The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1894-09-24
CONVERSION oFABLAsPHENER.
Remarkable Instance Related by the Rev.
Mr.. Hines. OF Richmond.

Remarkable Instance Related by the Rev.
Mr.. Hines. OF Richmond.
story almost as remarkable as that Of
Paul's conversion on his way to Damascus
was told by the preacher at the Metropolitan
Baptist Church yesterday morning. Meetings
have been held at this church during the past
week under the direction OF the pastor. Rev.
Green Clay Smith, assisted by Rev. Mr.. Hines.
late of the westview Church, at Richmond,
Va. Mr.. Hines preached at the morning ser
vice.
He said in the opening of his discourse: II
am going TO ask question that cannot
answer; that think none OF you can answer,
that the devil, wise and cunning as he is, can
not answer, the angels about Gods throne
cannot. even more, Christ cannot, and may
go further still and say God himself never has.
II is the first part OF the third verse in the
second chapter of Hebrews: How can We
escape If we neglect so great salvation?
With this as a text Mr.. Hines urged the neces-
sity of accepting the Christian offer of grace
at once. Some. he said, would have US
believe that God will not punish sin; as for
himself he believed in punishment for sin as
inevitable except through the mediation OF
Christ.
1--WE are punished even on this earth" he
exclaimed "A notable instance Of this came
under my own personal observation when as
sisting at series of meetings near Hampton,
Va, several years ago
1--WE had gone home to the minister's for
the afternoon, when a message came that the
pastor was wanted at once NJ nelGhboring
farmhouse. where the son of one of the men,
bers of his church was dying. l went with
him. We found lying on mattress, that mad
been hurriedly brought out upon the portico,
a robust Young man apparently dead. What
10 he vnuttarcr 1ru asked y don't know
replied the distressed father My son went
out to the lot to look after the horses, and
became very angry about something. He be-
gan eursing the horses, and when l went out
and demonstrated with him he began to curse
me- l reminded him that God heard him
and might punish summarily for such wicked
ness. With that he turned his face 10 heaven
and began to curse God and defy Him. and
called on Him to strike, If He dare. At that
in a moment he fell down writhing in agony
and has not spoken word since. We want
you to pray for him.
"A physician had been summoned from
twelve miles away and came at evening. He
was one of the best in the State. Be- the time
of his arrival the young man had revived q
little. The physician made an examination
and then looking at me said: This is the
most singular case in all my experience.
have never read of anything like il in the
books He turned to the patient and said: L
can give you no hell p. This is a punishment
sent on you from God and you must look TO
Him. The young man motioned for a slate
and pencil and wrote: Yes; it is punish
ment from God for my great sin. II He spares
my life I will give it all to him. Three
months passed and he was restored to his
speech, and when was in that community
| again q year ago there was no more ex-
emplary and useful Christian anywhere
than that man had become"
| At the conclusion of the sermon one Of the
| congregation was admitted into the church.
The series of meetings will continue through
out the coming week. The services begin at
| 7;s0 .. m.