“I have counted as if I had goodly buildings in the places where my spiritual children were born.  My heart has been so wrapt up in this excellent work that I accounted myself more honored of God than if He had made me emperor of all the world, or the lord of all the glory of the earth without it.  He that converteth a sinner from the error of his ways doth save a soul from death, and they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.”

Now, the great Apostle expressed what every ambassador of Christ constantly experiences when in the thick of the Master’s work.  His are the joys of acquisition.  His purse may be scanty, his teaching may be humble, and the field of his labor may be so obscure that no bulletins of his achievements are ever proclaimed to an admiring world.  Difficulties may sadden and discouragement bring him to his knees; but I tell you that obscure, toiling man of God has a joy vouchsafed to him that a Frederick or a Marlborough never knew on the field of bloody triumph, or that a Rothschild never dreams of in his mansions of splendor, nor an Astor with his stores of gold.  Every nugget of fresh truth discovered makes him happier than one who has found golden spoil.  Every attentive auditor is a delight; every look of interest on a human countenance flashes back to illuminate his own.  Above all, when the tears of penitence course down a cheek and a returning soul is led by him to the Saviour, there is great joy in heaven over a repentant wanderer, and a joy in that minister’s heart too exquisite to utter.  Then he is repaid in full measure, pressed down, running over into his bosom.

Converted souls are jewels in the caskets of faithful parents, teachers and pastors.  They shall flash in the diadem which the Righteous Judge shall give them in that great day.  Ah! it is when an ambassador of Christ sees an army of young converts and listens to the first utterances of their new-born love, and when he presides at a communion table and sees his spiritual off-spring gathered around him, more true joy that faithful pastor feels than “Caesar with a Senate at his heels.”  Rutherford, of Scotland, only voiced the yearnings of every true pastor’s heart when he exclaimed:  “Oh, how rich were I if I could obtain of my Lord the salvation of you all!  What a prey had I gotten to have you all caught in Christ’s net.  My witness is above, that your heaven would be the two heavens to me, and the salvation of you all would be two salvations to me.”

Yet, my beloved people, when I recall the joy of my forty-four years of public ministry I often shudder at the fact of how near I came to losing it.  For very many months my mind was balancing between the pulpit and the attractions of a legal and political career.  A single hour in a village prayer-meeting turned the scale.  But perhaps behind it all a beloved mother’s prayers were moving the mysterious hand that touched the poised balance, and made souls outweigh silver, and eternity outweigh time.