Andrew Dunn: A True Story, Part 3

Andrew was not at all bothered by the priest, knowing that he could not hurt him. He was distressed to see a supposed minister of Christ so ignorant of the true meaning.
The following Sunday Father Dominick cut them off from the communion of the Catholic Church. When the priest excommunicated Andrew and his family, he said that to hurt a heretic was hardly a sin. When Andrew heard of this, he rejoiced that he was counted worthy to suffer for the sake of his heavenly Master. Andrew earnestly prayed that he might be able to bear insult and opposition without anger and impatience. In the congregation that Sunday sat James Nowlan, a ruffian with a grudge against Andrew because of a piece of ground which he had wanted. Now he’d make him pay, and with the blessing of the Father!
James went there the following night. Crossing over the fields, he reached the door of the Dunn’s home. It was about eight o’clock, just as Andrew and his family finished reading together their chapter of the New Testament. They were kneeling and thanking God for the blessings of the day, and praying for God’s continued favor.
James stopped at the door, hearing the familiar voice of Andrew. It was unlike anything James Nowlan had ever heard; for the Andrew Dunn family prayed for their enemies!
Andrew interceded, “O Lord, if we have any enemies in the world, forgive them, whatever unkind thoughts or designs they may have towards us. Bless them with the knowledge of Thy Salvation, and enable us to return them good for evil!”
When his prayer was over, Nowlan thought he could embrace the man he’d come to injure. “Is this man a heretic? If he is, where are the Christians? Not in Father Dominick’s congregation, I am sure. If all that call themselves Christians, including Father Dominick, were like Andrew, it would be a different world!”
All his hostility against Andrew was gone, and he blamed himself for planning to hurt him. “God forbid I should hurt him!”
James turned to leave, then stopped. He decided to knock on the door, and confess what he’d intended to do.
Upon rapping at the door, James was met with the friendly face of Andrew Dunn.
They spoke awhile, and then Andrew invited him in. Sitting beside the crackling fire, they discussed the declaration of the priest against the Dunns’. Andrew showed only pity toward Father Dominick, which amazed James.
He also offered James the land that he had so longed for. But at that, the second man shook his head in wonder. “No, it is your land, fair and square. Please pardon me for my grudge, and for ever wanting to hurt you.”
After that, the men met together frequently to talk and discuss the New Testament. James Nowlan surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and was a new creature in Christ (1 Cor 5:17). Once a brawler with an angry face, James now wore a gentle smile. He no longer drank, nor loved to fight; and burned his club used in brawls. Amazed, his family wished to know what change had come to him.
When they learned that Andrew had shared the New Testament and prayed with James, his family wanted nothing to do with it. But his faithful life won them over. Soon there were two families meeting together in the Dunn cottage on Sundays.
The people of the village talked with astonishment about the changes they saw in the Dunns and Nowlans. They wanted to ask Andrew questions, but were afraid to speak directly to them. However, on Sundays when the families met to worship, there were not a few villagers listening at the windows!
After a year or so 12 families were added to the tiny congregation. They were filled with awe at the simple explanations of the Bible which Andrew made; and delighted over their new lives in Christ.
The church at the Dunn home did not use candles, nor priestly vestments, nor did they pray to the saints. Everything they did was founded upon the New Testament. Each Sunday the families gave of their earnings, and James and Andrew were responsible to distribute it. Upon agreement of all, the money supported the poor, the sick and widows of the area. All were visited and offered assistance as they had need.
Thus “their light shone before men,” and they showed that theirs was a faith working by love.
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16)
~Adapted from the original biography by Thomas Kelly