"Well, sir, this is one: the Bible says that every man in order to be a Christian must have a change wrought in him called conversion, which to my mind is simply a change of opinion, with results which could be effected by other means. Socrates was made good by philosophy; and men of all opinions, even Mohammedan and Hindoo, have been made moral by the good in their systems. What we are to aim at is a perfect moral code free from superstition and spiritual tyranny."
"You must, my good friend, judge of a system by its general influence, as well as by its effect upon the individual; and I suppose that you would not like society to go back from the Christian to the heathen state, because there may have been moral heathens; or to live under the government of Turk or Hindoo, because some individuals among them have practised virtue. Now it occurs to me that you may not be quite clear in your views of the Christian system which you reject. It consists not of moral principles, which are its results,—but of a new life,—the communication of Divine influences. Let me illustrate this by your occupation. It is your duty to connect the band of this engine with the various machines; and thus by an act of yours a mass of inert mechanism instantaneously becomes subject to complicated motion, and invested with great power. It is so with the inner world of man's spiritual being, which has its facts as well as the outer and material. The soul of man has wonderful powers and capabilities, even when inert, in a state of spiritual deadness, resembling the machinery around us, until the steam force is communicated to it. Man in a state of nature is dead and incapable of loving God, or otherwise exercising the powers of his higher being; but the ever blessed Creator, by an act of clemency, pardons sinners who believe in Jesus, and gives His Holy Spirit to them. These divinely influenced persons form the Church of Christ, and of them the sayings of this Book are true: 'And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.' 'Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.'"
The man, who had listened with rapt attention, rose from his seat, and said with emotion, "I see it all, sir, as if scales had fallen from my eyes. I have had my machinery, philosophy, science, Bible, and all sorts of books, but I have never prayed, 'Give me Thy Holy Spirit.'"
"Utter that prayer," said his instructor, "in the name of the well-beloved Son, and you shall be endued with power from on high; for He has said, 'I will give my Holy Spirit to them that ask Me.'"
As the time for setting the machinery in motion had arrived, the visitor promised him a book on infidelity; and after shaking hands with the new acquaintance, made his way through the annex.
Several other visits followed, and as the blessed result, the man believed on the Saviour, and gave evidence of having passed from death unto life. A clergyman who visited the place a few months after, wrote of him, "Among others I spoke to a man in charge of machinery; a frank, open-faced, and as I should think, open-hearted Englishman. 'I was, sir,' said he, 'an infidel, until a gentleman spoke to me here, and gave me a Gospel. He then reasoned with me, and lent me a book. I am now persuaded that the Bible is true, and I am trying to be a Christian.' I think he has the root of the matter in him."
The readiness with which this man received the Gospel is exceptional. With sceptics of his class prejudice is usually so strong that to remove it is like working through a granite wall; and, after years of effort, the good frequently appears to be lost upon them. Such an incident is therefore a great encouragement to trust in the power of revealed truth.
The reproving of sin is also a plain Christian duty, and yet how few nerve themselves to do it. Besides, persons who, for instance, are guilty of profane language, not only show their need of good counsel, but their very words give the judicious Christian a kind of introduction to them, which can be used to advantage. We will give two instances in illustration of this use of the Book.
When travelling in Yorkshire, the visitor one morning lost his train at a junction, and had to remain in the waiting-room for some time. Three young men entered, who proved to be a barrister's and two solicitor's clerks. One of them in his disappointment at not being in time, as he had to attend a barrister at the assize, uttered an oath, and another took the Divine Name with worse than lightness upon his lips.
"Be careful, gentlemen," observed the stranger, "or you will never discover the legal title."