A VERY interesting incident occurred in the early ministerial life of Mr. Spurgeon, and which he verified to the person who made it public. Thirty years ago or more, he was invited to preach in the vast Crystal Palace at Sydenham. Would his voice fill the immense area? Resolving to test it, he went in the morning to the Palace, and thinking for a passage of Scripture to repeat, this, as he reached the stage, came to mind: “It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Pronouncing the words, he felt sure that he would be heard, and then repeated the verse in a softer tone. More than a quarter of a century later Mr. Spurgeon’s brother, who is also a pastor, was called to the bedside of a man, an artisan, who was near his end.
“Are you ready?” asked the pastor.
“O, yes!” answered the dying man, with assurance.
“Can you tell me how you obtained the salvation of your soul?”
“It is very simple,” said the artisan, his face radiant with joy. “I am a plumber by trade. Some years ago I was working under the dome of the Crystal Palace, and thought myself entirely alone. I was without God and without hope.
“All at once I heard a voice coming from Heaven which said “It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” By the meaning of these words I was convinced of sin; Jesus Christ appeared to me as my Saviour. I accepted Him in my heart as such at the same moment, and I have served Him ever since.”
God honors his Word. Suppose Mr. Spurgeon had used a secular sentence to try his voice? What surprises await the faithful when results are known.—The Watchword.
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