WILLIAM H. lived forty-five years following the evil devices of his own heart; his evenings were spent in public houses, his wife trembled when she heard his footsteps, and his children would shut themselves in another room for fear of him.
One day he came home in a great rage, declaring he would fight a fellow-laborer. However, he had first to finish his work, and as he went to the stack to cut hay for the cattle, his foot slipped from the ladder, and his leg was broken by the fall. He was at once carried home, and when his wife, who had entreated him as he left the house not to give way to his passion, saw her husband brought home helpless, thinking that he had been wounded in a fray, was so affected that she was seized with a sudden illness, and thus William was deprived of her kind nursing in his sufferings.
How wonderful and gracious are God’s ways! William H. had not lain many days upon his bed before he began to feel that he deserved all he was suffering. His sins rose up before him, and he sought for salvation. He did not know that Christ had finished the work of salvation, and that the sinner is to believe and be saved; but he asked his little girl to find him a book to read which might help him, and the child brought him “Pilgrim’s Progress.” As he read it, he said, “The man with the burden on his back is just my case―I am laden with sin and misery.” He now began to cry to God for pardon for all his past life, and became calm and patient, to the astonishment of his wife and children.
After some twelve months of suffering he was able to walk on crutches, and in course of time became strong again. When he recovered the use of his limbs, such was his anxiety to hear the word of God preached that he constantly walked fourteen miles to hear a godly minister, and much to his wife’s annoyance, who said he must be mad to wear out his boots on such an errand. But William, whose soul could not be satisfied with the heartless religion around him, told her he must go where Jesus Christ and Him crucified was preached, quietly adding, “I wish you would go too.”
It was one Sunday, as these words “He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name.” (Psa. 111:9,9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111:9)) were read, that the Lord Jesus revealed Himself to William H. His burden of sin fell off. His joy was full. He exclaimed, “This is enough for me, a poor, hell-deserving sinner.” As he walked home with his little girl he said, “I do wish, my child, you could enter into what I can tonight.”
After this William H. lived nearly thirty years to show to the world how the grace of God changes a sinner. He had a faithful word for all that asked him of the hope he confessed. His usual word to mockers was, “I would sooner be shot through than turn from the faith God has given me;” adding, “you must be born again of the Spirit; you must come as a lost sinner to the blood of Jesus.”
In his old age he had but three shillings a week to live on. When this scanty allowance was brought to him he would raise his eyes heavenward, saying, “Bless His holy Name.” His wife still murmured at him, but he would answer, as he hobbled to hear the word of God, “I must go, for Christ is my all in all.”
For the last six years of his life William was bedridden. As he lay helpless, his sons mocked him; but he ever had a sweet smile in reply to their jeers, with “Poor things, you must be born again of the Spirit; you must be stripped naked before God, May God have mercy on your souls;” and his calm, peaceful, heavenly face often brought them to silence.
In speaking of Christ he would take the bible, and putting his finger upon some verse would say, “Read for yourself: it is God’s word, not mine.” To the doubting believer his usual word was, “‘There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus; no, and no separation. He will raise them all up at the last day. Not one will be missing when He comes. God’s word will stand forever and ever. He has marked all His people. Bless His holy Name.”
The night William H. was taken home he called the daughter who as a child had so often walked with him to hear the gospel, and said, “I can read my title clear to mansions in the skies; but do not cry. Put your trust in the blessed Lord. There is none else in whom you can trust.” Then, for some six hours, he remained in peaceful communion with His Redeemer, and lovely it was to hear him telling the Lord Jesus he was quite ready, and waiting to come, but willing, by suffering or what else the Lord might send him, to fulfill all His will in his body, which once he used in the service of Satan. His last words were, “Blessed, precious Jesus, do come.”
Thus, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: thus was William born again.
“Ye must be born again.” “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Read John 3. Our nature is contrary to God. By nature we love that which God hates; and if we are to dwell with God we must have the new nature which is theirs who believe on the Son. T.