SUPPER was ended, but we were still sitting around the table, as indeed the most convenient place in the little apartment, threshing out certain questions which we had partly met together for the purpose of discussing. Then the conversation turned on personal matters, and the Lord's gracious dealings with one and another of us, either as to the soul's first awakening, or the later deliverance from the mists and confusions of human systems into the full light and liberty of the gospel. In the course of these narratives, one of our little party told his story, which, as correctly as I can, I shall now repeat.
“It was neither in church nor chapel," he began,” nor anywhere else under the preaching of the gospel when the arrow of the Lord entered my soul. But one day, when sitting on my shoemaker's bench, the question was suddenly put to me by a fellow-workman, Ernest, are you saved?' Then he related how taken aback he was by the question, the directness of it allowing no parley. It must be either Yes ' or No.' He had been very religiously brought up, and during a good part of his boyhood might have been called the chaplain of the family, for every evening just before separating for their different dormitories, the members of the family would be called together in his mother's room—she already undressed and lying in bed—and a large book of family prayers given him from which he would read the portion for the evening.
“Years, it is true, had passed since then, and whatever might have been his thoughts on spiritual matters he had never up to that day been deeply concerned. And now this question of questions It must, however, be answered. After a few moments' cogitation, the safest thing, he thought, was to make the answer as brief as possible. He therefore simply said, No'; to which there came the instant rejoinder, What! do you not believe that Jesus died to save you?’
“Yes,' he replied, I believe that Jesus died to save me, but...' and further speech was stopped. For just then there was an awakening of his soul he had never experienced before-fear growing into terror as to his real state and unfitness to appear before God, and then a yearning after a purer and higher life than he had hitherto lived. In short, the hour had struck for decision; and, by the grace of the All-merciful, he was enabled then and there to yield himself to the Saviour.”
Thus was this beloved brother brought to know and follow the Shepherd; and, ever since, his delight has been to go out at the Shepherd's command and bid other lost and wandering ones come. Yet still the Shepherd is calling, and His gracious words are, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Will you then come at once, without delay?
E. H. H.