The Personal TouchChapman, J. Wilbur (John Wilbur)
Religion
The Personal Touch
Chapman, J. Wilbur (John Wilbur)
Evangelistic work; Salvation -- Christianity
"As I read that story I said, 'If there is hope for the puncher, there
is hope for me.' I had been brought up a Christian, and during my
drinking days I had attended church, and I had fought as every poor
drunkard fights to redeem himself. But through my own strength I
failed, and I want to say to you here, there is no man who suffers
pangs of bitter conscience or from a broken heart more than a poor
drunkard who cannot tear the chains from himself. Have pity on him. And
I read about this man going out to save those who were lost, and then I
read on further about Danny, a drunkard, who while in prison was
visited by the puncher, who sought him out, and said, 'There is a
better life for you.' He took him to his home, and it was a new and
happy home he took him to, with a happy wife and children, and he
laboured with them. Danny the thief; Danny the drunkard; Danny the
murderer. When the day had passed Danny went back to prison. But the
power of God came over Danny in prison, and he said to himself, 'If God
can save the puncher, God can save me.' And then there came into his
heart a light; and I said, 'If God can save the puncher; if God can
save Danny--He can save me.' And He did save me, and He has kept me,
and from that day to this I have never desired a drop of alcohol.
"I have gone through physical sufferings that are attendant upon it,
but thanks be unto God through the Lord Jesus Christ, He gave me the
victory, and I stand here to-day an example of the keeping power of
God. Oh, my friends, what a new life it opened up for me. I thought I
was a Christian once; but until I was thrown down, until I was
crucified twice over, not until then could I be convinced that God
could save me from this terrible curse. And I want to say that no
Christian man ever came to me and told me that God could save me from
wrong. Oh, what a duty rests upon Christians to speak to the drinking
men! When God took me by the hand I had a new life and I wanted to go
out and save drunkards, and I have been trying to save them since. I
went to the Salvation Army Barracks in Jersey City, and if it was not
for the Salvation Army, I do not know whether I could have held out or
not, but when I felt distressed those brothers prayed and stood round
me, and if there is anyone here who is discouraged, and who is away
from God, and who goes round the corner to see his little children
going to school because he cannot go home, if there is anyone who has
left a broken-hearted mother or wife at home; get up and go home to
them and give your heart to the Lord."
The last story told at the meeting has to do with the complete
transformation of a woman's life. It is a modern miracle. The one who
tells the story is growing old and feeble, but all are thrilled as they
listen to her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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