HENRI ROCHAT was born in Switzerland, in one of the valleys of the Jura, where the leading occupations are cattle-raising and watch-making. His parents were orderly people, and laborious, but careless toward God, and unconcerned about the salvation of their souls. In spite of the awakenings in their valley, and the conversions of some of their relatives and friends, they had remained closed against all spiritual influence. If the father spoke of the Bible it was to question its being THE WORD OF GOD.
He sent his children to church; but it was, he said, to avoid being called a heathen.
Otherwise religion was all foolishness to him, and a loss of time. Yet it is out of the deep darkness of that poor family that "THE GOD OF ALL GRACE" came to take one of its members to be His witness here, and an heir of glory hereafter.
But we will now let him speak for himself.
“Having been, according to my parents' desire, taught the Protestant religion, I was received into a church in 1844. But, following my father's example, I was more a reasoner than a believer, and quite ready to deny all revealed truth. Two years after being confirmed, I denied the Bible to be THE WORD OF GOD, and rejected its contents, save the historic part, which I believed true, but only as history.
“At that time I was to learn a certain branch of watch-making. But in all our valley none could teach that but a Mr. H. B— He was a man much esteemed by all, had lived three years in Geneva, and was accounted one of the most skillful watchmakers in the country. Only he was a Momier,' as were called there such as were true and devoted Christians. They said he knew the Bible better than any of the ministers. To my father this was very objectionable, but I quieted him by saying there was no danger for me, as I did not believe the Bible.
“So I was sent to Mr. B.— I found him a man of ripe years, free from the shyness so common to villagers in those parts.
He was serious, full of knowledge on many subjects, and ready to impart it. Many seemed to fear him; but his manner drew me to him, and I felt at home with him at once.
His house was conducted in a Christian way, and his conversation was always to a good purpose. There, for the first time in my life, I saw what is a true Christian and a true Christianity.
“I went with him to the meetings he attended. There, sometimes he, sometimes others, all of them simple people, expounded passages, or even whole chapters of the Bible.
They sang beautiful hymns, and they neither read nor recited prayers, but poured them out in simple language, and from the abundance of their hearts. Sometimes what they called “laborers" visited them, and I noticed in them a superior ability in preaching or teaching the Scriptures. If I remarked on their abilities to my master, he quietly answered that I was the more responsible for the privilege of hearing them.
“One of their company once said to me, ' I saw you so attentive last Sunday that one would think you were a believer enjoying THE WORD OF GOD.'
“' I wish I were,' I replied; ' happy people who are able to rely upon the Bible as THE WORD OF GOD!’
“Whenever I returned home, the neighbours warned me lest I should become a ' Momier.'
“’It would already be done,' I would reply, ' if I could only believe that God has revealed Himself to men by means of a book.'
“In 1852, having decided to emigrate to the United States, I bade good-bye to my parents and to my faithful and good master. The voyage was fearful, a storm raging for several days; yet there was much wickedness on board our great ship. Temptations therefore were many for me, but the thought that only a plank lay between me and death kept me from doing evil.
“Two years later, in 1854, I was established as a watchmaker in H., New York State. I paid for a pew in the Presbyterian Church, but only to show I was neither Jew nor heathen, and to help in the progress of good.
“One rainy morning the pastor and a missionary called on me. We soon took up the subject of religion, and I freely expressed to them my unbelief in the Bible. He answered me by pointing to my fine regulator, and saying it was a fine piece of workmanship, and must have required a skillful workman.
“' You want me to understand,' I replied, ' that there must be a God to create such a thing as the universe. I know that as well as you; but here is what I cannot understand, that God should have had a book written to speak to men, which many of them cannot read, and yet no salvation for them except through faith in what it teaches.'
“’They had the testimony of creation,' replied the missionary; then added: ' you are a Swiss, I see, and a Rationalist also; I am very sorry.' And they left, grieved at my skepticism. Perhaps they prayed for me afterward.
“The afternoon of the same day I saw a shocking tragedy in the street, and I returned to my store shaken to the depth of my soul, On the way I had asked myself, ' Were it you, so suddenly ushered into eternity, where would now be your soul? For there it would be TOO LATE to be reconciled.'
