William Wileman.
The incident recorded here occurred in a City restaurant, and on the occasion referred to, the men at one of the tables were conversing upon the subject of religion and the argument grew so lively that it became impossible for those at the nearest tables not to hear it. As it proceeded the interest of the listeners became intense. The argument was chiefly as to whether salvation was by works or of grace, and whether a person could be assured of his salvation in this life. One of the disputants firmly insisted that salvation is by grace, through faith: not of ourselves, but the gift of God.
Another, a Roman Catholic, contended that no man can know he is saved until he dies, and, as a final argument, he exclaimed, “Well, all I can say is this: I have placed myself in the hands of my priest and he is responsible for my salvation.”
At this point a gentleman rose from his table, and lifting his hat, said: “Gentlemen, I believe I am well known in the Law Courts and in this room. I could not help hearing the argument at your table, and I feel bound to say that our Roman Catholic friend is perfectly logical in what he has said. I have also placed myself in the hands of my Priest, and He is responsible for my salvation. The mistake our friend has made is that he has chosen the wrong priest. My Priest is the Lord Jesus Christ. By faith I have committed myself into His hands, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him.” This settled the dispute. The effect of this, from a well known King’s Counsel, was marvellous. Perfect silence reigned as he spoke, and I believe that some men there heard the Gospel for the first time, thus preached in a restaurant, by an exponent of the law.