knows that if people try to make
themselves better, trusting only in their own strength, they will fail.
God says that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. By faith ye are
saved." And Peter, in his own simple way, went on to explain that Jesus
Christ, by dying on the cross for our sins, has become our Saviour, and
that if men will lovingly trust to Him, God will not punish them, but,
on the contrary, will look on them as possessed of the righteousness of
Christ.

"That's wonderful," exclaimed old Hixon, after Peter had explained the
truth in several ways to make him understand it. "I can hardly believe
it; and yet I suppose if one chap deserved a thrashing from me, and a
bigger one said, `Thrash me instead,' and I did thrash him, and well
too, I could not thrash the little one also."

Hixon continued silent for awhile and said nothing. He was evidently in
deep thought, as though perplexed with something he was trying to make
out, but could not understand.

"But I suppose a chap must not go and do what he likes after that?" said
old Hixon at length, eagerly fixing his eyes on Peter.

"No. If he really loves Jesus, which he must do when he knows that
Jesus suffered so much for his sake, and saved him from hell, he will
try and be like Him and serve Him, and turn away from and hate his
sins," was Peter's answer.

"For my part, I don't feel as how I could ever be good, and give up
swearing, and getting in a rage, or drunk, too, if the liquor came in my
way. I could only cry out--loud enough, too, like the man you were
reading about--`Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!' and I don't think God
would hear such a wicked chap as I have been," muttered the old man.

"The Bible says that Jesus Christ came into the world to save the worst
of people as well as the best; `I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.' These are the words of Jesus Himself. God
promises to hear all who come to Him. He says, `Knock, and it shall be
opened unto you; seek, and ye shall find.'"

"I will try and ask Him for what He knows I want," said the old man.
"And, Peter, just do you pray for me, and if you see me growing sulky,
come and speak to me those words you spoke just now, `Jesus loves you.'
I don't think I could stand hearing that and go on fighting against Him
as I have been so long doing--though it's wonderful! very wonderful!"

Peter did