One evening an experienced Christian visited him to converse with him, and to see the change which grace had wrought. With faltering lips the butcher told of the mercy that had reached him, adding, "I am like one of them things took out of the fire," referring to that scripture,
Henceforth was in him exemplified that which was written by the apostle Paul:
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-1411For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14).
A gentleness of manner and a kindliness of speech became habitual to him; love filled his breast, and peace and concord dwelt at home. His wife and family felt the change, and praised the name of the Lord. He was now an "epistle of Christ" and a wonder unto many. With him "old things had passed away." (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)).
"Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).