MANY YEARS AGO it was considered wrong to own a Bible in some parts of the world. Many people were put to death for owning a Bible, and for loving the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the valley of the Tyrol in South Austria lived a dear Christian man, Peter Hollman, and his two teenage daughters, Anna and Eloise. They received news that soldiers were coming to see if there were any Christians in the valley. Their first thought was to seek a place for their much-loved Bible, and after wrapping it in many coverings, hid it under the hearthstone by the fireplace.
Soon a band of soldiers burst into the cottage, and after many unkind and angry words, they yelled and threatened the lives of the Christian family. Calmly the Hollmans confessed their faith in Christ. Soon the gleam of swords and the flash of pistols were seen, and the Hollmans entered into the presence of their blessed Lord.
The soldiers then plundered the cottage, but the eye of God was upon the carefully hidden Bible, for it was going to bear fruit for His glory “after many days.”
For thirty years the pretty cottage stood alone, and no one wanted to live there. However, a man named Adolph Pascilin came to the valley with his wife and children, and finding the cottage empty, decided to move in. After making many repairs, he was surprised one day to find, when repairing the fireplace, the carefully wrapped Bible.
“Come here, Annette,” he exclaimed to his wife, “and see what I have found! It must be something of great value by the care that has been taken to preserve it from damp.”
Both Adolph and his wife were very surprised to find it was a Bible, for they had never seen one, and, like most of their neighbors, were quite ignorant of God’s way of salvation. When they read the title page, “The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Adolph exclaimed, “Let us burn it at once, and so rid the house of wrong doctrine, or it will surely bring trouble!”
“Oh, let us look into it first,” pleaded his wife. “Can’t we read a few of its words? Old Lena, who lives on the other side of the forest, has told me so much about the Ho11-mans, and how loving and kind they were to everyone. If they were good people, it is strange that their Book should be a bad one.”
When Adolph and his wife opened the Bible, a piece of paper fell out, and they read these words: “I and my daughters have heard that those who seek our lives have entered our beloved valley. We will try to conceal this precious Book from their fury. Possibly it may fall into the hands of some person who would wish to know if the words we have loved to read in life, and if the truths we have drawn from it, are enough to support us in death. I answer, never did they seem so true as now; never were they so dear, never did they possess such power to comfort the soul. Stranger, a voice speaks to thee from the dead! It bids thee guard with care what has been purchased for thee by the blood of martyrs. Pray that light from the Holy Spirit may beam upon it, and that thou also may be able to say in thy dying hour, “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand... Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. In expectation of our dying hour, Peter, Anna and Eloise Hollman.”
A sob burst from Annette Pascilin and the heart of her husband was deeply moved. “What noble words'', he exclaimed. “I shall never cast into the flames a Book which could give such comfort in life, and such peace in the prospect of a violent death.”
Night after night Adolph read the Bible to his wife, and both were learning, through the Spirit of God, the way of salvation by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. One night Adolph exclaimed, “O Annette, how simple it all is. It is the Lord Jesus Himself who takes away our sins. Not one word is mentioned about doing good deeds and trying to get to heaven by churchgoing or merit.”
At first the Pascilins intended to keep their discovery to themselves, but they soon longed to share with others the joy that was filling their souls. They began by telling their children of the Saviour, and soon they were inviting neighbors to come and hear the wonderful words of God. Week by week the little company grew, and as the years went by, the Pascilins could rejoice over many in their own loved valley who were their sons and daughters in the faith.
Jesus gave her water that was not in the well;
Jesus gave her water that was not in the well;
She went away singing,
She came back bringing
Others for the water that was not in the well.
Jesus still gives water that is not in the well;
Jesus still gives water that is not in the well;
To all who come believing,
And His Word receiving,
He’ll give the heavenly water that is not in the well.
That means me, that means me,
"Whosoever will may come"; that means me;
I am so very glad because the Saviour said,
"Whosoever will may come"; that means me.
ML-11/23/1969