She was visiting one morning among the sick and injured in a military hospital. One of the patients had shortly before been brought in with a badly smashed leg. He was young; but how repulsive was his countenance, with its sullen and impudent expression!
As the visiting missionary came toward his bed; he exclaimed that he wanted no preaching, for he was not going to die. Then, to deter any Christian effort, he swore violently.
God's messengers, however, dare not be easily turned from their God-given ministry. The value of each soul is estimated too great for them to permit personal considerations to hinder their efforts to claim it for Christ. Therefore, seating herself at the sufferer's bedside, the Christian talked to him of secular concerns, his friends and circumstances. She was paving the way for higher and holier themes by thus gaining his attention.
Gradually the soldier had unbended and chatted away without restraint. When finally the visitor rose, saying that other engagements were then before her, she asked if he would allow her, after such a long talk on things pleasing to him, to say a few words that were on her heart.
With reluctance he consented. Praying humbly for God's guidance she admitted that she had no worthy words of her own, but must choose for this time to read some of God's own words. However, she conceded that, if he liked, he might select the particular portion he would prefer to hear. After thinking a minute, he replied: "Oh well, read some part of Proverbs. That has only moral sayings in it—no heart-work.”
The Christian visitor turned the pages of her Bible, fervently praying for the right passage to choose, and was guided to the first chapter. She read from verse 24 through 28.
"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me." Prov. 1:24-2824Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: (Proverbs 1:24‑28).
Truly was this word then proved faithful: for "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
The look of contemptuous derision and indifference on the listener's face changed to one of interest; then to one of awe and excitement. Before she closed the Book, the soldier was weeping. With trembling voice, he exclaimed that he was one of the refusers and despisers at whom God would laugh. Having mocked at God and spurned His truth so much and so long, he feared that it was too late for him to be saved, or for pardon ever to be granted to him.
But the Spirit led him to Jesus; and the scorner became a loving disciple, giving evidence of the work of God in his soul.
The "book of morals" was evermore a specially dear portion of the Bible to him, as that which had brought him to know the Lord and himself. The sinner had turned at the reproof, and the Reprover gave him the blessing.