p. 6 | A Special Deliverance by J. W. Boynton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1914

A Special Deliverance

By J. W. Boynton

J. W. BOYNTON

Some years ago while I was holding meetings in a little village of the Middle West, a man became deeply interested in the truth and soon began to observe the Sabbath. However, when I presented the subject of health reform, he made quite strong objections, urging that it made no difference what we ate or drank so long as our hearts were right with God. He had been a soldier of the Civil War, was about sixty-five years of age, and for more than half a century had used tobacco. When I tried to talk with him privately about this, he resented it as being none of my business.

But his conscience troubled him, and he had no peace. One morning his son, who was accustomed to ride through the country to buy stock, was preparing for one of his trips, when the old gentleman said: “Will, I believe I’ll take the shotgun and ride with you for a few miles and then walk back. Perhaps I can shoot some quails.” Getting into the cart with his son, he chatted and smoked for a little while, then slipped the pipe into his overcoat pocket, forgetting to remove the fire. He had just purchased a blue cavalry overcoat, of which he was quite proud. In a few moments his new coat was on fire, and all his garments were injured before the flames could be extinguished. As he looked at the damaged garments, he remarked, “Will, this pipe has cost me enough, and I am going to quit.” He had no sooner said this than the gun, which he was holding in his left hand with the butt on the floor of the cart, was discharged, the whole charge of bird shot tearing its way through his right arm just below the shoulder. As quickly as possible he was taken home, and surgeons amputated his arm at the shoulder.

As soon as I learned of the accident, I called on my friend. He was very weak from the shock and operation, but drew me down to him and whispered, “I am going to quit smoking as soon as I get up, but I do not dare break off now for fear lack of the stimulant would kill me.” I answered, “O my brother, if you want to quit, God is willing and able to help you just now as well as any other time.” Then I told him the story of old Sandy, the Scotchman, who was so addicted to the use of strong drink that he lost all he had, and at last was discharged from the shops where he had worked for many years. Some weeks later old Sandy attended a mission meeting one night and was converted. The next day he went to the shop and asked for work, promising not to drink again and his request was granted. His mates tried in every way to tempt him to fall. They even said his religion was a sham, but Sandy was faithful. One day his foreman said to him, “Sandy, you used to drink a good deal; how is it that you have quit?” He replied, “Sir, I ask God to keep me just for one hour as I go past the dramshops on my way to work; then I ask him to keep me hour by hour through the day, and he keeps me, just an hour at a time.” After praying with the dear old man, I left him.

When I returned to see him a week later, his face lighted up as I entered the room, and his left hand came out to greet me. Drawing me down to him, he said: “I want to tell you what God has done for me. I thought of old Sandy’s experience, and I said to myself, ‘If God can save old Sandy, he can save me.’ So I asked him if he would help me go through the day without smoking, and he did it. But I dreaded the night. It is so long when one cannot sleep. I asked God to keep me hour by hour. He answered my prayer, and I have not smoked since.”

He made a remarkable recovery, and now, although about fourscore years old, is still faithful. Perhaps there is some other poor soul longing for freedom from vile habits. The same God who could deliver old Sandy from the drink habit, and our aged brother from the tobacco habit under such trying circumstances, can deliver you. Our heavenly King still lives and reigns, and he says that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5: 20.

Bellingham, Wash.