02.07. Chapter 07. A Hard Case

A Hard Case

I was brought into contact in South India with an elderly Englishman, of long residence in the East, one who had lived a dissolute life, and was resolutely hostile to religious subjects. For months we occupied adjoining rooms, yet only once did I succeed in introducing religious topics; and then, after but a few minutes, he closured the conversation by laughingly saying, "You missionaries are clever beggars: you deserve to succeed: I made up my mind that you should never talk to me about these things, and yet here you are at it." On the eve of my leaving the country, and burdened in spirit with his state, I resolved on journeying specially to his town to make one further attempt to reach him. On arriving, the monsoon rain was pouring steadily. When I reached the bungalow where I was to stay it was just the breakfast hour, and an inward discussion arose as to whether I should, as inclination

1 2 Corinthians 3:16. 2"No one can enter into the house of the Strong One (Satan). and spoil his goods, except he bind the Strong One." (Mark 3:27.) prompted, go in and refresh myself after the journey, or trudge on through mud and rain and first see this man. I finally decided to go on. He met me with unusual cordiality, and, to my great wonder and delight, in a very few minutes we were engaged in close, personal converse as to his life and eternal prospects. The change in his attitude was altogether extraordinary; but on my return to the place whence I had started the explanation was found. Shortly after 1 had .left, a lady, who also was deeply concerned as to this godless man, had gathered twelve other praying workers, and for over two hours these had continued in steadfast supplication for this one case and concerning my interview with him. They had commenced praying just before I had to decide whether to breakfast first or no, and had continued in powerful intercession until a little after I had left him, although they had no knowledge as to what part of the day 1 might be with him.

Such concentration of supplication may be compared to "barrage" artillery fire, by which a desired objective is isolated from opposing forces, and thus is the more easily relieved or captured. We would not unduly press a preposition beyond Its normal force, but let it be remarked that when our great Advocate spoke of a spiritual conflict in which He had intervened by intercession, He said to the subject of that conflict, "I made supplication around thee"1 and so, though Simon was suffered, for his own good and for his after usefulness to weak brethren, to be severely mauled in the battle, his faith, being protected by his Lord’s intercession, was not finally overwhelmed. A high privilege does the Captain of salvation share with His faithful followers in enabling us to take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for the help of the oppressed : a blessed thing it is to be able to draw out the spear and stop the way against those who pursue after souls for their ruin.2