A missionary, Mr. Delany, was in a little town in the middle of France. One day he saw a man, apparently a farmer, stop before a bookshop in front of which were laid out a number of secondhand books. The man opened the books, one after the other, and then put them aside, muttering to himself all the while and appearing more and more discouraged.
Mr. Delany 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. What book do you want?”
"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. Delany in surprise.
The man took from his pocket a piece of paper, yellow and torn. It looked as if it came from a very old book. He handed it to Mr. Delany, saying: "Look, sir, I want to find the book from which that page 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. Delany 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. Indeed, I will give it to you.”
He took the peasant to his lodging and read to him the whole verse: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 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 later Mr. Delany went to see his new friend at his farm. He found him deeply touched by the wonderful grace of God revealed in his newfound 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. He now knew that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for him, and was willing to save him. He believed the message and was saved.