A Personal Testimony 123 lived in the parish. Him I had hitherto avoided carefully, because I had heard that he had “been converted in a most remarkable manner after living a life of grievous folly and sin,” and that “he was always now trying to speak to people about their souls.” Some two or three days after my experience in Derby, 1 came to one of the so-called “stiles” in Derbyshire, which are simply like a narrow “V.” As I put my foot through it, my friend Stephens met me in the stile and suddenly said, “At last we are face to face. Now, why did you avoid me? 1 wish you would come and read the Bible with me. I want to know more of it, and I am sure you must, too.” Here was at least a third person who, in the course of one week, had been led of God to offer a special call to my soul! How could I resist the voice of grace, mercy and peace? Thank God, I did not! I went regularly and often, for the short time that remained, to read the Word of God and to pray with my young friend; and though I have never seen him or the stranger of Derby again, I feel it only a duty and a privilege to acknowledge (when asked to narrate my conver- sion) how much under God I owe to His two humble mes^ sengers. And was the life consistent and spiritual ever afterwards H I am asked. Alas, no ! There were many ups and downs, and many declensions from grace. So weak did the Lord see His servant to be, that in mercy and love He had to save me from temptation by allowing a terrible fall of some fifteen or sixteen feet to take place, when I was showing off as cham- pion gymnast soon after I went up to Cambridge. From that time I had to spend three years almost entirely on my couch, passing all my examinations (even that of my ordi- nation) in a recumbent position. From this I twice rose, as if determined to have my own way. One year I gained the University cup for high and broad jumping, and the next I secured the cup for diving and swimming; but on each
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker