Riches of grace : $b A compilation of experiences in the Christian life; a narration of trials and victories along the wayByrum, E. E. (Enoch Edwin)
Religion
Riches of grace : $b A compilation of experiences in the Christian life; a narration of trials and victories along the way
Byrum, E. E. (Enoch Edwin)
Christian life
Some years ago I discerned the oneness of God's people and became
fully convinced that the Word of God should be our guide in all things
pertaining to our spiritual welfare; that none of it should be omitted
or cast aside. Since that time the light has been constantly increasing,
and each succeeding year becomes more blessed in his service. I am
learning more and more, as Paul expresses it, that "in whatsoever state
I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11). With the past all under the
blood, I have no gloomy forebodings concerning the future; "for I know
whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that
which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12).
The Testimony of a Prisoner
EXPERIENCE NUMBER 3
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked"
(Jer. 17:9). The truthfulness of this scripture has been verified in my
life. For more than twenty years I lived a most shameful life to satisfy
the desires of my wicked heart. I have learned that the more a person
yields to the sinful desires of the heart, the more wicked he becomes.
Many times during my early school days I yielded to the tempter and
played truant and ofttimes concluded that it was too hot to study and
yielded to the suggestion to go for a swim in the pond, regardless of
consequences. After playing truant the first time, I found a repetition
of the act much easier, until finally my parents became disgusted with
me and sent me away to work, and I have worked ever since that time.
While in the coal-mines, I received many hard knocks and bumps, and my
education neglected; whereas, had I not yielded to my wilfulness and
the deceitful desires of my heart in the beginning, I might have had a
splendid education and today be the possessor of a responsible position.
On my fifteenth birthday I took my first drink, yielding to the
temptation of taking my dinner-pail and getting ten cents' worth of beer
to drink beneath a shady tree. Oh, that God would have taken me before
it ever touched my lips! I am unable to relate all my experiences since
I took my first drink, but would say that I have suffered beyond measure
and have paid a great price for my folly. It has robbed me of my
character, reputation, friends, a beloved wife, and four beautiful
children--three boys and a girl--whom I loved more than my own life.
After drink had robbed me of all that was dear to my heart, then the
suggestion came for still further destruction by committing suicide. The
evil one suggested that as there was nothing left worthy a continuation
of my life, it were better to end it all and find sweet rest in the
grave. I was cast into prison, and the way before me truly seemed dark.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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