I gave him the text, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  “Think over that,” I said, “and come to the schoolroom to-night.”  He did so, and was saved, to the great joy of his soul.  After the meeting was over, he remained behind a long time, and gave vent to his feelings with tears, when he remembered the goodness of God to him.

“This wooden leg of mine,” he said, “is a monument of God’s mercy!”

“How is that?” I inquired.

“Several years ago,” he said, “I was playing cards for money in a public-house, and was cheating in order to win, when the man I was playing with said, ’You would not have won that money if you had not cheated.’  I swore at him, and said, ‘God strike my limbs if I did so!’ I knew I had; and the man would not believe that I had not.  So we parted.”

“The next morning, I was working in the mine, close to a very large piece of rock, which had been loosened with the blasting, when it slipped from its place, and carried me along with it into the shaft.  As the heavy end was uppermost, it turned with its own weight, and fell across the shaft, pinning me against the side.  This rock was not less than two or three tons weight.  Notwithstanding the fearful shock, I retained my senses; but one leg was smashed, and the other severely wounded.  ‘God struck my limbs!’ I cried for help; and when the men who were attracted by my screams found me, they saw at once that it was impossible to extricate me without moving the rock.  There I remained for more than two hours, till they had put a sling around my body.  Having done that, they adjusted a strong chain to the rock and lifted the end.  As soon as they succeeded in raising it, down it went, carrying plate, ladders, and all before it, to the bottom of the shaft, which was many fathoms deep, whilst I was left hanging in the sling.  They then drew me up, and took me to the hospital, where one leg was taken off and the other set; but I was very ill for a long time.  Oh, just think, if that rock had not pinned my legs to the wall of the shaft, I should have been in hell now!  The Lord saved my life then—­and has saved my soul now!”

Dear Frank became a very zealous Christian, and for many years preached the Gospel with much power and acceptance.  After his conversion, he came one morning to beg my pardon for having forbidden me his house, and to ask if I would come and hold a meeting there for his neighbours.

I did; and there was such a crowd inside, and also outside the house, and so much blessing, that I was not satisfied with one visit, but went again and again.