Mrs. B—, or, as all the school children called her Grandma B—, kept a little store near to our playground. We often gave her a call when we had a spare penny to spend, for Grandma kept a special kind of home-made candy of which as boys and girls we were very fond. Not only did we get “a good pennyworth,” but she had always a nice. kind word to speak to us. On Saturdays when there was no school or lessons, we often paid her a visit, and she told us nice stories.
Many years have come and gone since she went to be with Jesus, but I have not forgotten yet, the touching story of how the Lord saved her, as she told it to me one afternoon. I will repeat it to you, dear boys and girls, and I trust you may be saved as Grandma was, and as I have since been. She said,
“When we were young girls, my sister and I were fond of dancing. Many a long night we spent tripping on the ballroom floor, and then came home tired in the morning. We thought this was pleasure, and that there was nothing better worth living for. We had returned from a ball one morning before the daylight had dawned, and my sister and I were in our room preparing to lay aside our costly dresses.
All of a sudden, my sister sank into a chair and her face became white as the dress she wore. I ran for my mother, who came quickly, but before we could do anything for her, poor Agnes had passed into eternity, without speaking a word. I cannot tell you now all that I felt, but I never forgot that morning, and the sight of my dear sister lying pale in death, dressed in her ball dress. Ever after that, a voice seemed to follow me saying,
“Prepare to meet thy God.”
“I knew well that I was not ready to die, for my soul was not saved. For long and weary months, I tried to get saved by prayers and tears, but I was none the beer. One night I was hearing an address from the words,
“Behold I stand at the door and knock,” and O how glad I was, when I then learned that I had only to open and let the Saviour in. I did accept Christ as my Saviour; I did open my heart and told Jesus to come in, and He came, and has remained until this day. I am never weary, for He keeps me company.
I wish you boys and girls at school would open your hearts and let Jesus in. You have no idea how happy He would make you, and you would be spared the sorrow and tears that I had to bear until my heart was broken, and my cup of worldly pleasure spilled.”
This was Grandma’s story, ever sweet to me, because it showed me how I could be saved and made happy.
Have you, dear children, opened your hearts to Jesus and let Him in. He longs to be your Friend, your Saviour, and your Lord. He has loved you so much that He died for you, and if you take Him as your own Saviour, He will forgive you all your sins, but if you refuse His loving call and still keep Him out, there will come an hour when you will knock at His door, to hear the solemn words, “I never knew you: depart from Me.” Matthew 7: 23.
“When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us and He shall answer and say unto you, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13: 25, 27.
ML 08/30/1931