Arrangements had been made for him to take the minister and his wife to
the city, a distance of fifteen miles, where they were to begin a series
of meetings. He went to the barn to prepare for the trip, and while
doing his chores, he started with a pitchfork of hay to the hack, but
his heart was so heavy and the burden of sin so great that in the
blackness of despair he cried out, "O Lord! if I drop into hell the next
moment, let me go. I can't stand this any longer"; and, dropping his
fork, he sank to the ground on his face pleading for help. The Friend
that "sticketh closer than a brother" was right at his side. He heard
that cry, for almost immediately my father was up rejoicing and
laughing. "You are mocking God," was his first thought, and quite
dumbfounded he dropped on his face again and tried to cry and plead as
he had just been doing, but it was impossible. His heart was so light
and the burden so completely gone that he could not remain prostrate
longer.
Now, strange to say, this great change was all so simple and so sudden
that the dear man could not comprehend at the time the glorious fact
that he had just been "born again," had just "passed from death unto
life." Still wondering over his changed condition, he finished his
morning chores. He led two frisky colts out to water and afterward
remarked how unusually well they behaved on this eventful morning. While
they drank, he stood looking up into the heavens, then out upon the
meadows and general surroundings. How beautiful everything appeared in
the beginning of this new day! Suddenly there came into his heart such
a love for the brethren that he wanted to rush into the house at once;
but, having those colts, he had first to return to the barn. Then he
came hastily to the house.
Instead of being so borne down and dejected, he came rushing through
the front door laughing heartily. As he caught sight of me, the reality
of the situation dawned upon him, and he rejoiced in this new-found
life--real Bible salvation. He stretched out his arms to me over a rocker
that stood between us and exclaimed as he embraced me, "O daughter,
I believe!" Before he could say anything more on account of his great
rejoicing, with a feeling of deep love and fellowship he reached one
hand to Brother B. on the couch and the other to Sister B. in a rocker
near the stove. Then he said, "Let us pray." As we knelt in real
thanksgiving and praise, he began to pour out his heart in gratitude
to God for salvation. Indeed, he was no longer bound by Satan but was
free--yes, a new creature in Christ Jesus. When we arose rejoicing,
even the unsaved members of the family felt the mighty power of God and
gathered around weeping as we rejoiced and praised the Lord for this
great victory.