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In an
interior town in |
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Nevertheless,
a certain colporteur, well aware of the reputation of the place, determined
to gain an entrance for the Word of God. He was warned against any such
foolhardy attempt; but, determined to trust and obey God, he dropped off a
train that passes not far from the town, and quietly entered and began to
canvass the city with his books. There was a ready sale for the Scriptures,
though the buyers looked fearful and did not linger in conversation. Others
refused the books and threatened to inform the priest. Someone did. There was
a heretic in the town daring to sell his false and corrupt Bibles!
Immediately the priest got busy. He had the church bells rung; the crowds
gathered; and from the church steps he exhorted them to drive this emissary
of the devil out of town. |
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The poor
colporteur soon heard what was afoot, and wisely deciding that discretion was
the better part of valour, he took to his heels and fled. But where to go?
That was the problem. There was no hope of getting another train that day and
the mob would soon overtake him – they were already streaming out of the town
in pursuit, for the priest had got into touch with his crony the brigand, and
set him on the track of the fugitive. “Let me get my hands on him,” shouted
the ruffian, “and I’ll soon make short work of him.” |
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By this
time the colporteur had reached the railway line, and realizing that it was
useless to run further, he sat down on the embankment, and poured out his
heart to God in prayer, committing his cause to Him Who, he believed, had sent
him to that town. The crowd poured down on to the line, headed by the burly
brigand. “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “I came to preach the Gospel
and sell the Word of God to the people.” “Preach!” retorted the other; “can you preach?” “Well, I try to tell the
Good News,” the young man fearlessly answered. “All right! We’ll hear you
preach”: and he led the colporteur up the hill to his own house, the crowd
streaming after them. |
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He took
the now trembling young colporteur into a big bare room, and shouted to as
many as could crowd in to enter, till the room was full. “Now, here you have
a congregation: let’s hear you preach.” |
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Lifting
his heart to God in a moment’s silent prayer for help, the young man began to
tell in simple language the story of the Gospel. He told it briefly, and when
he had finished he said: “That is my message: that is the story of what God
has done for men, for you and for me.” |
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There was
still a crowd outside for whom there had been no room in the house, so the
brigand hurried the first lot out, and shouted to more to come in and hear
the heretic preach. Again the room was filled; and again the young colporteur
told the story of God’s love to a now quieted and listening crowd. Yet again
the bandit turned them out, and for a third time the room was filled with the
remainder of the crowd, to whom a tired young preacher delivered his message.
When he had at last finished, the big brigand led him outside and with his
hand on his shoulder he cried to the waiting crowd: “This young man is now my
friend. If one of you dares to lay a hand on him, he will have to deal with
me!” |
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“You’re
tired,” he said as he led the colporteur back into the house: “You’ll sleep
here, but first you must have something to eat.” And leaving him he went off
to prepare food for them both, and it was a wonderfully subdued brigand who
served the weary young man with a good meal and afterwards showed him a room
where he could sleep. |
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It was
with a thankful heart – a heart full of gratitude and praise to God Who had
so wonderfully delivered him – that the young man fell on his knees and
poured out his thanksgivings, then continued in prayer that the witness he
had been allowed to give might bear fruit. Especially did he pray for his
brigand host. |
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While yet
on his knees he heard a timid knock on the door, and opening it found his
host. “Excuse me, but I heard you talking to someone, but you seem to be
alone. To whom were you talking?” “Oh,” said the young man, “I was thanking
my Father in Heaven for all His kindness to me, and praying for my enemies as
Christ told me to; and I was praying for you.” “Praying for me! Can I come
and join you and hear you pray?” – and the two, brigand and colporteur, knelt
together while the latter again poured out his heart for his companion, and
asked God to cleanse him from his sins. Then he said, “Won’t you pray for
yourself?” “Me? I don’t know how to pray.” “Well, God is here; just tell Him
you are sorry for your sins and want to be forgiven and saved from them…” And
after a long pause and many fumbling attempts, at last that hardened sinner
broke down and confessed his black past, crying to God for mercy and
forgiveness. He rose from his knees a new creature in Christ Jesus. |
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That is some
time ago now; and to-day there is a growing evangelical church in that town,
and the onetime brigand is a shining light in the surrounding darkness. The
evil priest, his complicity in crime having been brought to light, was
removed from his post, and the long reign of terror ended. |
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From:
Anon. True Stories Re-told. |