DURING the spring of 1887, I was holding some gospel services at G—. One Sunday night the Spirit of God rendered the meeting particularly solemn. I was speaking from the all-important question, “What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:4242Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (Matthew 22:42)). I earnestly pressed on the hearers the solemn truth that eternity hung on that question, and that it was one that must be answered sooner or later by all men, for it is written, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” (Phil. 2:1010That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)). Amongst the audience might be noticed two men, strangers to each other, who evidently came in to laugh, but who, soon after the meeting began, became as if spellbound under the power of the word of God. Both went away rejoicing in the wondrous love of Jesus, who “receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” With reference to one of these men, I write these lines.
The Friday, following the Sunday we referred to, a military-looking man accosted me, saying, “May I shake hands with you; for, by God’s blessing, you have turned the lion into a lamb?” My heart was overflowing, and I could not help weeping for joy as he witnessed a good confession for Christ. Undoubtedly all believers are miracles of saving grace, but I think, when you read the following story, you will admit that he was a special instance of the love of God. After he had for nine months led a godly life, I asked him if he would tell me a little of his past history, to enable me to recount what might be a blessing to others.
He had been a soldier for many years, and late in life had married a Christian woman.
Two years after their marriage his wife fell ill, and for eight years suffered patiently; then she fell asleep in Christ, with her latest breath imploring her husband to be sure and meet her in heaven. At the time of her death he was in a good situation, and had a very comfortable home, and as he was in the habit of conducting family worship, and was fond of singing hymns, he always spoke of himself as a child of God, and indeed thought that he was saved. But when his wife, whom he had idolized, went to paradise, in his grief he gave up his profession of Christianity, and, apart from her godly influence, soon began to go astray. Being now invited to leave his situation to come to the Island of G—, he did so, and there, falling in with evil companions, he was soon, like the prodigal, left without a penny, and was consequently, friendless.
Everything was gone—his health impaired, and his state truly deplorable. For five days and nights he wandered about, without food or shelter; sleeping behind walls or under hedges, and actually eating any refuse he could pick up. This awful wretchedness, to one used to home comforts, and until latterly respectable and even refined, nearly drove him mad. Thus he communed with himself: “When I had plenty of money, I had plenty of friends; but now, even those whom I considered as my true friends have deserted me, and I feel everything on the earth is a vain show. Even the hope of meeting my darling wife in heaven is gone, for God could not have anything to do with a wretch like me. I will wait till it is dark, and then drown myself, and thus put an end to my misery.” At nightfall he went to the pierhead and was actually on the point of committing the fatal deed, when a policeman, who had been watching him for some time, arrested him, and placed him in confinement all night. The next morning he begged so hard that the constable allowed him to go away, and during that day a publican offered him a lodging and board if he would pay up on pension day; this offer he gladly accepted, and was accordingly installed in a public-house, where he already owed a few pounds for drink.
Whilst living here, remorse and shame at his present life began to fill his mind, and, with a desire to give it up and turn over a new leaf, he determined to call on a minister of religion and get his counsel and help. But, alas! he sent word that he had no time to see him then, and the poor fellow, with his new hopes of a fresh start nipped in the bud, by the very one whom he thought would encourage him in his good desires, felt that everything, even religion, was a sham. He now recklessly returned to his old ways, and plunged headforemost into sin again.
At about this time, one evening, the conversation in the taproom of the public house was about various preachers in the island. One asked the old soldier if he had ever heard the sergeant preaching; and, as the talk went on, two or three stated that whenever they did attend “a place of worship,” it was always to these soldiers’ meetings they went. As our poor friend listened, many a conversation he had had with his wife came back to his mind. She was a native of the Island of G—, and, having heard at a distance of the soldiers’ meetings, affirmed that, if God ever spared her to revisit the home of her childhood, she would attend them, and he recalled her making him promise he would himself attend the services. All this had entirely slipped his memory, but here, in this unexpected place and way in the public house, and among his boon companions, God began the work in his soul. He thought of his promise to his departed wife, and that he must fulfill it, and accordingly agreed with one of the men to go to the meeting the next Sunday.
Sunday arrived, and though somewhat under the influence of drink, and not seeking any good results from the preaching, yet, to fulfill the promise he had made to his wife, and partly also from curiosity, the old soldier repaired to the meeting house. Whilst going in, he said in a jocular manner to his companion, “go in now, and hear this blabbering preacher.” As he sat and listened God’s Holy Spirit strove mightily with him. Like many others, he had never before seen himself a sinner, and, at times, had even considered that he was as good as anyone; but here, suddenly, the awfulness of his sinfulness was pressed on his heart. The preacher explained that there are only two ways, the broad road, which leads to outer darkness, and the narrow, which leads to the eternal city. He then quoted these words of Jesus, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)), and earnestly invited the vilest sinner in that meeting to come there and then to Jesus, the Door, assuring his hearers that Christ would turn none away.
Whilst listening to these words the prodigal cast himself as a sinner on the mercy of God; he took God at His word, and came just as he was to Christ. On leaving the room, he confounded his companion by telling him that he had decided in the meeting for Christ. Yes, God blessed “the blabbering” of the preacher to the salvation of his soul. And now, one of that preacher’s closest friends, and most active helpers in the good work of God, is the man who first went to hear him scoffingly.
Truly, it is good to hear the old soldier sing his favorite hymn, the chorus of which is:
“Sing it o’er and o’er again,
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain,
Christ receiveth sinful men.”
Poor sinner, there is a day near at hand, when they that are ready shall go in to the marriage, and then the door will be shut. Oh! do make haste, and come to Him, who now in the day of grace, “receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” (Luke 15:22And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2)).
J. H.