>”[In praying and fasting for the souls of ‘special cases’]… for six weeks now I only ate what would keep me alive, and spent six hours out of every twenty-four upon my knees in prayer, confident that victory was coming. And oh the joy of my soul when God saved the chief of sinners in Gourdon!
The most unlikely man in the place was the first convert. He did not know the letter “a” from “b” – a perfect slave to drink and tobacco, with no sense of honesty and no idea of morality. His oaths were enough to pollute the air. He could have stood as a good subject character for Harold Begbie’s Broken Earthenware.
But when God saved him he became just as out-and-out for God as he had been for the Devil, and the news of his conversion was the talk of the whole village. It was an event without precedent in the place. I gave him opportunity both in the open air and in the hall to speak to the people. The effect was wonderful. Many present would break down and weep as “Sautie” (his nickname) proceeded to tell of God’s love and grace in saving him, and tears of gratitude would roll down his own weather-beaten face.
Many predicted that a few good shots of fish and a few extra shillings would end “Sautie’s” Christianity. But “Sautie” was a new creature. Old things had past away and all things had become new, for he soon appeared in public decently dressed; and his wife and family also showed a change for the better. His conversion and changed life proved a real witness for God in and around Gourdon.
He was anxious to be able to read. I bought him a large-print Bible, and spent half an hour daily teaching him to read. Ere two months had past he could read the 3rd chapter of John’s Gospel, and had also committed it to memory. Almost nightly, when he came in from sea and had completed the work on his lines, he would go down to the monument, where the people assembled in the evenings, and there speak to them on his much loved 3rd chapter of John. In public and private he earnestly sought the salvation of the people. Shortly after his conversion he was talking to some of his fellow-fishermen, and one said, “Oh, yes, you have stopped drinking and swearing, but if you are a true Christian, why have you not stopped smoking?” He replied, “Should Christians not smoke?” They all declared no Christian should smoke. He immediately took his pipe and tobacco and threw them into the harbour and never smoked again.” ~James McKendrick