A peacher was once traveling, and rested for a night in a village inn. He was waited on by a maid, whom he asked whether she ever prayed. She answered that she had so much to do that she could hardly find time to eat, and far less to pray. He responded by offering to give her a little money if, each night and morng till he returned some weeks afteards, she would only say three words of prayer, “Lord, save me!”
The shortness of the prayer, and the offer of reward, induced her to promise what the minister desired. Faithfully did she fulfill her engagement for a week, almost without thinking of what she said. Then she began to wonder what the words could mean; and she went as often as she could to her Bible, fancying that there she might find an explanation. In God’s Word she did indeed learn how much she needed salvation from wrath and sin, and what an all-gracious Saviour, Divine love had provided for her.
According to his purpose, the preacher returned to the village inn to stay for a night. He was waited on by, a strange girl. On inquiring for the former maid, he was told she had become far too good for the place, and was now the servant of the minister of the village. The preacher went to ask for her, and was received with tears of joy.
“I want no money,” she exclaimed: “I have found eternal life in Jesus Christ. I shall praise God forever, because you asked me to present the prayer, ‘Lord, save me!’”
ML 12/22/1946