“I like a godly workman,” said a well-known author, and I say so also. There are some godly workmen who are as honourable as any in the nation; their fine qualities and holy practice can be observed in all the principal duties of life and they shine as bright lights in the world. These have a powerful influence over mankind and to the benefit of Britain and the world they are becoming more numerous. Much that is done for maintaining the Gospel in our own land and for spreading it in other countries is done by the hands, tongues and purses of the families of religious tradesmen.
*The above is a translation of a Gaelic article that appeared in the Magazine many years ago. We consider it well worth republishing.—D. M. Macdonald.
Among these excellent people I place my Russian tailor.
His brief and simple history has often been declared to many who were greatly impressed by it and not a few have confessed that they benefited much by his example. I shall now tell his story in a more durable manner in the hope that readers as well as hearers may find it profitable.
When he was a very young man he visited England and resolved to become a sailor. He became a seaman first on the slave ships from Liverpool and from time to time made six voyages from the coast of Africa to the West Indies. He gives a terrible description of the cruelties associated with the slave trade. He was “in deaths oft” both amongst black and white men but God preserved him.
After this he entered the Royal Navy in the King’s service and was with Nelson at the battle of the Nile. Owing to the loss of one eye in the battle he was paid off; and it is a sad reflection that the dying scenes he witnessed in the slave ships and the narrow escape he had from death in the battle where he lost his eye did not arouse in him any sorrow for sin or desire to prepare himself to meet his God. No, his stony heart only became like adamant. There was no pious friends near him in these conditions to warn, exhort or plead with him. There was no man of God to guide him to the Saviour who could “open his eyes and turn him from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God, to obtain the pardon of sin and an inheritance amongst those who are sanctified” Acts 26: 18. How sad is the condition of those who are in this state! How deplorable is the common lot of the sailor; especially when he is a long time from home without a Sabbath or preacher to remind him that there is a God.
Surely the condition of these men should rouse the zeal of the church to make every ship a “Bethel and the heart of every sailor a temple of the Holy Spirit!”
When he was discharged from the Navy and had spent all his money he started work at his old trade and lived quietly ashore. After working as a wage-earner for some time in London he went to St. Petersburg now called Leningrad and became a supervisor in a large tailoring business but he took with him so much of the seaman’s nature and became at times so troublesome, accompanying his remarks with such dreadful oaths that his master had to dismiss him. He then set up in business for himself and entered the honourable estate of marriage, becoming very respectable and prosperous in business.
I became acquainted with him in this manner:—When speaking to one of my congregation on a certain occasion he said to me, “I met a little ago a member of the Russian Church who is a very fine Englishman. He was in England and speaks our language well. If you want anything done I would like you to give him the job.” “I asked what his trade was” and “he replied that he was a cloth merchant and Tailor very successful in business.”
Some months afterwards one of my young friends went to England and on his return brought me a fine piece of Yorkshire cloth for a coat and I sent it to the Russian tailor to be made; he did not take long to finish it and he came with it to my house himself. At that very moment I was transacting business with a gentleman and I therefore said to the tailor, “Sit for a few minutes and I will come to you; meantime read this tract,” and I then put the tract in his hand.
In a short time I was with him and paid his account. When he was leaving he said, “I hope you are pleased with your coat.” “I am well pleased with it,” I replied; how are you pleased with my tract?” “Oh,” he said, “I never at any time trouble myself with books.”
“Do you not,” I said, “I am sorry for that, man. You are now becoming an old man and if you do not trouble yourself with books I am afraid there is something else you are neglecting.” “What is that, sir?” What about your precious soul? “What shall it profit a man should he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16: 26. “Ah!” he said, “I think I know what you mean; you think that I should become religious.” “Yes, that is just it.” “Bless you,” he said, “it would be impossible for me to carry on my many business interests if I were to become religious.” “I wonder at you, man; how could religion spoil your business?” “Why, if I were religious I would require to go to church on Sabbath.” “Truly you would go there; yes, indeed, you would rejoice when Sabbath would come in order that you might hear something about God and His salvation.” “Well, I tell you, that it would be impossible for me with my business; I have thirty lads working and I pay the most of my accounts and receive most of my money on Sabbath; it is my busiest day.” “What did you say? that you never go to church.” “No, never at any time.” “This is worse and worse. You said you were not reading good books; and you are not going to church; you may be sure of it that you are going to hell. I have long been of the opinion that a man would not go to heaven who did not read the Bible or go to church; but I am certain that the man who despises these will not go to heaven.” “How do you manage to live? Do you believe there is a God?” Then he looked angrily at me and said, “God! O man, God! Did you ever see God?” Then I trembled thinking how low a man can go in wickedness and said, “I have not seen God but I have seen you and you are one of God’s works.” “Very good,” he said, “when you meet with one who has seen God be so good as to inform me. Good morning to you.”
