at
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." Then followed a simple address, enlarging upon the text, and an
exhortation to accept God's offer of salvation. "The Lord Jesus Christ
Himself said: 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest,'" continued the speaker, "and in His name I beg
each one of you to become reconciled to God. He is waiting: He is
willing to receive each one of you."

These were his closing words, and Coomber, who had listened with eager,
rapt attention, stayed only for the people to move towards the door, and
then followed the speaker into the little vestry. "Beg pardon, sir," he
said, pausing at the door, "but 'tain't often as I gets the chance of
hearing such words as I've heard from you to-night, and so I hopes
you'll forgive me if I asks for a bit more. I'm a bad man. I begins to
see it all now; but--but----"

"My friend, if you feel that you are a sinner, then you are just one of
those whom the Lord Jesus died to redeem. He came to seek and to save
those who are lost--to redeem them from sin. He gave His life--dying
upon the cross, a shameful, painful death--not, mark me, that they may
continue in sin. To say we believe in God, and to live in sin, makes our
belief of no effect. We must learn of Christ, or He will have died in
vain for us. We must learn of Him, and He will help us to overcome our
love of drink, our selfishness, and sullenness, and ill-temper;" for the
gentleman knew something of Coomber, and so particularised the sins he
knew to be his easily besetting ones.

"And you think He'd help me? You see, sir, He's done a deal for me
lately, bad as I am," said Coomber, twisting his hat in his hand.

"Help you! ah, that He will. If He gave His only Son, what do you think
He will withhold? 'What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread,
will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask Him.'"

"And what are the good things that I'm to ask for," said Coomber. "I
know what the asking means; this little 'un here has taught me that
praying is asking God; and though I ain't never done it afore, I'll
begin now."

"Do, my man. Ask that the Holy Spirit may be given you, to lead you, and
teach you, and guide you into all truth. Without His