The Power of God's Word.

“I DON’T believe in your religion a bit, for I am an infidel. My father was an infidel before me, and he died one; and I intend to do the same.” The speaker was a shoemaker, and as he concluded the above remark, he fixed the shoe once more firmly between his knees and again hammered away. This was my first visit. There were two of them: the other had once professed to know the truth; and it was on his account rather that I paid many subsequent visits. I felt that in his case there was hope, and prospect of some fruit; for he listened to what I had to say, and well received the books and tracts which I left from time to time. Of the professed infidel I had but small hope; yet at the same time knowing that all things are possible with God. Mark 10:2727And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:27).
Passing strange are the ways of God. His thoughts are not as our thoughts. The very one of whom I had but little, if any, hope, was the one whom He proposed to bless; whilst the poor backslider — as I found the other to be — manifested not the least change the whole time I remained in the neighborhood. In order to be brief, I will pass over the many visits I paid, and the conversation, held in that shop during the ensuing three months; simply telling the reader an interesting event which occurred one summer’s evening at the close of that period. I was a short distance from the shop, when who should accost me but the infidel shoemaker, who with much earnestness asked me if I would take him to some retired spot and pray with him. Joyfully did I respond to his request. Having the key of the Mission room in my pocket, thither we at once wended our steps, and carefully securing the door behind us for fear of interruption, we knelt together at the throne of grace: which indeed proved a throne of grace: for within an hour we left the room, the man no longer an infidel, but rejoicing in the forgiveness of sins: being justified freely by God’s grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:2424Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24).
In this brief narrative the power and goodness of God shines forth, in His thus blessing such a one; even making him His child, by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26). We also hereby see the simplicity of “the way of salvation.” He entered that room with me, full of fear, his soul bowed beneath the sense of his sinful condition, trembling for the consequences, but ere he arose from his knees he was enabled to rest confidently upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw that Christ had wrought a work for him which God had accepted; and in token of that acceptance had raised the Sin-bearer from the grave. He was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25).