He was a round, plump little Englishman, who lived next door to the minister and his wife. At one time he had been jolly and happy as he and his wife worked about their home. But after a brief illness his wife died, and with her seemed to go all his joy. Nothing anyone said seemed to make any difference. When the minister tried to comfort the old man by telling him that God could help him, the old man flew into a rage and declared, "There is no God; for if there was one, He would have heard me when I asked Him to make my wife well. I don't believe in Him any more."

And so the year wore on, with the little man getting more and more quiet, and staying more and more by himself.

The minister and his wife asked him to come over to their home for Christmas, but he refused. Then finally something happened. On the last day of the year, while the minister was gone, the kitchen stovepipe fell in. The wife couldn't reach it to fix it, and smoke was rapidly filling the house. Hurriedly she sent one of the children for the morose little Englishman, and he came running to help.

In moments he had the pipe back in place. The wife was thanking him, when the husband came in and asked him to stay for dinner. He did, and as they were finishing their meal, the radio was turned on. A voice announced that the program was coming from London, where the old year was almost over. Several carols were sung. After that came a short prayer, and then "Silent Night, Holy Night" was sung. The old man listened intently. There was silence, then through the night came the mellow pealing of Big Ben, the clock in the Parliament clock tower, booming out the hour of midnight.

The old man sat so quietly the minister and his wife were frightened, then they realized he was crying. Great tears were running down his round cheeks. "Ten-eleven-twelve" boomed the clock. Suddenly the old man found his voice. "It's Big Ben," he exclaimed. "I know it! I know it! And I never thought I'd hear him again! I used to live in London, you know." Then the old man added brokenly, "If I can hear Big Ben all the way from London, it must be that God can hear me."

"Let's talk to Him," suggested the minister softly. The old man slid to his knees along with the others. When he arose, the soft light in his face told that the old man had come back to the God he had once denied.

Yes, God knows when the trials of life have caused us to lose faith. He forgives, and He provides just the help we need. He has put within us a "heart to know" Him, and to recognize His call. As the old man recognized the voice of Big Ben, so we will know Him when He calls. Then we "shall return" to Him with our whole hearts.