1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. The following is one of many well-authenticated cases of converted infidels given in the Anti-Infidel: — Walking along a street in the "second city of the empire" a few days ago, I saluted a middle-aged man dressed in the semi-clerical garb of a mission preacher, and I rather surprised a friend who was with me by telling him that he who had just passed us was a converted infidel. The story of his being "brought back," as I heard it from his own lips, may not be uninteresting. Mr. B. — then, was at one time an avowed atheist, a professed and prominent infidel. He possesses a fine intellect; but, alas! he devoted his talent to the wicked purpose of "proving" the non-existence of the Divine Giver thereof. One evening a mock debate was held among his athiest associates, in which Mr. B. assumed the part of a Christian, and towards the close of the discussion said to his opponent, in solemn tones, Now, my young friend, when you go home, take and read your Bible for the truth of what I have stated, and pray for help and guidance, This was considered to be a rich bit of sarcasm, and made a "great hit." Some time after, Mr. B. was accosted by the same young man, who, to his surprise, asked him in real earnestness, "My friend, how about your soul?" "Oh, don't bother me with such stuff," replied Mr. B., impatiently. "Do you remember that debate we had?" said the young man. "Well, I took the advice you gave me then; I studied the Scripture, I prayed over it, and I have found peace; and, oh! my friend, you cannot do better than take your own advice. You gave it then to ridicule the cause you were supposed to be upholding. Now, I beg. of you to think of it seriously, and it will really do you good. Mr. B. — did take his own advice, with the result that he saw the error of his ways, embraced Christianity, and has been for years zealously preaching that doctrine which he formerly reviled. Parallel Verses KJV: Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. |
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