During my stay in Copenhagen it was my privilege to become acquainted
with an educated young man, a doctor of philosophy, who had been
influenced by higher critics, such as have doubted the miraculous
accounts given in the Holy Scriptures. When I was introduced to him, I
noticed that he thought it would not be very difficult for him to weaken
my faith and confidence in regard to religious matters. He immediately
expressed his desire to have some private talks on religious questions,
to which I gladly consented, but greatly feeling my need of special
wisdom and grace from God. We would often sit up until after midnight,
but I enjoyed these conversations and discussions, for they gave me an
understanding of the position that such persons generally take in regard
to religion.
One evening he accompanied me to the country, where I held a meeting in
a private home. About fifteen minutes after I had entered the pulpit, I
noticed that a deep conviction settled down upon him. Tears filled his
eyes, and he was unable to hide his emotions. One night at one-thirty
in the morning he said to me: "I have a question I want to ask you. I
have had your life under my microscope for a while and have come to the
conclusion that you are one of the happiest and most contented young men
I have ever met. Still I have noticed that you have no interest whatever
in the enjoyments and pleasures that other young men of your age seem to
be so taken up with. Tell me, what is the source of your happiness?" My
reply was, "The source of my joy and happiness is the Christ that you
are trying to deny." Tears filled his eyes, and he said to me, "In my
public lectures and discourses and with my pen I have tried to influence
people against Christianity, but now I have found that Christianity can
satisfy and make happy; so I will never use my influence in that way any
more." I did not have the privilege of seeing this young man converted,
but I am sure that some day I shall meet him in heaven.