The old man then took his leave of me and I did not see him again till I met him at the funeral of the friend who introduced me to him. This amiable man was struck down by a violent fever and died. There was great mourning for him. At the funeral service there was a large gathering and I addressed them on that beautiful verse, “They took away his body and buried him, and came and told Jesus” (Matt. 15: 12). Many wept, and among them I saw the Russian tailor with the tears streaming down his aged cheeks but I could not tell whether it was anything I said or the death of my friend that affected him so much. The Sabbath after this I saw him present in Church; also on the second and third. This was very wonderful to see yet I was afraid to call on him lest he should be offended and stay away altogether; but I said to one of my friends, “Did you see Mr. B—.” “I did and I can tell you something very pleasant about that old man.” “Indeed! what is it?”
“He has purchased an English Bible and says he is determined to read it; yes, and to read it all through to see if what you say is true.” “Therefore,” I said, “there is hope concerning him. There is often hope of a man when he begins to read the Bible earnestly.”
I now found him attending the week-day services as well as the Sabbath ones and I frequently saw his face lighting up with joy but I never spoke to him until a certain Saturday evening. I was sitting in my study when my wife came in saying, “There is a stranger asking for you,” “who is he?” “I don’t know but I think it is the Russian Tailor.”
Accordingly I went out and I saw him before me. He began saying, “Saturday evening is not exactly the time to call on you Mr. — but I have a little business to do with you.” “What business, sir?”
“One of your hearers had the desire to give you a new coat as a gift and I have taken to you. I trust you will not be angry.” I replied, I have not been accustomed to be angry with anyone and certainly not with anyone who would give me a new coat; I pray you, who is the kind friend that has done this?” “Ah!” he said, “that is part of the business; he does not like to tell you.” “Is he a young man?” He replied, “No.” “Is he an old man?” “He is an old man with a grey head.” There he stood by my side and his hair as white as milk but it never dawned on me that he was the man. “Maybe, sir, you will tell my wife who did this.” “I shall, I am not obliged to keep it secret from Mrs. —.” Then I left them and he told my wife that it was he himself who gave me the new coat. As might be expected I was soon informed; and very strange were the feelings that passed through my mind about the matter. Some days afterwards I met him on the street and I said to him, “Now, I know to whom I am indebted and I am greatly obliged to you for your kindness but tell me what moved you to give me this coat?” At once his tears began to flow and he said, “Ah, sir, were it not that God changed my heart I would never have thought of giving you the coat.” “Thank you,” I said, “for that explanation and if the coat has a connection with a change of heart then its value is beyond price.” Then he gave me an outstanding proof that his heart was indeed changed. He began to ask me advice concerning the spiritual welfare of his workmen. “I have a desire to ask you, sir, what I should do for my lads; I have great pity for the condition of their souls. What do you think I should do for them? Ought I to give them the New Testament?” I rejoiced to see this token of spiritual life in his own soul and I urged him in every way to give them the Scriptures. This encouraged him. His youth was renewed like the eagles. He speedily returned home and called his lads together saying, “I have a certain thing to tell you, my lads, then turning to one of them he asked, “Can you read.” “I can, sir, read Swedish.” To another, “Can you read?” “I can read German, sir.” To the third, “Can you read?” “I can read Finnish, sir.” To the fourth, “Can you read?” “I can read Russian, sir.” On ascertaining how many of his workmen could read and the languages they could read he came to me saying, “Now, sir, I lack a certain number of books in so many languages; and I am determined that on one in my employment who can read shall be without the blessed New Testament.”
