Conviction through Excess of Sin

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Richard Knill, in his early zeal which never cooled, seized an opportunity of distributing tracts to the North Devon Local Militia, when the regiment was on the point of being disbanded. The tracts were generally well received, but one man held up the tract and swore at it. Knill reproved him, saying he could not hurt the tract, but he would hurt himself. “Who are you?” cried the man, in anger. “Form a circle round him,” he said to his comrades, “and I will swear at him.” They did so, and the militiaman swore at Knill till he wept with grief. At this the men were ashamed, broke up the circle, and let him go. Many years after, when Knill returned from India, he was preaching in the open air a few miles from the same spot. During his sermon he noticed a tall, gray-headed man, and a young man with him, who seemed to be his son, both of them weeping. At the close they came up to him, and the father asked: “Do you recollect giving tracts to the local militia at Barnstaple some years ago?” “Yes.” “Do you recollect anything particular of that distribution?” “Yes; I recollect one of the grenadiers swore at me till he made me weep.” “Stop,” said the other; “oh, sir, I am that man; I never forgave myself for that wicked act. But I hope that it has led me to repentance, and that God has forgiven me. And now let me ask: Will you forgive me?” Mr. Knill wept again, and they parted this time with the prayer and hope that they might meet again in heaven.

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