A brief autobiographical account of how S Rogerson of Southland was awakened in the Highlands of Scotland, and later saved in the backblocks of New Zealand.

I was born near Moffat, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in the year 1847. My parents were members of the United Presbyterian denomination, and when a boy I had to attend church services and Sunday School very regularly. The remainder of Sunday I had to spend learning psalms, texts, catechism, etc., and often felt glad when the day and all pertaining to it was over. Nevertheless, the scriptures learned bore fruit after many years, as we shall see.

On leaving home, at the age of fourteen my mother gave me a Bible and a book called the "Pilgrim's Progress", by John Bunyan, the Bedford tinker. She told me the Bible was the best book in the world, and she thought the "Pilgrim's Progress" was the next best, and I was to be sure to keep reading them, especially the Bible - she herself having set me a good example. As regards the Bible, I did not follow the advice my mother gave, but read with interest the "Pilgrim's Progress", and felt impressed with it.

At the age of eighteen I was engaged as a shepherd in Western Ross-shire. The most eventful thing in my experience there came to me one day after a heavy fall of snow, that had drifted into great wreaths overhanging the rocks and mountain precipices, so common in those parts. While walking along the top of one of these, getting sheep down to lower ground, the whole avalanche of snow gave way, carrying me with it down the mountain side at a fearful rate. Knowing well the dangerous nature of the place, I considered there was No escape from Instant death and full realised, as I had never done before, just as it were in a moment of time, that I was not prepared to meet a holy God. My whole life of sin in detail presented itself before my mind. Apart from this vivid experience, I could not have conceived that the human mind could be capable of comprehending so much in a single moment.

However, to my very great and glad surprise, I came to a stop unhurt about 300 yards from where I had started, my escape being indeed marvellous. If I had any doubts before about there being such a place as hell I had none now, for I had just been saved from dropping into it. There in the snow I fell on my knees and sought to thank God that He alone had kept me out of it, and made a promise that I would see to it that I would be better prepared next time. In my own way I made a start that very night by reading a chapter and repeating, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name," etc.

This resolution, however, was soon broken, as I found it irksome to continue it. The devil suggested that such an experience as I had had may never happen again, and that there was plenty of time: I was young and strong, and should just give it all up in the meantime. So I was easily persuaded.

From this time I just lived on in a careless way with regard to my soul's need and to eternity.

In 1870 1 was married, and with my wife Sailed for New Zealand I got employment as a shepherd in a back-block sheep station in Southland. In 1872 my dear wife became seriously ill, and told me she had an impression that she was going to die. I tried to persuade her that she would get well again; but at the same time grave fears possessed my mind that what she had said might turn out only too true; and if true, oh, that I just knew that she would go to heaven! What could I do for her?

My first thought was that I ought to pray for her; but this brought home to me my own condition, for I knew I was a sinner. I also knew that the Bible said that "God was angry with the wicked every day," and that "the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight". I remembered, too, that it said that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." And so, the more I thought about praying to God, the distance between me and a holy, sin-hating God became greater.

I then began to think that if I could only find, in this out-of-the-way place, a righteous man, that I could kneel along with him and he would tell God all about our deep distress, and His prayers would avail for my dear wife and for me; but I did not know of any. I set out for the nearest doctor, a distance of 40 miles, leaving home at night and arriving at his residence the following morning.

There was no quicker communicat-ion in 1872. The doctor said he could not possibly come that day. but arranged that I should meet him next day with a fresh horse and conduct him through the back country. I then hastened home and found my wife much the same as I had left her.

Next day, I went to meet the doctor at the appointed time, and after waiting five hours at the accommodation house where we were to meet, there was still no sign of him coming; but from the opposite direction I could discern a person coming in a buggy. As he drew near I could see by his dress that he was a clergyman.

My hopes rose high as I thought this was the righteous man I felt so much in need of, whose prayers would avail much with God. I could not gather enough courage to tell him my trouble before he entered the house for refreshment, but on his re-appearing (his pipe lighted and going well) I introduced myself and began to unburden my mind to him. He seemed to talk in a very matter-of-fact way by saying that it was the common lot of us all, that we must die some time, but never mentioned the name of Jesus to me.

I felt he had not grasped my situat-ion at all, and feeling Bitterly disappointed I watched him drive away. I then decided to go to the top of a hill from which I could see a long distance of the road, but there was no sign of the doctor coming. He had failed me, and the minister had failed me, and I felt I was just left alone - a vile, guilty, and undone sinner - before a pure and holy God. It was unbearable.

Just then a text came into my mind. "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you a rest" Matt . 11:28. I knelt down there on the top of the hill, all alone in His presence, and as I did so another text I had learned as a boy at Sunday School came to me, which says, "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Tim 2:5-6).

I saw the truth there and then, and said, "Thank God, that just exactly suits my case;" the Man Christ Jesus is the Mediator between me, a poor sinner, and a holy God; and He had given Himself for 'all', and that 'all' includes 'me'!

Believing these words, light from heaven dawned in my heart, and I realised that my burden of sin was gone. My heart was filled with thankfulness and praise to God for so great a deliverance.

I now hastened home to pray with and tell my dear wife of this blessed One who gave Himself a ransom for all. On reaching home, however, I was met by one of the women who kindly attended her, and she told me that my dear wife had passed away!

Forty-six years have gone by since I first trusted Christ, and during that time I have passed through many changes and trials, but I can say to the Lord's praise that "God and the Word of His grace" are sufficient under any circumstance.

If the reader of this simple testimony should still be unsaved, let me earnestly entreat you to trust in the Lord Jesus, "who gave Himself a ransom for all". You cannot do anything, nor give anything towards the ransom of your soul, for God has said, "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psa. 49:7). But God is perfectly and eternally satisfied with the ransom that Christ has given, and He has said, "Deliver him (that is, the sinner) from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom" (Job 33:24). The Lord Jesus has met the very highest claims of God's holy throne and our very deepest need, and all are invited to accept salvation as a free gift, purchased at a very high cost - the precious blood of Christ.

"Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free:
For God the Just Is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me."

"Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things" (Acts 13:38-39). Believe now, and live. SR

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16.

Copies obtainable free of charge from:
H J Rogerson, 14 Burgess St, Pleasant Point, New Zealand

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Appeared in Volume 4.1 January/February 1998