The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-05-25
Rel iGIOyS 7RU7HSI
From the Writings of Great
Preachers.
Story Of Jim Owen,

III Iue ITeGuC Afeuue DdpIlSI SuulCu.
"Ill tell you of the most marvellous
conversion I ever saw I have told
you it was my JOY every summer to
preach in the cattle camps in West
Texas. One year when I went some
of the men came to me and said,
There is one man here on whom you
need not waste your time, and that is
eX-Sheriff Jim Owen. He'll come
once, then he'll curse you all over the
mountains; he always does They
described him to me so that I could
not miss him. One evening I went to
preach, and as I stood before that
great congregation in came Jim
Owen. T preached and the Spirit of
God moved nightly over that great
audience and many sinners came, but
there Jim sat with a most intent gaze
upon his face, but apparently un-
moved.
After the service we stood around
talking, and some said Jim Owen
was here tonight, but he'll never
come again. He'll curse you out; he
always does when any preacher
comes. He'll come once and then
curse you and the church OUT but
some of the others said, No, I believe
he will be back; he had a peculiar ex-
preston on his face that he never
had before; he'll come again.
II started for my lodging place,
some rods from the camp, away from
the noise, over a mountainous region,
when I heard someone talking, but as
I drew nearer I realized there were
two of them, and that they were pray
ing. 1 did not NEAR to eavesdrop,
but I was held to the spot.
They prayed something like this:
oh, God, Thou hast promised that if
two of us shall agree on earth as
touching anything that we shall ask,
that. Thou wilt give it us. We are
praying tonight for Jim Owen. They
say he can't be saved, but oh, God,
Thou canst save the vilest sinner,
save him and let the people know
that nothing is too hard for God;
save Jim Owen, that Thou highest
close the mouth Of the people and
get glory to Thyself.' That's the way
to pray, that's the way to pray.
II slipped away-they never knew
I heard their prayer-but I did not
sleep. The next evening, when 1
stood up to preach, in came Jim
Owen. All the sermon that I had
prepared fed, and I said, Well sing
q stanza, and then I'll ask this
brother in front to lead in prayer,
asking that God will give me the right
message. His Spirit knows the needs
of these hearts
II preached that night from the
parable of the Prodigal Son, telling it
as simply as to a little child. I said:
Here was a man we'll reared, but he
abused it; good environment, but he
trampled it under foot and went away
despite the protests of his father and
friends and wasted his substance; but
when he had spent all he came to
himself. Oh, that men would come
to themselves! He said, II will arise
and go unto my father, and shall say
unto him, father, I have sinned
against Heaven and in thy sight and
am no more worthy to be called thy
son; make me as mi of thy hired
servants" -....
"'He not only made the good reso-
luton, but he kept it. He arose and
came. Now I see that old father at
the gate; he's watching. "Oh, how
I wish my boy would come home; how
often have I longed for him! Who is
this coming? 1t walks like my boy,
but so many have passed that I
thought walked like him, but as he
draws nearer, he looks more like
him." and when he was yet a great
way off the watching father recog-
nized him and ran and fell upon his
neck and kissed him.
If there is a man in this audience
that Is in this poor prodigal's condi-
ton, I've a friend for him. If there
is such a man and he wants to come
back, let him come down the aisle
and take my hand and Jim Owen
sprang to his feet and came, Keeling
like a drunken man because Of the
intensity of his emotions. Everyone
was on is feet in a moment.
Tim took my hand and said, Mr..
Truett, do you NEAR to tell me that
if I surrender myself to Jesus He'll
save me?' That's exactly what I
mean
But he said, I'm the worst man
this side of He'll, a He save me?'
He died to save the vilest sinner this
side of He'll and He'll save you if
you will surrender to Him.
That's right, Jim, the preachers
right said the men.
If I surrender now to Him, when
will He save me?' He will save you
now. Mr.. Owen, right now That's
right said the men, that's right,
jim
Then he said, Lord Jesus, the
worst man out of He'll surrenders to
You just now Everyone was crying,
the men and women kissed him, and
there was great joy, for the chief Of
sinners had been saved. God loosed
his tongue and he turned to those,
men and gave the most marvellous
testimony I ever heard.
For years there had been e great
feud between him and another man,
and the next day he went to his
enemy and said, Friend, you're not
afraid of me and I'm not afraid Of
you, and I've come to ask your for
~giveness for all the wrongs I have
done you. I'm a new man now
Thus the breach was healed, and they
came together singing the praises Of
God.
Friend, Jesus Of Nazareth is
mighty to e."-Brooklyn Eagle.
A Secret Will. God,
No attempt is ever made in the
Snrintura to ~reconrjla tha t,vo aoan-