“Toodely doo”

Dr. Francis Dixon, a Baptist pastor in England during the early 20th century, was well known for his revival ministry in New Zealand and Australia.

One Sunday evening he asked a man named Peter to give his personal testimony of salvation.

“I was in the Royal Navy stationed in Sydney, Australia. One night I was walking down George Street when suddenly out popped this little old grey-haired man who said:

“Excuse me, sir, could I ask you a question? I hope you won’t be offended! But if you were to die tonight, do you know where you would spend eternity?
The Bible says that it will be either in Hell or in Heaven! Would you think about that please? Thank you! And God bless you! Toodely doo!” And he left!

And Peter said, “I had never been asked that question before, and I couldn’t get it out of my mind! When I got back to England I sought out a pastor and was converted to Christ!”

Seven weeks later there was a Gospel campaign at Dr. Dixon’s church. He asked one of the Evangelistic Team member to share how he got saved.

“A number of years ago I was in the Royal Navy stationed in Sydney, Australia. One night on George Street a little old grey-haired man stopped me and said:

“Excuse me, sir, ... a question ... if you died ... the Bible says ... would you think about ... God bless ... Toodely doo!”

“I went back to England and sought out a Christian business man and accepted Christ aas my Saviour and Lord!”

Several months later Dr. Dixon was in Perth, Australia conducting a gospel meeting. He said, “I have to share something with you all – and he told them about Peter and the other man. A man in the audience began waving his arms! What is it? Asked Dr. Dixon. “I’m another! I was in Sydney ... George Street ... Toodely doo! I accepted Christ!”

Dr. Dixon came home to his church in England and shared these stories with his congregation. A woman stood up and said: “Dr. Dixon, I’m another! Sydney ... Toodely doo! Trusted Christ!”

Later Dr. Dixon was at the Keswick Pastor’s Conference and shared these stories. A pastor stood up ... “I’m another! ... Sydney ... Toodely doo! ... Trusted Christ!”

One year later Dr. Dixon was at a Mission Conference in India and shared these accounts and a missionary stood up: “I’m another! ... Sydney ... Toodely doo! Converted!”

Months later Dr. Dixon was at a Christian Businessmen’s Convention in Jamaica and he shared these accounts. A businessman stood up ... “I’m another! ..... Toodely doo!”

Where do you think Dr. Dixon went next? He traveled to Sydney, Australia before going back to England and sopke to a Christian businessman. He told him the story and asked, “Do you know this old man?”

“Oh, sure!” was the reply! “Everyone knows Mr. Jenner! He’s been doing this for over twenty years! He’s very feeble now since he just came out of the hospital, and he’s almost blind.”

Dr. Dixon asked, “Would you take me to him?”

“Of course!” the businessman said.

Dr. Dixon introduced himself and began to tell the story of one conversion after another.

The little grey-haired man began to weep uncontrollably.

Dr. Dixon was concerned and said: “Excuse me, sir! What’s the matter?”

The little old grey-haired man said: “This is the first time in 23 years that I have ever known of someone coming to Christ through my testimony!”

He was FAITHFUL!

(As told by Dr. David Epstein at The Peoples Church, Sunday, August 20th, 2000)