The Personal TouchChapman, J. Wilbur (John Wilbur)
Religion
The Personal Touch
Chapman, J. Wilbur (John Wilbur)
Evangelistic work; Salvation -- Christianity
"About two months ago I had occasion to go to the Police Court to ask
his assistance on behalf of a woman who wanted an ejectment notice
against another woman who was living in the same house. When he heard
the name of the woman who wished to obtain the notice he refused to
have anything to do with the matter. She had been a bad character. He
said, 'I tell you candidly, she ought to be drowned for her cruelty to
her children.' I said, 'You knew her once, but you do not know her now.
How long is it since you saw her?' 'About nine weeks' he replied.
'Well,' I said, 'nine weeks ago she and her husband both came to Christ
in our mission hall. For the first time in thirteen years they entered
a place of worship. She had a black eye that covered over half her
face, but both her husband and she are now Christians, and are
faithfully following Christ to-day. And yet you call her a lost soul.'
He said, 'Certainly I do. If there is a lost soul she is one.' 'Then
Sir,' I said, striking him on the shoulder, 'Jesus came to seek and to
save that which was lost. Jesus has saved that woman. When she comes on
Monday night, Inspector, just look at her and see what Christ has
wrought. I ask you to grant her request.' He shook himself free. 'Wait
a moment, Inspector,' I said, 'I have never given up praying for you.
You have risen to the position of Chief Inspector, but I want you not
to forget Christ.'
"On the Thursday of the following week he came to my home. When I saw
him there I was glad, for he had kept away from me for a long time. I
said, 'I am glad to see you in my home.' He said, 'You will be more glad
when you know why I have come. In my room the other night I knelt down
and gave myself to Jesus Christ, and asked the Lord to save me.' I would
ask those of you who are working for souls not to get disheartened and
discouraged. When the mission ceases do not give up taking a personal
interest in those for whom you are concerned.
"Some months ago I was sitting in the Assize Court in your city. I sat
next to our Chief Inspector. The case that was being tried was one of
attempted murder. As I sat there following the case this Chief
Inspector turned to me and said, 'Why didn't they know Him on the road
to Emmaus?' I said, 'I suppose because their eyes were holden.' He
said, 'How did they know Him when they got to the home?' I said,
'Probably in the breaking of the bread.' 'Don't you think,' said he,
'that in the breaking of the bread they saw for the first time the
marks of the wounds in His hands and knew Him by them?' What a
difference Christ had made in the life of that Chief Inspector."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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