Growth of the Word of God
Cheyne Brady. Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. A most remarkable example of the value of free distribution of the Word of God has recently reached my ears. A well-known evangelical minister of Christ lately made a tour in Canada. Arriving at an out-of-the-way village, he found a lively assembly of French Christians, who were walking in the love of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. They had their church and school house, and, moreover, a college for the training of the young. At their head was a venerable minister of ninety, his white hair flowing over his shoulders, quite a patriarch in appearance. Surprised to find a flourishing Church in such a place, the visitor inquired by what instrumentality such a work had been brought about. The aged pastor went to his closet and produced a small French Testament, literally worn out. "This," said he, "was the commencement of the work. More than half a century ago, a lady passing through this place presented me with this little Testament. I was a Roman Catholic, but the perusal of this book, so freely given to me, was the means, through the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, of my regeneration. I was the first convert. I lent it to others, thence followed another' conversion, and another, until our number has reached three hundred. For years the priest persecuted me, and at length offered a large sum of money if I would give up the Bible, but when he found all his efforts unavailing he desisted; and now we are a happy united community, with our church, our schools, and our college." Here, then, is an instance of the importance of giving away the Word of God and gospel tracts. Owing to the gift of a small Testament, costing a few pence, one soul was snatched as a brand from the burning, and other converts were gathered in, resulting in a precious work of grace in a remote quarter of Canada. (Cheyne Brady.) Parallel Verses KJV: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. WEB: So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.