It was at the close of a revival meeting. The final appeal had been made and the preacher advised the congregation to go home— it was ten o'clock and the meeting had commenced at seven.
Suddenly a man dropped on his knees in the center of the hall and cried:
"O God, save me; be merciful to me a sinner!"
This man, well known in the community, had a skin disease which rendered his appearance repulsive. As he prayed for mercy, every eye in the place was dim and many cheeks were wet with tears.
The preacher knelt beside him, repeated what he considered appropriate texts, and then waited.
Slowly the man raised his head and what a change! His disfigured face had become radiant with heavenly peace and joy. Still on his knees he cried: "I am saved; I am saved! Oh, happy day! Oh, happy day! The Lord has washed my sins away." Then rising to his feet, he repeated, "I'm saved, friends, I'm saved." He then addressed them: "Last night I went to the pierhead fully determined to jump in and drown. Because of my disease I knew that my appearance was offensive to you all— even to those who love me. And because of my sins, I felt I was offensive to God. Satan seemed to whisper:
“‘Neither God nor man wants you; put an end to it all.'
"These have been my thoughts for the last two days. Last night I stood on the pier in great anguish of spirit— afraid to jump in, and too miserable to stay out. I know now it was the voice of God saying:
“’Don’t jump in; go to the meeting tomorrow night.’ And here I am—saved.”
He paused for a little. No one dared to break the silence. Then He prayed again:
"Now that I am saved, would God please take me Home and relieve me Home and relieve me of my suffering? I am ready to go, and have no wish to stay."
It was not long before God answered his prayer, for in the course of three months, during which he witnessed in a wonderful way to the saving grace of God, his wish was granted.
End