How John Became a Man


As the news of John's wonderful conversion and of his work among the
people spread throughout the country, it reached the ears of Farmer Z,
in whose home John for the first time had attended family worship. The
kind-hearted man had never forgotten the boy who had endeavored to make
his escape to the barn rather than to come into the sitting-room at the
worship hour, and he felt a desire to have a good heart-to-heart visit
with John and to know just how he came to find the Lord. John was,
therefore, very much surprised one day to hear that this good gentleman,
of whom he had in the past been so fearful, was desiring to see him. But
he was glad; for he, too, had felt a great desire to talk with Farmer Z,
the one who was first to open his heart to a ray of heavenly sunshine.

"I have been hearing wonderful stories about you of late, my boy," the
farmer said as John approached him; and as he took the young man's hand,
his hearty handshake sent the blood tingling through John's veins.
"Come," the farmer continued, "sit down and tell me what it was that
brought about the change. My boy, I understand that you are already
getting to be quite a preacher. Is it true?"

"Well, Mr. Z," John modestly replied, "I hardly know what answer to
make, except that it was the work of my Savior. I am like the poor
beggar who was blind--'one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now
I see.' The same Jesus that healed the blind man has opened my spiritual
eyes, making me to see and understand what never before seemed
possible."