A New Job and a New Life
But Dwight didn’t need that much time. He agreed on the spot and went straight to work for his uncle as a sales clerk. His uncle also found him a room to rent from some Christians, showed him where he could get his meals, and directed him to Mount Vernon Congregational Church.
Over the next few years, Dwight grew up quickly. He enjoyed attending lectures and checking out books from the local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), where he had become a member. Within three months, he became his uncle’s best salesman. He soon earned enough to buy new shoes for his mother and siblings back home.
A Spiritual Awakening
Following his uncle’s instructions, Dwight also attended Mount Vernon Church. However, the services did little to interest him. Fatigued from his long working hours, he often slept through the sermons.
Edward Kimball, a devout middle-aged man, led Dwight’s Sunday school class. He took a special interest in the eighteen-year-old shoe clerk.
A Visit That Changed Everything
On Saturday, May 21, 1855, Edward felt compelled to check on Dwight’s spiritual condition rather than attend to his daily devotions.
Along the way, however, he began to doubt the impulse. By the time he reached the shoe store, he had almost talked himself out of the visit. He feared embarrassing Dwight in front of his fellow associates or disturbing him while he worked.
Edward cautiously walked past the store. Soon, however, he returned, entered, and proceeded with his errand. He found Dwight alone at the back of the store, wrapping and shelving shoes.
A Touch of Kindness
Dwight had developed a deep admiration for Edward Kimball because of the kindness he had shown on the first day of class.
Edward had asked his students to open their Bibles to the Book of John. Unfamiliar with the Holy Book, Dwight searched through it page by page. Seeing his difficulty, Edward spared him the embarrassment. He handed Dwight his own Bible, already open to the correct passage, and took the one Dwight had been using.
READ ALSO: WILLIAM AND CATHERINE BOOTH (PART 11)
A Life-Changing Moment
Dwight later recalled Kimball’s visit to the shoe store:
“I used to attend a Sunday school class, and, one day, I recollect my teacher came around behind the counter of the shop I was at work in, and put his hand upon my shoulder, and talked to me about Christ and my soul. I had not felt that I had a soul till then.
“I said to myself, ‘This is a very strange thing. Here is a man who never saw me till lately, and he is weeping over my sins, and I never shed a tear about them.’ But I understand it now, and know what it is to have a passion for men’s souls and weep over their sins.
“I don’t remember what he said, but I can feel the power of that man’s hand on my shoulder tonight. It was not long after that, that I was brought into the Kingdom of God.”
A New Perspective
Forty years after Kimball’s visit, Dwight spoke about how his life had changed after coming to Christ:
“I remember the morning I came out of my room after I had first trusted Christ. I thought the old sun shone a good deal brighter than it ever had before—I thought that it was just smiling upon me; and, as I walked out upon Boston Common and heard the birds singing in the trees, I thought they were all singing a song to me.
“Do you know, I fell in love with the birds? I had never cared for them before. It seemed to me that I was in love with all creation. I had not a bitter feeling against any man, and I was ready to take all men to my heart.”
A Genuine Conversion
If a man has not experienced the love of God shed abroad in his heart, he has never been regenerated.
If you hear someone stand up in a prayer meeting and begin finding fault with everybody, you may question whether that person’s conversion is genuine. It may be counterfeit.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Tale Tuesday 071
Date: 16thJanuary, 2024
Title: : Dwight L. Moody – The Greatest Layman (Part 3)
Source: God’s generals- The Revivalists
Author: Roberts Liardon
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