IN London some years ago a respectable-looking man introduced himself to two Christian men who were engaged in the work of distributing the Holy Scriptures free or otherwise.
"Gentlemen," said the stranger, "here is a gift for your excellent work. I thank God for what you are doing. Listen for a moment to my story, and you will see that I have reason enough to thank God for the Bible.
"Not long ago, I belonged to a company of pickpockets. About a year since, two of my companions and myself were passing by a hall that was full of people. It was a conference of your group. Seeing so many there, we thought it would be a good chance for us to get some money, by carrying on our wicked business. The hall was so crowded that we were obliged to separate from each other. I got into the middle aisle, just in front of the speakers. The Ten Commandments in large gilt letters were on the wall behind the pulpit. The first words that caught my eye were: 'Thou shalt not steal.'
"In a moment my attention was arrested. I felt as if God were speaking to me. My conscience troubled me, and my tears began to flow. My companions made signs to me to begin our work; but I took no notice of them. As soon as the meeting was over, I hurried away to a distant part of the city where no one knew me. I got a Bible, and for the first time in my life I began to read it. It showed me what a great Saviour Jesus is. I prayed to Jesus with all my heart. He heard my prayer. And now my sins are pardoned, and my soul is saved in Him. Now I am on the point of starting for America. May God bless you."
Messages of the Love of God 11/30/1958