The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-02-04
A REMARKAB1E CONVERSION.
How one-Tllne Inhdel Became a Min
!stur of the GOSPEL


Rev. Robert McTntira, d. d., whose
conversion Is so graphically narrated
below, was, at the time of his conver-
sion, n noted lnfldel and president of
several "inddel clubs in the city Of St
Louis, Mo-, but he has sor the past 10
years filed, as pastor. some of the
finest pulpits IN Methodlsm, and IS at
this time pastor OF that Sacred palace"
Trinity M. e. church, Denver, Col. DR..
McIntlre is said to be one Of the most
polished and eloquent preachers OF the
United States, The follwing sketch is
frcm the Rocky Mountain Advocate Of
recent date:
ION Monday evening the Rev. DIR.
Bushong. pastor of one of the Methodist
Episcopal churches Of the city of ST.
Louis, preached. For the first time in
my life heard a man preaching to me-
and In ten minutes | was trembling
from head to coot Know the Holy
pirit had hold of me. l was introduced
to the preacher, and l said would like
to have talk with him for his sermon
had greatly moved ne. He .old me
where he lived and asked me to call
the next day. went and we talked to-
gether for two hours / advanoed-my
lnfidel arguments and he sought TO re-
ply, but / thought had got the better
Of him, and when rose TO go told him
| was worse than when came. He said:
DO you mean to tell me l have failed
to do you good?' and said That is ex-
actly what you have done. sir He said.
DO you know - that | expected TO
failT Then he said, But have a
friend who never fails In these matters.
did not then understand Gospel
phraseoogy and so innocently asked
Where Is he? He said. Right here,
and then said, Let us kneel down right
here and pray and before really knew
what was doing was on my knees
In moment saw had lost the bat
tie. When he talked to me l could an
swer him. but when he prayed could
not say word; and oh. how he prayed.
IT reminded me of my brothers prayer
for me years before. But would not
yield, On leaving him said Il wish
you would preach at the church tomor-
row night He said. win IL you VIII
be there. and promised TO go.
"Every word he said in that second
sermon seemed like n barhed arrow In
my heart. After the sermon the usual
invitation was given for seekers while
a hymn was sung. clutched the bench
In front Of me to keep myself from
shaking. could scarcely breathe.
said 10 myself II ever get into the
street again win forever keep away
from this church. My friend Grant was
behind me and touching me on the
shoulder SRid. Go to the ,ltaT.' hut
the devil was rampant Ia me and my
teeth were set. and would not move.
The preacher said. Sing another verse; !;
there are some here in the valley OF de-
cision. Though trembling like an aspen
leaf. refused to move He then lifted
up his hands and said, we have done
all we can, and began q pronounce the
benediction.
Something within me said. III thai
bsnedlctlon Is pronounced and you go
out unsaved It Is the day Of Judgment
Tor you. While the benediction was ON
his HIPS I jumped ont into the aisle and
ran rs II the devil was after me, and
fell at the altar for had not strength
enough to kneel. For few minutes ]
ala not know anything When came 70
,rvscsf they we're sinsing Jesus loves
YOU Just now ana Il seemed to me that