p. 7 | A Perpetual Miracle by Delaven Leonard Pierson

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 29, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 38.

A Perpetual Miracle

By Delaven Leonard Pierson

THE miracle of Saul’s conversion is not unique in history. Exact details of his experience have not been repeated, but the same result has been brought about times without number. This is the perpetual evidence of the truth of Christianity. No other religion is marked by this repeated miracle of conversion. Buddhists, Confucianists, and Moslems are born into their faiths and are educated into their religion. Only in rare instances are outsiders converted to their creeds, and among themselves conversion is practically an unknown phenomenon.

The Christian religion is different; discipleship is a matter of personal surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This way, by which Paul entered, is the one open to all ages and classes, young and old, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile.

Conversion is always a miracle, for it is always wrought by the power of God; but it is not always brought about by external supernatural agencies. The great essential is that the purpose and direction of life be changed if they have previously been contrary to the plans and character of God. This change is most marked when the life has been most antagonistic to God. Paul was transformed from a persecutor of Christ to one who was ready to suffer many things for His name’s sake. Jerry McAuley, of Water Street Mission, New York, was transformed, by as real a miracle, from a thief and a drunkard to a rescuer of thieves and drunkards. For many years John Jaeger, another converted drunkard, preached the Gospel in a saloon which he had converted into the Living Waters Mission. Kayarnak, a degraded Eskimo, became a missionary to his own people. Africaner, the Hottentot terror, became a Christian king; Nloko, the persecutor of Congo Christians, became Paul the apostle of Banza Manteke. These miracles are taking place in every city mission, in mining camps, and foreign fields.—Delaven Leonard Pierson.