The Man with the Book; or, The Bible Among the People.Weylland, John Matthias
History
The Man with the Book; or, The Bible Among the People.
Weylland, John Matthias
City missions; London City Mission
"And yet such is the fact, established by the verities of the Truth
Himself, who has said, 'Your heavenly Father will give His Holy Spirit
to them that ask Him.'" And then pressing the arm of the gentleman, the
speaker continued, "It is thus: just as matter can influence matter, so
can spirit influence spirit. Your body feels the grasp of my hand, and
it is as possible for your soul to be touched by the Holy Spirit of God
and to be made conscious of that blessed influence."
The conversation was continued, and deepened in interest until the
omnibus came to the end of its journey in the suburb. The passengers
alighted, and then the gentleman in a most graceful way said, "You have,
sir, reproved me wisely, and made the truth, which for years has
disturbed me, so plain, that duty to myself requires me to ask your
friendship, certainly for the favour of another long conversation."
"I am much occupied," was the reply, "but will gladly spare an hour or
so to-morrow evening, should you be disengaged."
"Then I will give you my card, and will remain at home to receive you. I
have only to ask you as a point of honour not to mention my foolish
remark."
The promise was given, and the gentleman handed his card to the
religious teacher, who was startled at the rank of the man to whom he
had spoken so faithfully; but addressing him by his title, he
endeavoured to fix the Scripture in his mind: "If any man be in Christ
he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things
have become new."
Upon the next evening the promised visit was paid, and the stranger was
introduced by his new friend to the family circle. For a time his lady
was reserved (as well she might be), but after an hour's converse about
"things spiritual," she became genial and kind. Before he left, the
servants were called in, and the Missionary read and gave a short
exposition of the chapter commencing with the words: "And you hath He
quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins;" after which he engaged
in extempore prayer.
This was the first of many pleasant visits, and the commencement of a
friendship with the family which had its proof of blessing,--certainly
with its head, who received the doctrine of regeneration in its fulness.
When a believer is impressed with the duty of witnessing for God,
opportunities for doing so are sure to occur, and if he keeps simply to
the Bible, good will of necessity result. He may speak with conscious
feebleness, but his infirmity has nothing to do with the matter. The
secret of success in Christian work is humility before God and meekness
of wisdom before men, united with firm faith in the truth and power of
the Divine Word. That Word can be spoken by, but can gain no improvement
or strength from man. All experience gives proof of this, and we add two
narratives, in confirmation of others, which show that the lodgment of
passages from the Holy Scriptures is sufficient to accomplish the
purposes of grace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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