AS Mr. L. W., an evangelist, was one day traveling from Leominster to Hereford several old farmers, who were in the same carriage with him, were complaining of the bad times. One said he did not see how it was possible to carry on, unless the landlord reduced the rent, for he had kept three calves, and had just taken them to market, and had been obliged to sell them for less than they cost him. “Gentlemen, excuse me,” exclaimed a young man who was present, “I have lost more than a thousand pounds, and am tired of farming in his country, so I am going to Australia.”
This statement elicited a general chorus of contrary opinions and remonstrances. “There is a black crow everywhere,” said one; another remarked that those who could not do well in England were likely to turn out failures in other countries. At this the intended emigrant looked rather depressed, having got the worst of the argument. At this juncture Mr. W. put his hand upon his shoulder, saying earnestly, “It is far better to be sure of going to heaven.”
“Ah! it is sir,” replied a farmer fervently. “There is no sorrow there; here is plenty of disappointment and trial.”
Mr. W. entered into conversation with the young man, who paid marked attention to what he said, and upon getting out at the station he exclaimed, “Well! I’ll miss a train to know how to make a start for heaven.” So they walked up and down the platform together, and the evangelist explained to the earnest enquirer the way of salvation through “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” As they were looking together at the third chapter of John’s Gospel, the eyes of the young man glistened, and he cried out eagerly, “I see it all! Jesus has died for me, a sinner, and I must trust Him. Yes,” continued he, “and I do trust Him, and whether the journey to heaven be short or long, I take Him as my Saviour and Guide.”
How the heart of the faithful servant of God rejoiced as he bade good-bye to the young man who had found Jesus, and who, on his journey to a distant land, had for his Friend Him that “sticketh closer than a brother.”
Dear reader, young or old, if you do not “see it all,” without one moment’s delay, as you sit, or stand, or walk, or lie, come at once to Jesus, for He waits to save you. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” It was while reading this fourteenth verse of the third chapter of John’s Gospel that this young man exclaimed, “I see it all!” May the Holy Spirit lead you to see it too. R. C. C.