Who at R. does not know the blacksmith, Mr. Jacob, who employed from eight to ten machinists, also a few boys, apprentices at anvil and lathe? As good work was done there, he was always busy—much to do from morning to night.
Mr. Jacob was called by some people “a crank” and they thought him rather quaint, but he really was the very opposite—a happy man who delighted to sing from day to day about his loving Saviour, whom he knew, as “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Every day it was his custom to sing a few hymns while in the workshop. When the work would permit, he would stand in the very midst, rehearse a verse aloud, and then a number of men would also help him to sing after he had begun, the others would at least listen to it.
A new apprentice, whose name was Henry, found employment in this workshop. He was brought up in good Christian surroundings, and since the time he had gone to school was often taken to meetings where children of God gathered. This had not been without lasting impressions, but we will listen to Henry, for he will tell his own story.
“I rejoiced to find in my boss, in whose workshop I entered as apprentice, a faithful Christian. At that time I was not certain of salvation as to my soul, but I desired such certainty most earnestly for I wanted to be saved. Quite naturally therefore, I kept very close to my boss; would accompany him whenever he would go to those gatherings of believers, where they read and meditated on the Word of God. Such meetings were about once every week; but at the home of my boss, after breakfast, he would always have reading of the Word of God and prayer, with meditation.
Under such conditions I finished my time as apprentice. I became a mechanic, but peace with God I had not found as yet, though conscious of being a poor lost sinner. Heaven was not for me; all others might go there, but not I. Yet at the same time, in the workshop, my fellow mechanics placed me on the same footing with the boss, and often I was the very center of their scorn and scoffings. Only a few were friendly.
Albert R. was one of the scorners—a very easily provoked man, who, if irritated, would act like an insane man. Everyone was therefore afraid of him. One time all fled from their work, for he behaved like a mad bull, the white foam coming from his mouth. He was a very good mechanic, and only for this reason did the boss bear with him in patience, for he deserved to be sent away time and again. Underneath it all the Lord was working in grace with this very man, although he would not have owned it at that time. One morning R. came to the house of the boss with this question: “Is it true, that a man may know during his life here on earth that he will have a place in heaven by and by?”
“Yes,” answered Mr. Jacob.
“Do you know for a certainty as to yourself that you will have a place in heaven?” he continued to inquire.
“Yes, most certainly,” was the happy reply. “God himself tells me so in His Word; and you, Albert, may know the same if you will have it. All who come to the Saviour as repentant sinners shall receive the certainty of forgiveness of sins, as well as the positive assurance that heaven is their home forever.”
“Then I will ask Henry,” and with this he entered the shop, and asked, “Henry, tell me, do you know that you will go to heaven?” This question came so unexpectedly, I was confounded, not knowing what to say. If I said “Yes” I would be a liar; if I said “No,” then a discredit was cast upon Christianity in the eyes of Albert R. This I realized, but I did not dare to lie. “No,” I said to him, after hesitating, “I do not know.” What I feared was the result. R. cried out, “Then the boss is a liar, and all Christians are hypocrites! If you are not certain of a place in heaven, then the boss cannot be either.” From this moment he would hear no more of “conversion” or the needfulness of being “born again,” but continued his terrible course—a man away from God in his sins, now more wicked and sinful than before.
This short conversation had its effect upon me. I was as if dashed to pieces. I had given that poor lost sinner, seeking the way to be saved, such an answer which pressed hard upon my soul. In quiet moments I sought to be alone, and then upon my knees I cried to the Lord, telling out my distressing condition, what poverty, a lost sinner before God, on the broad road going down, down to hell. For days I cried to Him. Praise His Name! He heard my cry. By faith I realized that my sins were borne at the cross, and removed by Him, who filled the center cross at Golgotha.
A tract which came into my hands, became a blessing to me. The same began with the words, “You would like to be saved? Why are you not saved already?” I continued to read. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” “He that heareth My words, and believeth on Him that sent Me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment), but is passed from death unto life.” “The blood of Jesus Christ (God’s Son) cleanseth us from all sin.” “To him give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” (John 3:36; 5:24; 1 John 1:7; Acts 10:43) Now I could sing songs of praise unto my Saviour, who died for me, and through His death, He has wrought eternal redemption.
This occurred about two weeks after the above related short conversation with Albert R.
As I was now certain of my salvation, I hastened to him to tell him that I was saved, and also knew with certainty that I would be in heaven by and by. But he laughingly replied, “You say so now, only to please the boss.” Soon after this we were parted. Albert R. left the town and sought work elsewhere, and I also found better work at E.
My dear reader, surely you Must join with me in saying, “How boundless is the goodness of God; how great and rich His love!” Yes, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20. What will it be when all the blood bought and redeemed sinners, saved by grace, shall be gathered around their beloved Lord and Saviour unitedly praising Him.
On the Lamb our souls are resting,
What His Love no tongue can say;
All our sins, so great, so many,
In His blood are washed away.
“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.” Revelation 1:5, 6.