A missionary, Mr. D., was in a little town, when he noticed a man stop before a book store, in front of which were laid out a number of second-hand books. The man opened the books, one after the other, and put them aside, muttering to himself the while and appearing very discouraged. Mr. D. drew near and said,
"You do not seem to find what you want. If I may take the liberty of offering you my services, I should be glad to help you, if I can."
"I am much obliged to you," said he, "but that is just the difficulty. I have been looking for a certain book for several years, but I do not know what book it is."
"How is that?" asked Mr. D. in surprise.
The man took from his pocket a piece of paper, yellow and torn, which looked as if it came from a very old book, and handed it to Mr. D., saying:
"Look, sir, I should like to find the book from which that sheet came. I should especially like to know the end of the unfinished sentence at the bottom of it. Till now I have been unsuccessful in finding it." Mr. D. recognized at once a page of the New Testament.
"Well, my friend," said he, "if you will come with me, I will show you the book, and I will give it to you."
He took the man to his home and read to him the whole verse,
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). Then he gave the book to the man whose face just beamed with joy. They read several passages together, after which the man departed, saying,
"Yes, that's the book I have looked for so long. Thank you, sir, I am so happy to have it at last."
A few days after Mr. D. went to call on his new friend at his farm. He found him deeply touched by the wonderful grace of God revealed in his newly-found treasure. He had understood what being a sinner means, and that he was without strength to gain heaven by his own merits or by his good works, and that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for him, and was willing to save him. He believed the message and was saved.
If you, my reader, wish to read the Word of God, you will not have to wait for years to have, a copy of it, as did the poor farmer.
"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).