“From that moment I longed to be reconciled with God. My conscience was awakened. I saw my many sins, and felt their painful weight. What oppressed me most was my guilty unbelief. What testimonies of the grace of God despised! How many invitations to come to HIM I had refused! Yes, I felt I had mocked what God had done for me, despised ever so many proofs of His goodness, and how could there be forgiveness for me?
“That day in my store I fell upon my knees to implore the mercy of that God I had so deeply offended. Then I sought my Bible, which, since my leaving Switzerland, had remained at the bottom of my trunk; and I began to read the Gospels with the thought of making acquaintance with God.
“From that moment all my reasonings fell to the ground, and every doubt concerning that precious WORD OF GOD vanished. I argued no more whether it was really His Word. Reasonings, doubts, arguments, all disappeared as a morning mist before the sun.
Yes, the Bible WAS NOW THE WORD OF GOD to me, as I read it with the sincere desire to know HIM and the provision He has made for a sinner's salvation.
“Some passages gave me comfort; others condemned me. Nights were painful, with little sleep, and the days seemed endless. In that state of soul I called on the pastor, and told him my condition; but he himself did not believe in anyone possessing here the assurance of his salvation.
“I told him I knew people in Switzerland who possessed it. He replied that they were self-deceived. I then took my hat, and left; nor did I ever again set foot in his church, for I saw HE WAS IGNORANT of what my soul needed, and therefore incapable of helping me.
“There was another Christian community in the town, whose minister, at my request, called on me twice; but he only talked about ' sanctification,' whilst I needed PARDON. He, too, was powerless to help me; so I requested him not to call again.
“I thus continued for a time all alone.
More than once I longed for my former spiritual sleep, for the quiet it afforded me; but this was now impossible. Then came the longing: ' Oh, if only I could have a talk with those Christians in Switzerland!’ and the desire became so great that I could no longer resist it. To find peace with God was now the chief need of my whole being. I found a friend to take charge of my business, and left for Europe in July, 1854.
“The friends at B—were delighted to see me, especially as they saw the change which had taken place in me towards GOD and His WORD. I remained a month with them, and attended all their meetings. What a happy time! My need was FULLY MET. I heard much of CHRIST, His death, His resurrection, His exaltation in glory, and His expected return. The utter ruin of man I already knew in myself as true, and now I learned the perfect efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for man in that condition.
“In my intercourse with these Christians I found their peace of conscience and heart was not based on experiences, hut upon what CHRIST HAD DONE FOR THEM ON THE CROSS, was doing now up there in the glory, and would do at His return. Through faith in THIS they enjoyed entire rest, and the perfect assurance of their salvation.
“I asked one of them if he had not been troubled with doubts in his beginnings as a Christian.
“' Yes,' he replied, ' I have been just like you; but ever since GOD TAUGHT me by His WORD that HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, had been delivered for MY offenses and raised again for my justification (Rom. 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)), ROM 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25) and that in proof of the perfection of His sacrifice, by which we are saved, He has been crowned with glory and honor in heaven; yes, ever since that time I have had PEACE with GOD.'
“Thus Goo settled my own soul in peace, I had now found ' the Rock of Ages,' the One that had been smitten for my sins, and that could not be shaken. In HIM I could and did now rest, and I rejoice in God my Saviour.
“With my bliss I returned to my business in the States; and through the dark clouds and the many difficulties which have swept over my head since, toward God the sky has ever been bright. Days of sorrow have not been wanting in my life, but that deep peace that GOD gave me then has never been clouded. In the unchangeable JESUS I got and have rest, and Satan's attacks have been in vain. To ' the God of all grace ' be the 'honor and the glory for this great and eternal salvation." H. R.
Jesus is "THE ROCK," and “His work is perfect." He receives returning, sinful prodigals. He cleanses and justifies them by His blood, sends His Spirit into their hearts, and assures them they "shall NOT come into condemnation," but that they HAVE PASSED from death unto life. (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).) JOH 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)