Reader, think of the change of habits that would take place in the world if our workmen, merchants, and tradesmen would follow this example! This investigation led to the discovery of other things. He discovered not only who could read but also those who could not and for them he bought spelling books and he sent the readers to instruct them; for he determined that neither man nor boy in his employment who could not read would be without instruction.
Above all this he spent frequently half-an-hour in the evening with them reading and expounding the Scriptures. This was an uncommon, pleasant, and affecting sight; the old man would mention a chapter, then they would all read the same verse in their own tongue and their master would give a brief explanation in Russian, which all would understand. In this way a change came over the family as great as that which had come over the master. Instead of being defiled by worldly work on the Lord’s Day every day was now like a Sabbath. Prayer, praise, and godly edification were in practice daily. The voice of joy thanksgiving and praise were heard in the tabernacle of the righteous.
During the course of the next two years I knew no one who read so much of the Bible as M. B—and his joy at times was so great that it might be said, “he rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1: 8). His religion made him a happy man. From this time I watched his growth in religion with close attention and pleasure. His conversion was not a common one and I often rejoiced in heart on hearing the great and glorious thoughts he had about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a stranger to the controversial opinions that people have concerning the doctrines of the faith. He took his religion direct from the Bible and he thought that every person should have thoughts and feelings such as he himself had; but on a certain evening he found he was mistaken. He happened to be walking home from public worship with an Englishman who was a half Socinian* when they began to speak about the sermon. “What do you think of it?” asked my friend. “My opinion of it,” replied the Englishman, “why, my opinion is that there was far too much about Christ in it.” This startled him. He stopped, and shouted, “Too much about Christ, O man! You frighten me. Too much about Christ, O, man! He is everything to me:—Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption (1 Cor. 1: 30). Too much about Christ, why, I shall sing His praise for ever.”
*Socinians deny the divinity of Christ and also the Trinity maintaining that there is only one person in the Godhead.
On the following day he called on me and asked if they were numerous who had such low opinions of his Saviour, and I said to him, “They were.” “My misery!” he remarked, “that men are so blind. Taking upon themselves to be wise they are made fools of. It is no wonder they are unhappy.” This reveals to us the hidden spring from which his happiness flowed. God gave him steadfast joy and a good hope through grace and he went on his way rejoicing. He could not be otherwise than happy; and I really believe that Christians would be generally much happier than they are if they would think oftener of Christ and His claims on them.
Yet, although he was happy he was not satisfied with his attainments. Perhaps this may be considered an opinion contrary to the truth; but I shall explain it. He believed that there was a height, a depth, a length and a breadth in the love of Christ which he had not so far got to know but which he was eager to experience; therefore, like a man running a race he pressed on continually for the reward. For that reason he was remarkably diligent in performing religious duties when he had the opportunity. For a short time in the summer I went out to the country about nine miles with my family and I kept worship on a week-day evening in a room. On one of these evenings just before the worship my friend was seen to come in. I said to him, “This is a long distance for you to come, friend; I hope God will meet with you and bless you.” “O, sir,” he replied, “God met me on the way and He came with me so that I am already well paid for coming.” This is how he spent his life; so that at home and from home in secret and on the highway he was likely to enjoy frequently the presence of God.
Often when thinking of the wonderful conversion of this man, I thought he typified the language of the poet, “Lions and wild beasts shall grow like lambs gentle and harmless.”
Those who only knew him in recent years can scarcely understand the sort of man he was when he said angrily to me, “Did you ever see God?” But ungodly men who knew him in his unconverted state wondered greatly at the change which had come over him. One example will suffice us. A certain Russian gentleman went on a voyage to England and returned one summer to see his old friends. The vessel on which he sailed was in charge of a captain who prayed and kept worship daily in the cabin of the ship. The traveller could not avoid being present at prayers although he had no liking for them; indeed they were often a matter of dispute when the gentleman endeavoured to overthrow the religion of the captain by mockery. At last the voyage ended and the voyager proceeded to Petrograd (now Leningrad). Mr. B— used to be his tailor and he called on him and spoke about the fashions at the same time swearing, etc., etc.
