THE KING’S BUSINESS
272
At the previous mid-week prayer meeting, he related the story of the Prodigal Son and applied it, point by point, to himself. The part which seemed to impress him most, was the father’s reception of the son when he returned. His coming out to meet him, and putting on him the ring, and the best robe, and killing the fatted calf. He realized that this was what his heavenly Father was waiting to do for him, and, figuratively, has. since done for him. The young man who was so deeply moved, because of having broken his vow, thanked God in a recent meet ing for the mercy He was showing him. His only child had been very ill, and he prayed that his life might be spared, but in his prayer he said, “Lord, he is yours, and you love him even more than we do, so if you want to take him, I will not, object.” But the Lord was pleased to restore the little one, and for this the father’s heart was full of praise. Not long since in giving a testimony he said, “I used to be one of the strongest men in this vicinity, but I then cared noth ing for the things of God. Now I have little physical strength, but I have something better. I have God’s strength.” He is one of our best personal workers. One Sunday when unable to walk out to the villages, he moved slowly down to the big path below his hut, and had much blessing in preaching the Gospel to those who passed by. Bigotry is a cross stripped of every thing but the nails. An oath is a prayer offered to Satan. “Fight to the finish.”—General Booth. “I desire to burn out in the service of God.”—Henry Martyn. “Let a thousand fall before Africa be given up.”—Velville Cox.
“I cannot understand my own heart; my temptations are many and God only can help me. Pray for me that I may return tonight; I do not want to wait until tomorrow.” By the time I had finished reading the note the last person was passing out of the door and I asked him to call the writer back. He came and we spent almost an hour together. It was a fierce conflict. The principalities and powers were arrayed against us, and were determined not to surrender this soul without a contest. He is our best teacher and the foreman in the printing office. Being a leader he is, therefore, not only useful to God, but also to Satan. I reasoned with him, then prayed for him. He followed in audible prayer for himself so earn estly that I was encouraged to pray for him again. Up to this time we had been sitting on seats with our heads bowed, as the chapel has a dirt floor and was very dusty, but at this point he knelt down and I wish you could have heard the prayer he offered. He confessed his sins with out reserve, and asked the Lord to give him courage and strength to break away from them all. Then he began to praise the Lord for deliver ance. “The pleasures of sin,” he said, “are as nothing in comparison with the joy of thy salvation.” The powers of darkness were repulsed and the whole atmosphere was cleared. When we arose his countenance was radiant with the joy of the Lord. After we separated and were on the way to our respective homes, I could hear him whistling the tune, “I can hear my Saviour calling,” with the chorus, “where He leads me I will follow.” Such experiences are sufficient reward for months of service. His knowledge of Scripture would make you marvel. In prayer he quoted text after text that met his need as precisely as any that I could have found for him.
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