92. Charles Haddon Spurgeon
was converted while listening to a very unlettered man speaking in a small Methodist Chapel on a snowy day, from the words, "Look unto Me and be ye saved." Fixing his eyes on the stranger, he said, "Young man, you look very miserable. Look to Jesus Christ: look now." He did look then and there, and was saved.
93. Martin Luther
while engaged climbing Pilate's staircase in Rome, for which act the Pope had decreed an indulgence, was arrested by the words read before, but not understood, flashing through his mind, "The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:1515So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (Romans 1:15)). He rose, and fled from the place, ashamed of his ignorance, and from that hour his motto was, "Faith alone, without works of ours, can justify a sinner before God.”
94. Brownlow North
a Scotch nobleman, was awakened by the Spirit of God to see his sin, his need, and his danger. Seized with a sudden illness, he retired to his room in deep agony, and while his maid lit a fire in the room, he was deeply impressed with the desire to confess his sins to God, and cry for mercy. But the maid was there, and fear prevented. The struggle was great, but he dropped on his knees, and in the presence of the maid cried to God for pardon. He believes that was the turning point, the hour of decision in his life.
95. Sir Arthur Blackwood
for many years an honored preacher of the Word, was walking with Miss Marsh, a true soul-winner, who spoke to the young Society leader about his salvation, to which he replied, "I could never give up the pleasures of life which I enjoy so much to become a Christian, Miss Marsh." "You are quite mistaken Mr. Blackwood, I do not ask you to give up anything. I simply ask you to receive." That word changed his view of entering on the Christian life. He received Christ (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)), and in "the expulsive power of a new affection," it was easy then to give up the pleasures of sin and the world.
96. James Haldane
when a British Naval Officer, was a notorious swearer. During an engagement he became enraged at his men, and wished himself and them "in hell." A highland sailor touching his cap, said, "Captain, God hears prayer. If he had answered yours just now, where should we all have been?" These words resulted in Haldane's conversion. He led his infidel brother to Christ, and both became honored preachers of the Gospel, the fruits of which are seen in Scotland to-day.
97. President Garfield
told the story of his conversion as follows:-"I injured my foot in chopping a piece of wood. The blue dye in my homemade socks poisoned the wound, and I was kept at home. Just then, a remarkable Revival began in our neighborhood, and being unable to go from home, I went to the meetings, and was converted. New desires then possessed me, and I determined to seek an education that I might live more usefully for Christ.”
98. Dr. James Gray
of the Moody Institute, Chicago, was reading a book by Dr William Arnot of Glasgow, when his eye fell on the lines, "Every soul not already won to Jesus is already lost." That message awakened him from a false profession, and let him to Christ.
99. Donald Ross
the Scottish evangelist, when in deep distress about his soul, was crossing a heather hill in Ross-shire, when the words of John 18:88Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: (John 18:8), spoken by the Lord to those who came to arrest Him, came to his mind, "If ye seek Me, let these go their way." He saw therein the great truth of substitution. Christ was taken, bound, and led to death: "these," His followers, went free. And resting in the great Gospel fact that "Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)), he entered into peace.
100. Captain Hedley Vicars
while awaiting the return of a brother officer in his room, picked up a Bible which lay on the table, and turning over its leaves idly, his eye fell on the words of 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7), "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." These words, received in faith, were the means of his conversion. He fell in battle before Sebastopol in 1855.
101. a German Count
was so convicted of his sinful life, that he determined to become a monk, and was directed to seek admission to a Monastery 1500 miles off, where the penance was severe, and the discipline strict. Under a scorching sun the journey was made, and the place reached. Ringing the bell, an aged monk opened the gate, and learning his business, admitted him to a shelter for the night. He told the old man his story, and got the following counsel: "If you want to be saved you have come to the wrong place. Christ has finished the work, and there is nothing left for you to do." The young German believed the old man's message, and returned to Germany saved by grace.
102. the Edinburgh Student
"What do you think of the Professor's new views, Charles?" said a Divinity student to his companion, as they walked across the North Bridge together from the University. Quietly the answer came, "If you were to build yourself a home, whether would you choose for a foundation, the Castle Rock or Portobello Sands?" That was all that passed, but that word resulted in the Divinity student building his soul on the Rock Christ, and refusing the shifting sands of "advanced" thought.
