Many years ago in Russia God by His Spirit was working mightily to draw hearts to Himself and to gather them around the Person of His dear Son. Who shall not say that, because of His foreknowledge of the present God-less state of that vast country, our gracious God and Father was then visiting that land in power, and shedding upon it the full brightness of the glorious Gospel while hearts and doors were open to Him? In view of the happy testimony of those few years it is indeed sad that one must now record: "And the door was shut.”
Among those whom God used in Russia to carry the good news of salvation through simple faith in the Lord Jesus was Major Paschkoff. He was a zealous and wealthy believer in Christ who devoted all his strength and resources to the furtherance of the Gospel. In his home near Moscow many dear children of God gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus poor ones, rich ones, those despised by the great, and the most eminent of the nobles. To one such, a young French governess in Major Paschkoff's home, we are indebted for the following incident extracted from a letter to a brother:
"Before closing I must tell you an event which happened last Lord's Day, and which shows again the wonderful ways of God.
"Major Paschkoff was driving with one of his friends to a distant village to preach the Gospel. Having got about half way, suddenly one of the horses became lame and it was impossible to continue the journey. The meeting was announced for a certain hour, but they were helpless.
"While they asked God's guidance, a countryman came out of the woods which were along the way. Seeing their predicament, he offered to provide a conveyance and drive them himself to their destination. They willingly accepted the kindness.
"Scarcely were they seated and on their way, when the driver, a toil worn man of seventy years, turned in his seat to face Major Paschkoff. He had just learned who his passenger was! He told the major that he had tried to find him for more than three years, but that he never succeeded because he always arrived too late after he heard where a meeting was being held. Several times he had gone to a distant village expecting to find Major Paschkoff, but each time he was disappointed as the meeting would be in a different place.
"The poor man was almost discouraged when God Himself ruled the circumstances so that he could now hear the glad tidings of salvation. He told with trembling voice and bitter tears the troubles of his soul—his fear of death and his burning desire to find forgiveness for his sins. He said he was `willing to do anything' to find peace.
"Major Paschkoff began to read to him some of the passages of scripture that tell of God's free grace, of His gift of His Son, of His great love and mercy, and of the willing sacrifice of Christ.
"The old man listened with close attention. His heart began to apprehend the meaning of those precious words. His face shone with joy. Suddenly he exclaimed, 'Oh, it is enough—enough! Now I have what I have longed for! Thanks be to God!' In his joy, the good man forgot his duty as driver. The reins and whip fell out of his hands, while big tears rolled down his cheeks—tears of joy and thanks to God. His lips were unable to express his gratitude his happiness had made him dumb.
"Major Paschkoff's friend took the reins and the old man, now our brother in Christ, listened with 'joy and sorrow mingled' to the wondrous story of Christ's finished work for us on Calvary. He cannot read, is very untaught; but now he possesses all he needed for eternal salvation. He does not know anything but that Christ died for him, that He has washed him from his sins in His own precious blood; and that suffices to fill his soul with joy.
"Is not that wonderful, dear brother? Yet God is worthy to be admired in all His ways.
Who would have thought that the laming of a horse would have led to the bringing of a soul to Christ?”