One evening a number of soldiers gathered around me as I stood on the street reading from the New Testament. One of these began an argument, criticizing the divine Book. I concluded from what he said that he had at some time heard the gospel preached, and I asked him if that was not so. He admitted it, and added that his father had been converted through Moody's preaching.
This gave me an opportunity to speak of the mighty work accomplished on the cross. All those listening to me seemed greatly surprised at the magnitude of this perfect work. I had never before seen such a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. But one of the men then said: "Well, friend, we do not wish to argue the matter further now.”
"No, we will not argue," I answered. "But after what you have heard, it is a question of yes or no for each one. What is your response, men?”
One of the men, with tears coursing down his cheeks, said, "My answer is `yes'.”
By the blessed influence of the Holy Spirit a number of these soldiers unconditionally surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. Taking the hand of a silent one, I asked what was his answer.
"Well, sir," he said, "I cannot answer tonight. I must consider the cost.”
He promised that he would settle this great question without loss of time, and I left him for the night. The following day he returned, bringing three soldiers with him. His testimony was very touching.
"Well," said he, "we have gone fully into the question that was before us last evening and we have arrived at this conclusion: there can be no answer given other than 'Yes.'”
These men were shortly after sent to the front and one of them wrote to me of his joy in the Lord Jesus as his Savior and constant Companion in the midst of turmoil and strife.