"Some years ago the light of the gospel of God's grace first shone into my soul. It was while I was hearing a sermon on this text: 'Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven' Acts 1:1111Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11).
"The preacher began with the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. He went through all the course of the Lord's life. Then he spoke of His death. He said it was, as it were, a week's work, and Saturday night came when on the cross He said, 'It is finished.'
"'This being so,' said he, 'What do we look for next? And who is ready for that great event?'”
The speaker was Joseph Parks, the village blacksmith. He was standing near his anvil, with his leather apron on. His brawny arms were folded, while his mild blue eyes sparkled with joy as he spoke of Jesus.
Behind him stood his helpers. As they worked, the old shed gave forth its music, as alternately the forge roared to the blast of the bellows, and the ringing hammer beat the chilling iron into the required shape.
"I was about eighteen years old," continued the blacksmith, "and for many a day after that sermon I was in deep trouble of soul. The Lord was coming, I thought, and I was not ready to see Him. My mother was a Christian, and prayed constantly for us all; and, though she said little to me, she noticed my changed ways.
"After several weeks, while I was working one evening with my head bent over the anvil, it seemed as if a voice was speaking to me. I went and opened the door to see, but no one was there. Soon after, it was time to go home, so I started off.
"Not far down the road I felt impelled to stop. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and I could show you the very spot now even after these twenty-two years, where I stood still on that road and said to myself: 'I won't go home tonight till I know my soul is saved.'
"Like lightning it came into my heart, 'Then you won't go home tonight at all.'
"This was the devil, I knew, and I answered to myself: 'Better not go home at all, than go to hell.'
"As I stood there, the Lord whispered to me, `Only believe,-just believe that Jesus was your substitute, and died for you on the tree.'
"And I told Him I did believe on Him. I wanted Him as my Savior and my Lord. Then I looked up.
The moon was shining gloriously bright in the sky, outlining the hedge by the roadside. Everything looked more beautiful to my eye than I had ever seen it look before, and I thought, The moon is the Lord's! The hedge is His; and, better still, I am. His.'
"How I got home I cannot tell. As I went through the town, I did not speak a word to anyone, for my heart was too full. When I came to our cottage, and opened the door, there were my father and mother sitting near the fire, one on the one side, the other on the other; but I could not say a word even to them! I betook myself straight upstairs to bed.
"Alone in my little room I knelt upon the floor, and praised the Lord in secret. While I was upon my knees I heard my mother's voice.
" 'Father,' said she, 'did you notice Joe tonight?'
"No,' answered my father. 'Does aught ail the boy?'
"'Didn't you notice him?' again asked my mother." 'If he had been ill, he would have told us,' father answered.
"No, it was not that,' my mother said, with her sweet loving voice. 'But I tell you I do believe that Joe has come to know the Lord, and that God has spoken to him!'
" 'And so He has, Mother,' I called from my knees. And she came upstairs, and put her arms around me, and we both wept for joy, as she said: 'My boy, the Lord has begun to answer my many prayers: He has now brought in one of my children. Joe, you are the first!' And she praised the Lord with tears.
"That's how I got ready for that next great event, friends; and I've been looking for Him ever since.”