An Authentic Narrative
A poor, weak-minded man, named Joseph, whose employment was to go on errands and carry parcels, passing through London streets one day, heard the singing of Psalms in Dr. Calamy’s Church, Aldermanbury. He went into it, having a large parcel of yarn hanging over his shoulders.
The Doctor, after a while, read his text from 1 Timothy 1:15,15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
From this he preached, in the clearest manner, the ancient and apostolic Gospel, that there is eternal salvation for the vilest sinner, through the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who made all things.
Joseph, in rags, gazing with astonishment, never took his eyes from the preacher, but drank in with eagerness all he heard. Trudging homewards, he was overheard muttering to himself, “Joseph never heard this before! Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who made all things, came into the world to save sinners like Joseph: ―and this is true: ―and it is a ‘faithful saying!’”
Soon afterward Joseph was seized with fever, and was dangerously ill. As he tossed upon his bed, his constant language was, “Joseph is the chief of sinners: but Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and Joseph loves Him for this.” His neighbors, who came to see him wondered at hearing him always dwell on this subject. Some of them addressed him in the following manner: “But what say you of your own heart, Joseph? Is there no token for good about it? No saving change there? Have you closed, with Christ by acting faith upon Him?” “Ah! no,” says he; “Joseph can act nothing: Joseph has nothing to say for himself, but that he is the chief of sinners: yet seeing that it is a faithful saying that Jesus, He who made all things, came into the world to save sinners, why may not Joseph, after all be saved?”
Some one finding out where he heard this doctrine, on which he uniformly dwelt with so much delight, went and asked Dr. Calamy to come and visit him. He came; but Joseph was now very weak, and had not spoken for some time, and though told of the Doctor’s arrival, he took no notice of him; but when the Doctor began to speak to him, as soon as he heard the sound of his voice, Joseph sprang upon his elbows, and, seizing his hands, exclaimed as loud as he could, with his now feeble and trembling voice,” O sir! you are the friend of the Lord Jesus, whom I heard speak so well of Him. Joseph is the chief of sinners: but it is a faithful saying, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who made all things, came into the world to save sinners, and why not Joseph? O, pray to that Jesus for me; pray that He may save me; tell Him that Joseph thinks that He loves him for coming into the world to save such sinners as Joseph. “The Doctor prayed: when he concluded, Joseph thanked him most kindly. He then put his hand under his pillow and took out an old rag, in which were tied up five guineas, and putting it into the Doctor’s hand (which he had kept all the while close in his), he thus addressed him:” Joseph, in his folly, had laid this up to keep him in his old age; but Joseph will never see old age; take it, and divide it among the poor friends of the Lord Jesus, and tell them, that Joseph gave it them for His sake, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is the chief.” So saying, he reclined his head. His exertion in talking had been too much for him, so that he instantly expired.
Dr. Calamy left this scene, but not without shedding tears over Joseph; and used to tell this little story with much feeling, and as one of the most affecting occurrences he ever met with.
It may furnish the reader with matter for serious reflection. The congregation where Joseph heard the glad tidings of salvation through Christ, was large and fashionable.
Most of them, it may be, were occupied with themselves and their own thoughts and persons They went, perhaps, to see and be seen, as is often the case, and listened heedlessly to that which was spoken. But not so with poor Joseph. He listened as to a voice from heaven—he drank in every word. With others, the word fell like seed on stony ground, or by the wayside. Their minds were intent on other things; and, perhaps, after leaving the door of the church, they never once more thought of what they had heard, although it was God’s Word; but Joseph received it as God’s Word, and not as man’s word, and treated it as such. He heard it as with the ears of his soul. He held it fast, and thought upon it. Others cared for the things of this world, and slighted the good news of salvation; but Joseph, after he heard it, cared for nothing else. His mind was intent on his salvation. He knew that he was a sinner, and his soul clung to Jesus as the Saviour of sinners; for he believed what was written in the Word of God, that Jesus came into the world for this gracious purpose. Jesus died, “the just for the unjust.” He “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,” that he might bring us to God.
Joseph trusted in this blessed assurance. He believed in the love of God to us, sinners as we are, and this love drew forth his own. His faith was not an airy notion, but a principle of action. It was evidenced by his love, of which he gave substantial proof by giving to the poor friends of the Lord Jesus all that he possessed.
Poor Joseph had no faith in himself. Simple-minded as he was, he appears to have learned rapidly the lesson which many Christians are slow to learn. He appears to have renounced self in every form. He did not rely on the work in his soul for his comfort; nor did he trust in his faith for his confidence. He turned away from himself to rest solely on Jesus, his Almighty Saviour. Reposing in him, he could not but die in peace.