Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

It arrested me. Astonished, I sat down in front of the church, andas I gazed at the picture, the most amazing feeling came over me— I felt sorry for Jesus. I thought, “Poor Jesus. There He is, andnobody is bothered about Him.”“Is it nothing to you, all you that pass by?” It was nothing to mebut I didn’t see that for myself, just for everybody else. I jumpedto my feet, raced down to the bay, and picked up the onions. Iran all the way home, put the change and onions on the table,and shouted to my mother, “There are your onions. I am off tothe match.”I ran all the way, found my pals, and sat down to enjoy myselfwith them. In those days we were laughing at Charlie Chaplinand Felix the Cat. (Mickey Mouse hadn’t come along yet.) Theother lads were laughing and talking, but those words kept comingback to me — “Is it nothing to you? Is it nothing to you, allyou that pass by?” I tried to fight it, but I couldn’t. It was a Wordof God in my being, and I could do nothing about it. For the nexttwo or three days, all I could see was Jesus, that picture of Himon the cross with those words, “Is it nothing to you?”Those were the words that hooked me for salvation, while I foughtto get off the hook. Soon afterwards, I went to the bread shopfor my mother. When the girl gave me my loaf of bread, shepassed me a leaflet. “We are having evangelistic services at theBaptist Church. Come along,” she invited, “and bring your motheralong.”“Come to religious meetings?” I asked.“Yes,” she replied. “Why not?” I told her that religion is all rightfor gossiping old ladies over cups of tea, but not for me.“You’re going to die the same as anybody else,” she commented.I took my bag and left without answering her. That Sunday night,May 1, 1927, sitting with my mother in the Baptist Chapel, I heardthe preacher, Arnold Bennett, teach the difference between God’ssalvation and man’s religion. He explained that man’s religionhas two letters in it: D and O , “DO”. “DO this. DO that.” Everyreligion in the world is based on DO. But only God’s salvation isfounded on four letters: D, O, N, E – “DONE”! I listened intentlyas Arnold Bennett related this story:11