At one time this was the very thing that would please my friend but now he had no pleasure in such talk. It was not only unpleasant but positively offensive to him. The grace of God that bringeth salvation was revealed to him teaching him to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in the world. He told this freely to the gentleman and offered to read a chapter to him which he could not refuse. Then he offered to pray with him and he could not refuse. This sight filled him with wonder. He could not mock now. This experience affected him so much that he sought the captain and told him the whole matter saying, “Now I know that there is reality in religion. Before I saw the Russian tailor I was of opinion that you and religious people were all hypocrites; but I cannot be of that opinion any longer. You will have to accompany me to see the man.” The captain agreed with this and he afterwards told me the great happiness he felt in the fellowship of this good old man. Oh, what a mercy it is to be able to bear such faithful testimony for God! What a privilege to be able to establish such a testimony in the heart of an unconverted man! What a commentary this is on that verse, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven” (Matt. v. 16).
As he became more acquainted with the Bible he was introduced to another world. He lost his enjoyment in the “pleasures of sin” but the discoveries he made in the Bible often filled him with great joy. It is my opinion that those who know the Scriptures from their childhood have no idea of the happiness and wonder that came into the mind searching for light when such a person hears for the first time in his life the effecting history of our Lord and Saviour. Such was my friend. He was born again when he was old and with the new birth he began to read the Bible; and he often called on me to speak about the glorious revelations given him; after speaking of them he would ask me with the simplicity of a little child, “Did you ever hear anything so beautiful before?” The lovable old man! It was all new to him, and he thought it should be new to me also! But alas! in comparison with him I was so accustomed to these things that my lack of feeling often made me tremble. Oh! how happy we should be if we could retain in our minds the freshness of our first warm spiritual affections!
But the Bible was not the only book from which he was learning. He was a spiritual bee. He gathered honey from every flower. See an example from what follows. When I was on a certain occasion preaching to young people I exhorted them to store up what they heard in these words:—
“A guilty conscience peace could not have
Its filth ne’er cleansed could be.
With blood of animals sacrificed
On altars that ceased to be.
But Christ the lamb from heaven,
All guilt removed hast,
His sacrifice more glorious is,
More merit his blood has.”
The old man took a hint from this and he learnt the hymn; then he came to me saying, “I have learnt the hymn.” “What hymn?” “Why, the hymn you advised the young folk to learn; and I thought if it was good for them it must be good for me also. Shall I repeat it?” “Do, if you please.” Accordingly he began and proceeded confidently until he came to the third verse when a tremor came in his voice and in repeating the fourth verse:—
“When I look often back upon
Each heavy burden of guilt,
Endured upon the cross by Thee
My guilt therein I see.”
The tears burst forth and he could proceed no further. This was to me a moving and affecting sight; the grey head, the trembling voice, the blind eye, the flood of tears, and the holy zeal, all combined together made an exhibition as pleasant as ever I beheld. I would now like my reader to see him engaged on the blessed work of spreading the truth of God. It is often said that charity begins at home but it does not stop there. This was the case with Mr. B—. His first care was to make his calling and election sure with all diligence. Then the care of his family: after that the care of the congregation and finally the care of every person whom he could reach. To reach the last class he was much engaged in spreading booklets and Scripture portions exercising considerable ingenuity in discovering ways to spread them.
On certain days it is customary for the tradesmen in the capital of the Empire to meet in the Guildhall in order that each trade may advance its own interests. These were harvest days for the good old man. A day or two before the meeting of the Guilds he would come to me saying, “I want some booklets in different languages. This is to be a great day in the Guildhall and I want to make a good use of the opportunity. Give me as many booklets as you can for a guinea. Then when the business would be over he would return giving me an account of what happened: “Terrible work yesterday, sir, in the Guildhall.” “What was it?” Some took the books and tore them in pieces stamping on them with their feet before my eyes. Others took them and flung them in my face saying, “What business have you with my faith?” “A number threw them in the fire, but I am not disheartened, sir. I will attempt it again at the next meeting. I will never give it up. Oh, never! Not one of them was such a great sinner as I was. And if the Lord Jesus Christ could humble himself to lay hold of such an old rebel as I was and to change my heart do you think that I shall lose heart? Never, I shall labour for Christ till the day of my death!”
