S.V. was an engine driver. When about 50 years of age, he was afflicted with cancer. This was terrible for one dead in trespasses and sins. But God used the affliction in blessing to his soul. After much suffering in body, and not a little distress of mind, one day during the visit of a servant of Christ, to use S.V.’s own words, “I felt a change come over my heart and conscience.” His visitor had very gently pointed out to him, “You know, Mr. V—, it does not matter what a man has been,” and showed that, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ the vilest sinner is saved. S.V. believed and was saved.
“It was that verse,” he said afterward, “that did it.” 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), “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
One day when he was very ill and suffering, being asked on what his hope was grounded, he pointed with his finger to this text which had been brought him, and which was hanging on the wall, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
On one occasion the landlady of a certain public house (one of the many he had frequented when in health and strength, spending his substance in riotous living), came to see him, and poured into his ear the tale of sorrow in her family, the grief they were daily and hourly causing her. Poor women, she was reaping in her own children some of the sorrows she had for years been sowing in many another home.
And she had NO COMFORT. This she owned to her sick friend. “But there is comfort, Mrs. D—,”said he, “there’s comfort in this book,” his little red “Marked Testament” which lay upon his bed.
After S.V. had passed away, and the once suffering, now lifeless, body was lying in the coffin, his wife requested that this precious red “Marked Testament” might be placed beneath his hands, open at the verse which shone in life giving power into his soul, 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), “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“That means me! That means me!
Blessed ‘whosoever,’ that means me!”