Mr. Cross, a true child of God, was much disturbed to find living in his neighborhood a notorious infidel. He longed to have friendly contact with the man that he might present Christ to his soul. However his every overture of neighborliness was vigorously repulsed.
His concern for the skeptic's spiritual welfare was greatly increased when this unbeliever in the love of God became very ill. Several times Mr. Cross attempted to see him; but the wife, obeying her husband's orders, refused to admit any Christian to his bedside. The good man was not discouraged, but looked to God for a solution to his difficulty.
In his Bible class of young girls was one whose voice was particularly sweet and impressive in song. She too was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to her Mr. Cross appealed in his dilemma.
“Mabel, would you mind singing a hymn in the bedroom of a very sick man—sick in soul and body?”
Like every truly born-again soul, Mabel was happy to have opportunity to bring Christ before the lost, and readily consented to do his service. Carrying some beautiful flowers for the sick man she was promptly and graciously admitted to his presence. Placing the flowers on a bedside stand Mabel introduced herself, saying, "I have a message for you, but I must give it in my own way.”
With a prayer in her heart she began her hymn. Line after line, verse after verse she sang, and the Spirit of God softened the hardened heart and opened the rebellious ear. As she finished the last word of the hymn, she was overjoyed to see on the erstwhile skeptic's face a tender smile and in his eyes the tears of penitence. Quickly she told him of the deep interest her teacher, Mr. Cross, had in him and was commissioned to bid him to call.
What is the sequel to this story? It can be told in few words: "A brand was plucked from the burning.”
Are you who read this true incident still among those who scoff at the blessed reality of a saving faith in the shed blood of Christ? If so, I beg you to open your hearts to the words of the hymn that Mabel sang.
"There is a stream of precious blood
Which flowed from Jesus' veins;
And sinners washed in that blest flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That Savior in his day;
And by that blood, though vile as he,
Our sins are washed away.
E'er since, by faith, we saw the stream
Thy wounds supplied for sin,
Redeeming love has been our theme,
Our joy and peace has been.
Soon in a nobler sweeter song
We'll sing Thy power to save;
No more with lisping, stammering tongue,
But conquerors o'er the grave.”