Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-07-09
&eadinq fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV, ROBIEIsT LATHAN N.
CONVERSION OF AN INFIDEL.

CONVERSION OF AN INFIDEL.
About three years ago the writer had charge
Of church in the city Of Richmond, Virgin
ia. Not far from the church lived gentle
man who by economy and industry, had be.
come the owner of neat cottage, in which
his wife and two interesting children lived
very comfortably.
BY the influence of Paine's Age of Reason
and the counsel of wicked associates, he be-
came confirmed skcptic. For years he was
not seen in place of worship. To him the
Sabbath was no more than any other day, and
the Bible no more than any other history.
One morning, in passing along the street
on which he lived, Il friend accostcd me and
mentioned that he was in q very low state OF
hcalth suffering acutely from dropsy, without
any prospect of recovery, and asked me to
call and see him.
The aversion Of this poor man to religion
was so great that no minister had been near
him, and scarcely had his most intimate
friend dared to breach the subject to him.
His devoted wife, God-fearing woman,
though she saw that her husband was rapidly
sinking to the grave, feared to speak to him
about his soul. Knowing all this, I hesitated
for awhile as to paying him visit, but con-
science urged me to 60.
On entering his room found him sitting
by the fire breathing very hard and in much
pain. When he got little easier, I said
kindly to him that my visit was prompted
purely by the interest | felt in his welfare.
I remarked that came as a stranger without
his requesting it, but hoped he would con-
slider me true friend, and begged him to re-
member that we could not change our rela-
ton to any great truth by refusing seriously
to consider it. He assented. Ny visit was
short. When leaving this sad and weary
invalid, again assured him Of the deep in
terest felt in his welfare, especially the wei
fare of his soul. reminded him that had
known prayer to be Of much service to thous-
ands, that had realized its benefits myself,
that I never knew any one to regret having
prayed, but many to deplore their neglect to
do so, and added, 81 beg you, my friend,
look to God in prayer" When leaving, he
said, rather coldly, Call again"
After short interval [ did so. During
this visit talked to him more frcel y on the
subject of religion. | discussed no abstract
doctrines with him, but lis tenderly and at:
fectionately as l could, pointed him to Jesus
as the sinners Friend and Saviour warned
him against any book or person that would
speak lightly of Jesus, adding, "He who would
disparage Christ in your estimation is your
worst enemy" I said this because his infdel
friends were visiting him and trying as hard
to bolster him up in his infdelity, as was to
save him from it.
This visit was far more satisfactory than
the former; my sick friend was more reccp-
tive Of the truth, which seemed now gradually
fastening itself on his mind. As I was about
to leave he asked me to pray for him. This
request astonished his wife no less than N.Y.
self. I had actually been afraid to ask his
permission to do what he himself now request.
ed Of me. The prayer ended, | left him with
a tear-dimmed eye, and his wife with lighter
heart, promising to come again.
The day after my second visit, while seated
by the fire, he said to his wife: on, where
are my infdel books?" She told him. &C.,"
said he, "bring them to me-" She put them
in his hands, and he deliberately threw them
in the fire, saying as he did it, "There [ am
done with all this nonsense now."
Learning that he had done this, and that
he refused to hear any more foolish talk from
his in6del companions, 1 felt that my sick
friend was 'not far from the kingdom Of
God"
So it proved. lie now became humble as
a little child, and an eager learner of the way
of salvation. Light beamed on his mind, and
his heart was melted into tenderness before
God.
y few days after the burning of his books
he obtained peace with God through faith i'll
Jesus, and at his request l baptized him and
administered to him the communion. He
lived several months after his conversion, and
finally met death calmly trusting in Jesus.
Let US learn from this history to try and do
good even in the face Of the greatest discour-
agemcnts "a word spoken in due season.
how good is IT, ~ p IN Am. Messenger