Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-21
A Sudden Conversion.

About fifteen months ago met one OF my
workmen in the country, few miles from
home. He was man about fifty years OF
age, generally kind and indulgent to his
family in the use of the unusually large
wages that he earned by his trade, but often
profane in his language, and subject to fits
of violent passion. In one of these he had,
a few weeks before, driven his family from
the house, and ht aten his youngest son, till
his Christian wife, in fear for the boys life,
had to interpose, and resolutely say that he
must strike her before he should again as
sault the boy He was peculiarly interest
ing, open.hearted man. but had so long
withstood the claims of Christ in the midst
of religious community, that there seemed
little hope of his conversion. Addressing
him, said, "John, have been watching for
your soul for two years, and now | want you
to become Christian to-day"
We sat down, and | again told him. as |
had several times done year before, the
story of the cross, solemnly pressing the
gospel OF salvation home upon his heart.
He listened respectfully, saying but little
but when we were about to part, and asked
him if he would not kueel while | asked
Gods blessing upon him, he replied with
characteristic frankness Well, am much
obliged for your kind interest in me; but to
be honest with you, | am really not now in
terested. have sometimes felt these things
deeply at meetings, but have no interest in
the subject now; feel nothing"
He however consented to kneel, and, a
friend Joining us. we bowed before God.
The PRAYER ascended, that as Jesus, in the
days of his hesh had looked upon the faith
of those who broke through all obstacles to
place their beloved sick before him, and had
said, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee p so
now, he would look upon the poor sin-sick
soul whom we brought to his feet, and in
mercy make him whole. 1t was bold re-
quest, but God honors our petitions when
we ask great things. Almost immediately
the man broke down, weeping and pleading
for mercy. His wife, who, seeing my con-
versation with her husband, had followed us
as we turned aside for prayer, now stood be-
hind us. Soon after our prayer had been
answered in his conversion, she received, as
he rose from his knees, her now Christian
husband, with a Joy better conceived OF than
described. As he left, he exclaimed, al
am new creature in Christ Jesusl' | sup
pose that hardly ten minutes had elapsed
between the time of his expression of entire
want of interest and feeling, and his con-
fession of Christ as his Saviour. learned
afterward, that besides his wife's prayers
during probably thirty years for his conver.
sion, some of his fellow-workmen had Sc
lected him as apparently the most unlikely
to become a Christian among several hundred
who worked together. | also found that the
wife of fellow.workman, mother in Israel
had been awakcnd about twelve O'Clock the
night before, and had found herself so pray
ing in the Spirit for this man, that she could
not go to sleep again. About fourteen
months under my own almost hourly obser
vation of faithful walk, "adorning the doc
trine of God our Saviour in all things" have
demonstrated were such demonstration
needed--that the whole glorious chain Of
events--the wife's long-coutinued prayers
the selection of this man by his comrades
for special prayer, the midnight intercession'
of the aged saint the word of testimony
and the laying him at the feet of Jesus to be
healed-all these events were but links il
the chain of Gods marvellous purposes o
grace to the profane sinner.-1he Morning.