WHEN I first knew H. F—, his short hair marked him as a prison bird. He was about nineteen years of age, and had linked himself with a party of youths who were notorious thieves. A tradesman who had lost goods repeatedly, determined to prosecute the first lad caught stealing. Poor H. F—was the one.
To avoid the constable in pursuit, he waded through a pond, but was apprehended, and locked up in his wet clothes to await his trial, which resulted in conviction and a period in jail. Consumption was the result of this treatment, which terminated his life in about two years’ time.
After his term of imprisonment, he felt ashamed to show himself in the streets; but hearing one of his brothers went to a class of boys my sister had in the neighborhood, H. F—determined to go (though much older than those who attended), in order to get out of the way at home, where he was not wanted by his parents, whom he had disgraced. Sitting quietly one Tuesday with the boys, God’s blessed message of salvation simply told, was listened to by H. F—with wonder. It was just what he needed. He had now no friends, no character—all about him was proved to be only evil. What good news to hear that the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost—just like him. He received the words spoken, and was saved then and there.
Oh, what a change came over his life from that hour! All things were new, and all was of God. Work was obtained as a costermonger, and he began to preach. It was most touching to hear him tell of how God had met and stopped him on the way to everlasting destruction. Doubtless some were brought to Christ through him. He never seemed to tire of telling out the great things God had done for his soul.
Consumption showed itself, however, only too plainly; the hectic cheek and fearful cough told their own tale, but nothing was allowed to dim the joy of his spirit. Once when calling to take some little delicacy to tempt his failing appetite, his sister met me with the words, “Brother Harry is laughing.” His face was lit up with joy, which she had mistaken for a laugh.
I learned by his bedside much of what God’s grace can do. When the end of his journey came, he begged his mother to get on her knees and pray the Lord to come and release him. “He is so long in coming,” he added, after inquiring what the time was. A little later he cried out with energy, “Mother, He has come; Jesus is here,” and quietly ceased to breathe.
Dear reader, only think what that deathbed would have meant if H. F—had not received God’s salvation. Where are you as to your soul? Perhaps you have lived a very different life from this lad, but there is only one Saviour for the moral or the immoral. Let me entreat you to follow his example in accepting the salvation which God offers now, without money and without price. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
S. R. R.