Was this not apostolic? He knew that the same mercy that had been bestowed on him was able to soften the hardest hearts and to cleanse the foulest; for that reason he never became disheartened. Without doubt he became an outstanding helper of the Tract and Bible Societies.
His kindness to me was great and frequent. He gave me regularly every year a new coat as a token of goodwill and when he gave me the last coat he uttered these striking words: “To you, sir, accept this as a token of my love; and remember that it is a trophy of God’s grace as great as the idols sent home from the island of Tahiti.*
*Tahiti is an Island near Australia and the canibals in it were converted from idolatry by the Gospel.
Oh! what joy the converts of Tahiti shall have in meeting this old Russian tailor before the throne of God! What great happiness they shall have together singing, “Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing; for thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation!” Rev. v. 12, 9.
Are there not many lessons that might be learnt from the short history of this good old man?
I. There is encouragement here for those who may be endeavouring to lead old sinners to repentance. To turn a sinner from the error of his way and so to save a soul from death and cover many sins is a great work and there are many formidable obstacles in the way. Can the Ethiopian change his akin? Can those who are accustomed to do evil do good? Is it possible to change habits of sixty years? Who is sufficient for these things? To everyone who sees these difficulties I would say, “Take courage.” Look at this old sinner and go on with your endeavours without doubting. You cannot meet with any men more unlikely to become a true and earnest Christian than he was at one time. Think of the hardness and darkness of his heart when he said to me “Did you ever see God?” and then see him instructing his workmen, disputing with the Socinian, and attempting to convert hundreds together: and then say, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Oh! no. Therefore seek the worst in your neighbourhood and guide them to the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Remember the worse a man is the more he needs your help; and the older the sinner is the more he needs help quickly and without delay. If you were to see a man sinking in a river, you would realize if you were to help him you would have to do it at once or it would be too late. That is exactly the condition of old sinners. If they are not saved now they shall never be saved. They shall soon disappear.
II. The happy change that came over this old man is an encouragement to old sinners to seek the same blessing. This, my old friends, is a great inducement to you not to spend your lives as you have hitherto done but now at the eleventh hour to seek mercy. The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness; but is it not a terrible spectacle—a grey-headed sinner unprepared for death and unfit for heaven?
This was at one time the condition of my old friend in Russia; but he forsook his sins. He parted with his sinful companions. He cast himself on the mercy of Christ for salvation. It was a pleasure for him to go aside from the world and to pour forth his heart in prayer before God; in this way he became happy and then he laboured to make all about him happy as well. He neglected holy things when he was young but now he determined to work for God when he became old. He knew that he had only a short time to labour and he did as much as he could and did a great deal in a short time. There was nothing that seemed to make him change his resolution. When he met with difficulties they only made him more active in his labours. “I am not discouraged,” he would say, “I shall never give up! Never! I shall work for Christ till the day of my death.” And ought not his example to encourage you to do the same? If God had mercy on him he can have mercy on you if you ask him. If God made him happy can he not make you happy also if you would pray to Him? If God made him useful, could he not make you useful also if you would ask that of him and make use of the means appointed by God to do good? Without doubt He would do that, therefore come to a decision about it. When Jesus calls you, answer him. When Jesus invites you, run to Him. When Jesus offers a free pardon hold out your hand to receive it and when you have received it then sing aloud, “O, Lord, I shall praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation, and I shall not be afraid” (Isaiah 12: 1, 2).
III. There is an attractive outstanding reason here for consideration by young religious people.
On a certain morning when he met me he said, “I am greatly concerned about the souls of my lads, tell me what I should do for their souls.” Think on this. Oh, what a change would come over Britain speedily if every godly workman in her would feel like this man. What did his anxiety lead him to? My booklet will tell you that. And I have scarcely ever seen anyone with “earnest feelings” that did not result in good being done.
Matthew Henry says, “That earnest affections produce edifying words,” and we see that this is true from the habits of this good old man. And if he in his old age planned and accomplished so much how much more you can do who are in the morning or mid-day of your lives? Try. Yes try and “whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with thy might” (Eccles. 9: 10) taking the purpose of the old man as an example, “I shall work for Christ to the day of my death.”