Several years ago, I heard Mr. Nathan, at that time a missionary in Morocco, preach a sermon in St. Louis on “The Hidden Minister.”
In illustrating his subject he told of a young Swede who was converted in one of Mr. Moody’s meetings in Chicago.
After his conversion the Swede came to Mr. Moody, wanting to know what he could do for Jesus. Mr. Moody looked at the young man, for he was awkward and illiterate: finally, Mr. Moody said: “How would you like to be a sandwich?”
“Anything, anything for Jesus,” said the young man, not knowing what it meant. It was arranged that he should report the next morning for duty.
The young man came at the appointed hour, and they placed two boards strapped together, on his shoulders. On one board was printed 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) in full; on the other was printed a notice of the meeting then being held.
“Now,” said Mr. Moody, “you must walk up and down these streets for Jesus, and advertise the meeting,” and the Swede went off smiling, happy that he could do something for the One who saved him.
As he was walking down Clark Street—the boys throwing stones and mud at the board—a traveling man saw him, and stopped to read the signs, and watch the happy Swede. The result was the traveling man attended the meeting that night, and was converted.
This traveling man had a splendid voice, and after his conversion he made it a rule to sing in the missions of the cities which he visited. One night he was in the Bowery Mission in New York singing the gospel. Presently, he saw a young Jew come in and take a seat in the audience. Attracted by the singing he entered the hall, not knowing the character of the meeting. When he heard them singing about Jesus, the Jew became restless, for he had been taught to hate that name. The traveling man was watching him, and when finally the Jew started for the door, he was there to meet him. He led him into an adjoining room, and spoke to him personally about Jesus as his Messiah and Savior: the result was that the Jew accepted Christ and found salvation.
In closing, Mr. Nathan said:
“The young Swede lies in an unknown grave in Chicago; the traveling man, too, has gone to his reward; but I am that Jew, and am now a missionary in Africa, winning souls for Jesus. When we all stand before Him to receive our rewards according. to our service, shall I receive all the reward for the souls won in Africa? How about the traveling man who led me to accept Christ? How about the Swede who did what he could for Jesus? Will he not receive his full reward because of his faithfulness?”