An earnest preacher of the Gospel was speaking to a small congregation from the text,
“Is it well with thee?” solemnly and faithfully pressing home upon his hearers the necessity of being converted to God, and thus having it “well” with their souls for time and eternity. In the congregation was a boy named Tom, belonging to one of the oldest and best-known families of the town, a bright, intelligent boy, given to reading and study. Only six months before that Sunday, Tom had seen the waxen features of his dear mother lying in her coffin, and a few days later had followed her to the grave. As the preacher went on to speak of the great eternity beyond the present world, and the necessity of being “ready” to enter it, the Spirit of God convicted Tom of sin, and gave him to see his condition as a sinner before God. Suddenly a cry was heard from one of the seats, and a young boy was seen with his head buried in his hands sobbing bitterly. It was Tom. When the preacher saw it, he understood what it meant, for he had been accustomed to preach the Word, and to see its effects in the conviction and conversion of souls. Quietly he closed the Bible and said,
“Let us pray,” offering earnest prayer to God that the “sin-sick youth might be led to the Saviour—the sin-burdened one brought in view of the Cross,” where the believing-sinner loses his burden, and passes from death to life. That Sunday Tom confessed Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord, living many years an earnest preacher of Christ. Have you?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1-:15.
ML 05/28/1944