How John Became a Man
As the news of John's wonderful conversion and of his work among the
people spread throughout the country, it reached the ears of Farmer Z,
in whose home John for the first time had attended family worship. The
kind-hearted man had never forgotten the boy who had endeavored to make
his escape to the barn rather than to come into the sitting-room at the
worship hour, and he felt a desire to have a good heart-to-heart visit
with John and to know just how he came to find the Lord. John was,
therefore, very much surprised one day to hear that this good gentleman,
of whom he had in the past been so fearful, was desiring to see him. But
he was glad; for he, too, had felt a great desire to talk with Farmer Z,
the one who was first to open his heart to a ray of heavenly sunshine.
"I have been hearing wonderful stories about you of late, my boy," the
farmer said as John approached him; and as he took the young man's hand,
his hearty handshake sent the blood tingling through John's veins.
"Come," the farmer continued, "sit down and tell me what it was that
brought about the change. My boy, I understand that you are already
getting to be quite a preacher. Is it true?"
"Well, Mr. Z," John modestly replied, "I hardly know what answer to
make, except that it was the work of my Savior. I am like the poor
beggar who was blind--'one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now
I see.' The same Jesus that healed the blind man has opened my spiritual
eyes, making me to see and understand what never before seemed
possible."
Then as John related some of his Christian experiences, the farmer was
made to wonder at the loving-kindness and the great mercy of his God.
"John," he said, as he looked into the beaming eyes of the young man and
noted the boyish face but manly form (for there was scarcely a trace
of the early dissipation left), "I see that you have found the genuine
article. God has worked a miracle in your life, and I guess he wants you
to go and tell the world about it. How is it, my boy? Do you feel like
preaching the gospel?"
And then it was that John, in his simple, earnest manner, for which he
was so loved and admired, said:
"Mr. Z, I feel as though some power within me is leading me about; and
I long to tell everyone I meet of the Jesus, who so loved the lost world
that He laid down His life upon the cross. It seems I can think of
little else."
"That's it! That's it!" Farmer Z exclaimed; "God has put His Holy Spirit
in your heart and has called you into His harvest-field to go forth and
help spread the gospel. Go, my boy; and may God speed your footsteps in
ways crowned with blessings of success. I rejoice with you in your
calling and shall pray for you. When trials come your way--and they
will--remember that there is always a light in God's window for the
faithful, a light that will guide them safely home at last. Remember
also that He has said, 'Be thou faithful unto death.'"
When the farmer bade John adieu, the sun had disappeared beyond the
horizon and the crimson shades were gathering in the western sky. The
landscape that stretched before him was beautiful. And while John was
not unconscious of these beautiful surroundings, by his inner vision,
which could not be limited by the vast prairie country with its varied
possibilities, he looked upon another scene far beyond--he saw the
heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, once beheld by the sainted John;
and he wondered what could be more grand and majestic.
John had at last developed into a noble-hearted Christian, whose
greatest desire in life was to please his God, and to spend his time
wholly in God's service; and one day a few years later he stood on the
deck of a large Atlantic steamer and waved farewell to his friends on
the shore. He was bound for a far-distant land; God was sending him
as a missionary to carry the gospel to the people of another country.
His large brown eyes, sorrowful no longer, were dimmed by tears of
farewell; but the tears only made them shine the brighter. They
witnessed to the gladness of his heart; and to the eagerness within
his bosom pushing him forward.
John had at last become a man after God's own heart.