One bitterly cold January evening I observed a man standing in a corner of the street, sheltering himself from the biting wind and sleet. I knew him by sight to be a respectable seller of small wares. I had passed on, but seemed impelled to turn back and speak to him, begging him to come that night to our little mission room. I cannot say that the invitation was graciously accepted! However, at last he consented to come, with the observation that it would be better than standing out in the wet.
In the little hall that night a young man addressed the audience. He said that he had come into this very same room about two months before, a scoffer and quite regardless of eternity. God had spoken to his soul on that occasion, and had showed him his need of a Savior. He added, “I am now rejoicing in Him.” Then with the love of Christ flooding his soul and filling him with peace and joy unspeakable, he told the audience of God’s wondrous love to perishing men.
The power of the Spirit of God was manifested as he spoke. Prayers were answered as many were convicted of sin. Men were weighed down under the sense of their need, and of their lost state before God. Amongst the latter was the man who had chosen to enter the room merely in preference to standing out in the cold.
He had spent the greater part of his life in the navy and had seen much active service.
He had faced many dangers and death itself in some of its most terrible forms. Lately he had been discharged, disabled by the loss of an arm; yet, through all his marvelous deliverances and hairbreadth escapes, he had never once thought of the goodness or the love of God.
On hearing the young man speak of his own salvation, the old sailor’s heart was touched, melted by the sense of the mercy and long-suffering of the Lord to him. He had come to the meeting full of rebellious thoughts, angry with his lot, and feeling that God had dealt badly with him. Now the amazing love of God to him filled his heart. He blessed God for preserving him through so many dangers, and for leading him at length to think of His only begotten Son whom He had sent to die to save sinners.
He saw at once his great need. He took his place as a sinner, guilty before God, and he was received by the sinner’s Savior, who says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”