Disturbed the revival, killed by a horse

"In 1892 I was located in Holland, Ohio, as the pastor of the Free Methodist church. During the winter we held a revival meeting which continued for several weeks. At different times there was great disturbance in the meeting by the young men, and it became necessary to bring out the deputy sheriff from Toledo to quiet them. One young man, especially, persisted in his determination to create disturbance. He seemed to be a leader, and many were praying for his soul's salvation. I remember approaching him at different times and pleading with him to give his heart to God. He scornfully spurned our invitation and the offers of mercy. A few months later this young man was kicked by a horse, and the physician said he could live only a few hours at most.

There was great excitement. To think that he was about to die unprepared caused many to feel that an immediate effort should be put forth to secure his salvation. Among others I was appealed to, and the question was asked, "Why don't you pray? Why are you so indifferent?" It was impossible for me to pray, and it seemed impossible for any one else to do so, and, more than that, the young man, with a wail, declared that he had sinned away his day of grace. All I could say, was, that my praying for him had been done some months before. He had spurned mercy when mercy was offered. He died in a few hours, while pleading with his friends to give their hearts to God, and not to live as he had lived."

From: SIN, THE TELL-TALE By William Edward Shepard, God's Revivalist Press, Ringgold, Young and Channing Sts. Cincinnati, O.

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