ALMOST PERSUADED

 Elder David Marks was a Free WIll Baptist preacher (1805-1845), born in Shandaken, Ulster County, N. Y., on Nov., 4, 1805. As I read his story, I was amazed at the maturity he showed while a teenager. Can you even imagine a teenager today being able to articulate as he did, with the fervency he had, and being willing to do what he did? As I read about his life, the word "persuade" or "persuaded" kept appearing. It immediately brought my mind back to a song we sang at church in my childhood, called "Almost Persuaded". I also thought of the Apostle Paul trying to convince King Agrippa that Jesus is the Christ, to which Agrippa replied, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."

At age 13, he set out on foot for Providence, R. I. He walked 368 miles before arriving at Brown University. However, upon his arrival he was informed that tuition would be free, but no other funds were available for boarding or clothing. He then walked 368 miles back home. On June 11, 1819, he was baptized and became a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Phelps. The following year he joined the Freewill Baptist Church in Junius. At age 15, he felt the call of God leading him to enter the ministry. He left home and began preaching.

He is mostly known for his sermon called "Nothing".  One day he rode his horse into Ancaster, Ontario, announcing he would preach. A crowd gathered, and Marks asked if anyone had a topic to suggest. A man mockingly said, "Nothing!"  Marks began preaching on "nothing." "God created the world from nothing", he said. "He gave us laws in which there is nothing unjust. There is nothing in us to justify us.There will be nothing to comfort sinners in death. But while Christians have nothing of which to boast, we have Christ. And in Him, we have nothing to cause us grief, nothing to disturb our peace, and nothing to fear in eternity." Finishing his sermon, Marks mounted his horse and left.

Elder Marks wrote this at age 17. "I retired to a grove and dedicated myself anew to the Lord; solemnly covenanting to live near the fountain of goodness that I might know the height and depth of perfect love and more successful in winning souls to Christ. Alas! How many when the Lord calls and makes them sensible of the awful danger of living in sins still harden their hearts and refuse their best, only eternal friend admission...unprepared to meet the awful swelling of Jordan. O Savior help me, teach me to persuade them."

 "Sunday, June 17, I preached to four large congregations in Rushford and Centerville. The power of Emmanuel was present in each meeting, and sinners wept as they viewed themselves in the gospel glass…Wednesday, I preached in China (New York); the day after, walked thirteen miles in the rain, and attended three meetings. My shoes were worn off my feet; and reaching the last appointment in Boston, Erie Co., I was much wearied; my feet were blistered, and so painful, that I was obliged to sit with them on a pillow, while speaking to the people. But amidst my privations and sufferings for the cause of Christ, my heart felt that more than double was rendered, by seeing one sinner this evening persuaded to turn and live."

Who among us have walked 13 miles in the rain, with blistered feet, and amidst such pain, just to preach the Gospel? How many among us have never even walked next door to tell our neighbor about the Savior? What preacher today would preach to a mocking crowd in public? This man walked 13 miles, shoes worn off his feet, blistered so badly, he had to prop his feet on pillows. All this to see only "one sinner persuaded to turn and live."  Was that one sinner worth all the pain? I sense we will hear the answer when we reach Glory. All I can say is how convicted I became while reading his story. O Savior, help ME to teach, to persuade them!

 “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.”

ALMOST PERSUADED

 “Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
  Seems now some soul to say,
  “Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
  Some more convenient day
    on Thee I’ll call.”

 “Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
  Jesus invites you here,
  Angels are ling’ring near,
  Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
    O wand’rer, come!

 Oh, be persuaded! Christ never fails—
Oh, be persuaded! His blood avails—
  Can save from every sin,
  Cleanse you without, within—
  Will you not let Him in?
    Open the door!

 “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last;
  “Almost” cannot avail;
  “Almost” is but to fail!
  Sad, sad that bitter wail—
    “Almost—but lost!”

 Be now persuaded, oh, sinner, hear!
Be now persuaded, Jesus is near;
  His voice is pleading still,
  Turn now with heart and will,
  Peace will your spirit fill—
    Oh, turn today!