The Testimony of Cyril Francis

 In 1935 a 25 year old Canadian arrived in London to join the BBC as the host of a regular programme showcasing unknown performers.

Carol Levis was born in Toronto and brought up in Vancouver. As 1940 dawned, one of Carol Levis’s discoveries was a young Swansea tenor who was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. Promising him a record contract and show business career when the war was over, the soldier entertained his comrades and his life was one that his parents in Swansea would not have approved.

He had a close encounter with death after falling into the sea, in the black of night, in full kit whilst patrolling along a pier. Passing fishermen saved him from a watery grave and the incident gave him a wake-up call, but not enough to stop his life from continuing to spiral in a downward direction further away from the God in whom his parents trusted.

When his 21st birthday arrived in 1942 he was granted two days leave to return home to celebrate his coming of age with his family in Swansea. That Sunday, being his birthday, he acted the part of a dutiful son and attended a service in the local Gospel Hall. The preacher was  a Scottish evangelist whose text for that evening was “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42) His powerful preaching moved and convicted the young soldier to the point of conversion, but he resisted and went home to pack for his return to barracks the following day.

After a tearful family farewell he settled into the railway carriage to put the weekend’s celebrations and church attendance behind him with a much awaited cigarette, longing to be back at his barracks for a celebratory pint following a dry time at home. As the train stopped at the next station he looked out, and to his utter amazement, the Bible verse that had troubled him, “What think ye of Christ?”was staring at him from the station wall. Some would say it was just a coincidence!

The train continued its journey and well into the English countryside it came to a shuddering halt for no apparent reason. Opening the old-fashioned carriage window with its well-worn leather belt to see what was the matter, this young Swansea Gunner nearly jumped out of his skin when there;straight in front of him; at the very spot where his carriage had stopped was that verse again; on a board; in the garden; of the only house visible for miles. “What think ye of Christ?” God really was speaking to him!

Finally, the train reached the end of the line and our much relieved Gunner alighted from his carriage, loaded down not only with his heavy kitbag, but also with the burden of his sinful life in his heart. Turning to make the walk to the end of the platform there in bold letters, “WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?” Without any hesitation he sank to his knees, oblivious of his fellow travellers, he begged God for forgiveness and trusting in Christ to be his Saviour he committed his life into God’s hands. Rising from his knees with the great burden of his sin lifted he headed for his barracks with just the kitbag on his back. Carol Levis’s  loss was the God of eternity’s gain and the day after his 21st birthday became the best day of his young life. This story is true – that young Gunner was my Dad.

Is there a Bible verse which has been challenging you recently or over many years? Has the loving God of eternity been speaking to you through His living Word? Have you had a close encounter with death which has been your wake-up call? Do you realise that the Great God of salvation says: “My Spirit will not always strive with man”? (Genesis 6:3)He is also encouraging us to accept Him at His Word when He says: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)Do what my father did on that railway station platform, at the end of the line, and accept Christ to be your Lord and  Saviour – it will be the best day of your life!

Kind permission of his son Peter Francis.