ndeavored to make
his escape to the barn rather than to come into the sitting-room at the
worship hour, and he felt a desire to have a good heart-to-heart visit
with John and to know just how he came to find the Lord. John was,
therefore, very much surprised one day to hear that this good gentleman,
of whom he had in the past been so fearful, was desiring to see him. But
he was glad; for he, too, had felt a great desire to talk with Farmer Z,
the one who was first to open his heart to a ray of heavenly sunshine.

"I have been hearing wonderful stories about you of late, my boy," the
farmer said as John approached him; and as he took the young man's hand,
his hearty handshake sent the blood tingling through John's veins.
"Come," the farmer continued, "sit down and tell me what it was that
brought about the change. My boy, I understand that you are already
getting to be quite a preacher. Is it true?"

"Well, Mr. Z," John modestly replied, "I hardly know what answer to
make, except that it was the work of my Savior. I am like the poor
beggar who was blind--'one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now
I see.' The same Jesus that healed the blind man has opened my spiritual
eyes, making me to see and understand what never before seemed
possible."

Then as John related some of his Christian experiences, the farmer was
made to wonder at the loving-kindness and the great mercy of his God.

"John," he said, as he looked into the beaming eyes of the young man and
noted the boyish face but manly form (for there was scarcely a trace
of the early dissipation left), "I see that you have found the genuine
article. God has worked a miracle in your life, and I guess he wants you
to go and tell the world about it. How is it, my boy? Do you feel like
preaching the gospel?"

And then it was that John, in his simple, earnest manner, for which he
was so loved and admired, said:

"Mr. Z, I feel as though some power within me is leading me about; and
I long to tell everyone I meet of the Jesus, who so loved the lost world
that He laid down His life upon the cross. It seems I can think of
little else."

"That's it! That's it!" Farmer Z exclaimed; "God has put His Holy Spirit
in your heart and has called you into His harvest-field to go forth and
help spread the gospel. Go, my boy; and may God speed your footsteps in
ways crowned with blessings of success. I rejoice with you in your
calling and shall pray for you. When trials come y