I WAS traveling between Paris and Bourdeaux, and had just left Angouleme, when a smart and showy young man stepped into the coupe of the diligence where I was, and seated himself between me and another traveler. He saluted me with politeness; and, after the first customary words, said to me,
"Sir, I think you are from Paris?”
"I left it yesterday," I replied.
"And I am sure," he continued, “you must have seen the Huguenots (a piece of music).
What a wonderful production it is! So original! Every one is flying to it! Were you not enchanted?
“The Huguenots?" replied. I, putting my hand into the pocket of the coach, where I had put the New Testament which I read on my journey, "I have here what the Huguenots held as their greatest treasure.”
The young man exclaimed, with surprise, "The treasure of the Huguenots! What may that be, I pray?”
I presented the book to him; he read its title, and returned it to me immediately, saying with contempt, "Oh, as for that hook, it is good for nobody, I think, but old women and people of weak minds.”
“I know, sir," replied I, with feeling, "that it is excellent for me, who certainly am not an old woman. As to my mind, I shall say nothing; you can judge of that.”
The young man blushed, and said, with some confusion, "A thousand pardons, sir, if I have offended you by my foolish expression; but allow me to speak quite freely, and to tell you that I cannot comprehend how a man of sense and intelligence, such as (with respect) I acknowledge you to be, can approve of, and above all, believe in such a production.”
I confess I was tempted to oppose weapon to weapon, but the words of the Holy Book came to my mind, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (2 Cor. 10:44(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2 Corinthians 10:4)). Leaving, therefore, in its scabbard of clay the feeble sword of my reason, I seized that of the Spirit, the Word of God, and world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them "(2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)).
“Yes, yes," replied the young man;" that is what your book says: but where is its authority? That is the question.”
“If any man will do the will of God," I continued, “he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether Christ speaks of Himself "(John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17)).
“That is to say," answered the young man, “every man of sense and judgment in society is a villain, or infidel, or rather atheist, because he cannot subscribe to the mysteries, not to say the absurdities, of a book scarcely known to any but the lowest people.”
“The faith of the Christian," replied I, “stands not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God, who hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and as to the unbeliever, God says that he is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God; and the gospel adds, that such a man shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (1 Car. 1:27; 2:5; John 3:18, 3618He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
“Very well, sir," replied the young man, with bitterness,” my portion, according to your opinion, is quite settled; and," added he, with a sneer,” it is hell, with its eternal flames, is it not, that awaits me? and along with me all the flower of the human kind. I thank you for your charity.”
“It is not I, sir," I replied, with calmness, it is God Himself who says that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven given among men, by which they can be saved; and it is Jesus also that says to you, as to every sinner, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12); John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). You hear this; you hear those words of love and of kindness.”
The young man said nothing, but frowned.
His countenance was sad, and he remained for a long time silent. Night came on; he still remained silent; and I supposed that his discontent would last till he had fallen asleep; when, turning suddenly towards me, he said, with deep feeling, “Where could I procure a copy of the book you have been reading? for, yes, I ought to read it; I begin to believe that possibly I may be wrong, and you right. I regret, also, sir, the very inconsiderate language that....”
“Oh, sir," said I, interrupting him," I beg you will make no apology; and since you already feel that the Word of God is superior to that of the philosophers (of Voltaire, for instance) let us have some talk, if you please, about that Word, which you will allow me to present to you as soon as we arrive at Bourdeaux”
From that happy moment our conversation was easy; and it was not till after we had discussed all the vital doctrines of Christianity that we resigned ourselves to sleep.
The next day my young companion was serene, cordial, and perfectly frank; and before we parted, he took me by the hand, saying, " You remember, I hope, the promise you were so kind as to make to me: here is the name of my hotel.”
I sent him the Bible immediately, and let him know, also, that that day and the following I was to expound some portions of Scripture at religious meetings, where he would be most welcome.
The invitation was not in vain. That same evening the young Voltairian, with his Bible in his hand, took his place among some pious people who came to hear the gospel.
The following day he returned at the same hour; and, after the service, he came to me, and said, with emotion. “Sir, from this time, this book shall be my guide, my study, my only study.”
“And to-morrow,” said I to him," what are you to do? it is the king's fete, and there will be a grand ball and much gaiety; of course you will be invited?”
“I have already refused the invitation,” said the young disciple, with firmness.” shall not appear there. In the morning I shall go and hear you, since you are to preach; in the evening I shall return here, if it please God, and hear you again.”
He did indeed come; and, for the first time, this most accomplished young man, who heretofore had made the theater or the ball his chief pleasure, found his greatest enjoyment in serving God.
That evening I took leave of this young friend of the truth. He testified anew his gratitude to me, and his desire that my wishes concerning him might be fulfilled. He declared, before many witnesses, that he believed the Bible to be the Word of God, that he adored the Saviour, and that he wished to live and die a Christian.
Do not expect God to lead you to Christ by any new revelation, such as you may have pictured to yourself beforehand. Whenever you believe in Christ, it will be the same Christ of whom you have heard and read so much; the same Christ who is now waiting with open arms to receive you. Ungodly, and without strength, we were, but “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). Dare you not believe this? Can you be worse than ungodly, or in a more hopeless state than without strength? CHRIST DIED FOR SUCH.
Oh, that you may he enabled from your heart to say, “Yes, for me! He loved me, and gave Himself for me!" "I am ungodly, and He died for me! I am without strength, and He died for me!" You will never have a better title than this for depending upon Christ.