Having heard that the Spirit of God was manifestly working in the fishing village of—, I went to visit some of the families, with two servants of God, who for years have labored there, to bring souls to Christ, and whose prayers are now being largely answered. We went from cottage to cottage, and found in each, two or three who had lately tasted the joys of salvation. As one heard the “Abba Father” clearly uttered by those babes in Christ, the mind could not but rise to that scene, where there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one shiner that repenteth.
The scriptures apparently most used of the Holy Ghost to give peace to souls were, “He that believeth hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life.” “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” “The blood of Jesus Christ Ids Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
One true evidence that they were really begotten of God by the word of truth was their anxiety for the salvation of others. Wives would prevent their husbands and sons from going to sea, in the hope that while the Holy Ghost was actively “convincing of sin and judgment to come” those dear to them might be brought to see their real condition before God, and be saved by looking to Jesus.
They appeared to have strong faith in the power of prayer, and, like Lydia of old, in the prayer meeting as the place to get the blessing. Even those who were bold enough to withstand the work themselves, feared to prevent their families going. A remarkable instance of this came under my notice: after visiting for more than an hour, we were leaving the square, when I observed a middle aged fisherman sitting mending his nets. He looked very unhappy, so I approached him by saying “The Lord is making many souls in your village very happy, have you shared the common joy?” He answered me rudely, “I never saw such a time, I’ll be bound for it, hypocrites are numerous in this square, they are better servants of the devil than I am, I am not going to join them I assure you, you will see what fine fellows these hymn singers will yet turn out.” In vain I tried to show him that God was beseeching him to receive Christ—he turned away, impatiently saying he had his work to do. I left him with the remark, “I will pray for you, and I believe God will save your soul.”
I visited the village, a fortnight later, and on entering one cottage, the sister in the Lord who was with me said, “This was a well-known bad character, he went by the name of S—. He scoffed at the work of God and said the converted men were the devil’s best servants.” I looked at the middle aged fisherman and he at me. I recognized the features of the unhappy looking seaman who a fortnight before said he would not join the hypocrites. Now the expression of misery had given place to the brightness befitting the countenance of one who could sing of Ins Father’s love. I asked him if he remembered my words on parting with him, and his answer was “ “Well indeed, madam, and the prayer has been answered. What joy I now have in Him who died for me!”
I asked him to give me the history of his conversion, which was as follows.
“The very day you spoke to me in the square, my wife said I am going to that prayer meeting tonight. Mother is all changed and so is sister, and I would like to see what they do at that meeting.’ I felt much annoyed, but only said,’ Well wife, if you go you are a great fool, but go if you will, they will not get me to go.’ She tried to persuade me to go with her, but I would not listen. I got very angry, and yet I felt afraid to say to her ‘you must not go.’ I was very sullen, and spoke little all that afternoon.
“When my wife had gone to the meeting I became most miserable. I could not stay in the house, so wandered out and got to the back side of the meeting house. I tried to hear what was going on. I felt afraid my wife would get changed and somehow thought she would. I stood awhile and began to think ‘well, there is reality to those people.’ I could not stand longer, so again wandered home most unhappy. I went to bed. My wife returned about ten o’clock, but I took no notice of her. She came to the side of the bed, and said ‘Oh! are you sleeping, Sandy? I must tell you I am saved,’ and she fell on her knees and praised God for saving her—she prayed for me! My whole soul was stirred, but pride and the devil would not let me own I was miserable. At last I said, with the perspiration bursting all over me, “What do you feel, Jean?” Feel! It’s no feeling, Sandy, that saves a woman! it’s just believing. I believe that God speaks the truth when He says that Christ died for my sins. The Bible says if I believe this, He will give me eternal life—now I do believe it and I will never come under the sinner’s judgment, for another verse says, “There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ.” Oh, believe that, Sanely, and you will be saved and we will both then be so happy.’
“How the devil did try to keep my mouth shut and prevent my owning that the Spirit of God was convincing me that I needed a Savior! At last I said, ‘Now, wife, pray that I may be saved.’ She prayed, and such a power of the Spirit came over me that I thought I saw the Savior on the cross. I cried out, ‘Oh Jean, I see my Savior and His wounds bleed for my sins.’ She cried, ‘Hold to that, Sandy,’ and we prayed together that all my unbelief might be taken away. She thanked God that I was saved, then I did it too, and we slept none that night for the joy of thinking that we would never come into judgment, but that we as brands had been plucked from the burning.”
My heart rejoiced to hear this simple clear confession of passing from death unto life: but I longed to know if he understood what power was engaged to keep him steadfast till he reached the glory, so I said, “Well, Sandy, and how are you going on? is your faith still bright, and are you getting to know Him better who has saved you?” His answer was very nice and simple: “I am just always looking away from my poor, weak, worthless self, right up to Christ, for He has said ‘I will never leave you.’”
I spoke to him of his body being the temple of the Holy Ghost, what holiness of life this demanded, and pressed upon him, that he had no strength of his own. He said “I am just looking to the Lord Jesus for strength to enable me to do everything to Him, and to keep me from doing anything unworthy of the One who gave His life for such a poor wicked sinner as I was.”
The day after his conversion he went to the prayer meeting and there made full confession of what God had done for his soul. He took his place amongst the ranks of the saved.
The Lord continues to bless and save souls in this village. The prayer meeting is crowded, and it is very interesting to hear the fishermen beseeching God, that His saving grace might extend to the town of A—.
One cannot but hope, that those who are thus delivered from the grasp of Satan, may not stop with mere deliverance from hell, but unreservedly yield themselves to the teaching of the Holy Ghost, who will guide the simple into all truth and make them devoted to Christ, and be His witnesses in the scene of His rejection, walking with garments unspotted by this present evil world.