103. an Irish Landowner
on a visit to Dublin, called on an old schoolmate, a banker. "What's doing in King's County," asked the banker. "Having good times. Lots of races, dances, and hunts." "That reminds me of a wise man's words, which I'll just read you," and drawing his Bible from his desk the banker read Eccl. 11:99Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. (Ecclesiastes 11:9), ending with, "For all these things God will bring thee into judgment." He rose hurriedly, amazed at the turn things had taken. The truth was, his former chum had been converted, and he knew how such a life would end. For days he was in misery. God's "judgment” awaited him. Unable to endure it longer, he took the train to Dublin, went straight to his friend, was pointed to Christ, soundly converted, and returned to his home, and when met by a number of his former companions, he held up his Bible and confessed Christ.
104. Philip Mauro
a New-York barrister, who had become a skeptic, was walking along Broadway towards a theater, to seek pleasure. He had taken his place in the line of ticket buyers, when an irresistible power withdrew him from the crowd. The sound of singing falling on his ear, he walked in the direction from which it came, and finding a Gospel Meeting he entered, sat through the simple service, and heard the way of life. Conviction of sin and soul trouble following, and on May 24, 1903, he says, "I took the sinner's place, and confessed myself in need of the grace of God." Now he lives to preach the good news to others.
105. Richard Weaver
the Lancashire pugilist, prize-fighter, and afterward preacher, was engaged to fight on 21st May, 1832. Lying in bed, he heard his brother come in from a meeting, and tell what he had heard. He was awakened about his state, and slept none. On the day he was to fight, he entered the field in the early morning, dropped on his knees in a sand hole, and cried to God for mercy. There the words of John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) came to his mind as from his mother's lips, and to use his own words, "I accepted His gift, believed in God's Word, and found that 'whosoever' included me also. There and then peace aria joy came to my heart.”
106. Lord Cecil
while evangelizing in Canada, came upon a man lying drunk by the wayside. It seemed useless to say anything to one in such a condition, but he felt impressed to sound a warning in his ear. Stooping down he shouted, "Man, you are going to hell," twice over. Some nights after, he came to the place where Lord Cecil was preaching, in deep distress, and was truly converted to God. "Instant in season, out of season" (2 Tim. 4:22Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2)).
107. Susanna Wesley
mother of John and' Charles Wesley, the celebrated Methodist preachers, a clergyman's wife, and devoutly religious, was not, for much of her life, in the enjoyment of God's salvation. It was while her son John was preaching on the words, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin," that she saw the way of salvation, and rested her soul upon Christ alone.
108. Count Zinzendorf
while standing before Stenburg's great picture of "The Crucifixion," upon which the words were written—
“This I did for thee,
What doest thou for Me,”
yielded himself, his fortune, and his lands to Christ, and served Him from that day onward.
109. Dr. Chalmers
had preached as parish minister of Dalmeny for twelve years before he knew the saving power of the Gospel in his own soul. His efforts to reform his parishioners by preaching the Law having failed to effect a change, he turned to the Gospel which, first receiving in his own soul for his personal salvation, he proclaimed to others with great power and grand results.
110. Alexander the Second
Emperor of Russia, while at Heidelberg, was asked by a Christian lady, "Sire, have you peace with God?" That question staggered the Emperor, and made him, think. Sometime after, he told that lady, "I have discovered that, I am a great sinner, but I have also, learned that it was to save sinners that Jesus came. In Him alone I believe, on Him rely." From that time there was a marked change in the Emperor's life. He left the company of skeptics, and sought the society of godly people.
111. Selina, Countess of Huntingdon
shortly after her marriage to Lord Huntingdon, became concerned about her personal salvation. Three sisters of her husband, all converted under the ministry of Mr. Ingham, a fellow-student of John Wesley, spoke to her. Lady Margaret told her that since her conversion, she had been as "happy as an angel." This was something new in the way of religion, which she had thought was dull. Determined to prove for herself the reality of it, she shut herself up with her Bible, and there found that rest which Jesus gives to the weary (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). She it was who thanked God for the letter "m" in 1 Cor. 1:2626For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26).