(A Letter)
"From my earliest years I was taught the doctrines of Scripture, and was brought up to reverence the Bible. When I reached the age of eighteen I 'joined the church,' and for twenty-three years I was a 'member' in full standing.
"During all these years I had frequent conversations with the minister and was in close friendship with several `officers' of the church. Yet I do not remember ever hearing the subject of personal conversion spoken of. Certainly I never was asked by anyone if I myself was a child of God, born of the Spirit.
"Church progress and religious work, the quality and delivery of sermons, choir singing and finance, all in turn were discussed; but 'the root of the matter,' the soul's relation to God, to Christ, to eternity, was never spoken of. It would almost seem as if many preachers have forgotten what they are there for, and give their time and energies to the mere framework of Christianity, neglecting the spiritual condition of their congregations.
"One day I had lunch with a commercial traveler with whose firm I had done business for years. In our conversation we drifted into 'church' matters. I remarked that 'great progress has been made since my early years in church psalmody and in the attractiveness of church services.'
“‘Perhaps,' said he; 'but I question if the gospel of salvation is so plainly preached and the need of personal conversion insisted on as in years gone by.'
"That statement astonished me, and gave me much concern. 'Personal conversion' had certainly not been spoken of, nor was it known by me.
"When he came again three months later, I was in sore trouble. I had been reading the lives of some of the early Christians, and had found that they all were `personally' converted. I asked the salesman the plain question, 'Are you a converted man, my friend?' And he at once replied, `Thank God, I am. I have rejoiced in the knowledge of God's salvation for more than twenty years.'
"Then he told me how he was awakened to see his need of being born again, and how he learned that salvation was not of works, but in virtue of the finished work of Christ alone.
"This was all new to me, so I determined to go and hear a preacher who had the reputation of being 'plain spoken,' and had been known to ask some of his congregation if they were saved.
"I shall never forget the upheaval in my own mind on hearing that servant of Christ proclaim: 'Salvation is of the Lord!'—all of grace, without price, and present to all who believe.
"A week later while I was reading John 3, verses 14 and 15, the Spirit of God made it good to my soul and I received God's salvation. I praise Him for showing me my need of 'personal conversion,' and the way in which it was brought about."
Reader, may I ask, "Have you been 'personally converted'? Are you born again? ARE YOU SAVED?"