t; and I
drew his attention to Romans vi. 23. "The wages of sin is death; but
the _gift_ of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." How
long does it take to accept a gift? There must be a moment when you
have it not, and another when you have it--a moment when it is
another's, and the next when it is yours. It does not take six months
to get eternal life. It may however in some cases be like the mustard
seed, very small at the commencement. Some people are converted so
gradually that, like the morning light, it is impossible to tell when
the dawn began; while, with others, it is like the flashing of a
meteor, and the truth bursts upon them suddenly.

I would not go across the street to prove when I was converted; but
what is important is for me to know that I really have been.

It may be that a child has been so carefully trained that it is
impossible to tell when the new birth began; but there must have been
a moment when the change took place, and when he became a partaker of
the Divine nature.

Some people do not believe in sudden conversion. But I will challenge
any one to show a conversion in the New Testament that was not
instantaneous. "As Jesus passed by He saw Levi, the son of Alpheus,
sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, 'Follow Me': and
he arose and followed Him" (Matt. ix. 9). Nothing could be more
sudden than that.

Zaccheus, the publican, sought to see Jesus; and because he was
little of stature he climbed up a tree. When Jesus came to the place
He looked up and saw him, and said, "Zaccheus, make haste, and come
down" (Luke xix. 5). His conversion must have taken place somewhere
between the branch and the ground. We are told that he received Jesus
joyfully, and said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation,
I restore him fourfold" (Luke xix. 8). Very few in these days could
say that in proof of their conversion.

The whole house of Cornelius was converted suddenly; for so Peter
preached Christ to him and his company the Holy Ghost fell on them,
and they were baptized. (Acts x.)

On the day of Pentecost three thousand gladly received the Word. They
were not only converted, but they were baptized the same day. (Acts
ii.)

And when Philip talked to the eunuch, as they went on their way, the
eunuch said to Philip, "See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be
baptized?" Nothing hindered. And Phi