“Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.” (Eccl. 11:1.)
THIS little paper is the subject of a conversation (as near as can be remembered) which took place in a small cottage in the little village of P., in the county of W., in the year 1880. In this cottage lay one who more or less had been confined to her couch for fifteen years, and one whose body was much deformed through intense suffering; but her face was lit up with a radiance of joy, caused by the divine light that shone in her heart, as it is written: “For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
After a few questions respecting her health, the visitor asked:
“Do you know the Lord?”
“Oh yes,” was the ready reply.
“And how long have you been a believer?”
“Twelve years, sir.”
“And may I ask what led you to a knowledge of the truth?”
“Well, sir, it was some little books you used to send me at that time. They contained some very stirring tales, and they made me begin to think about my soul and eternity; and after some time I found I was a lost sinner; then I got very wretched and thought I never should be saved, and as weeks and months passed by, I became still more and more miserable, so much so, that my mother thought me at times out of my mind. Oh, sir, no tongue can tell the agony of soul I suffered.
“It was about this time I began to pray and read my Bible. I should perhaps read one of the little books―then pray, then go to church; come home, read again, then walk about like one beside myself―then take up the Bible again. My dear mother would walk up and down the garden with me and try to persuade me not to think so much, but I told her I wanted peace, and I could not find it; in fact I felt like one given up. And I well remember about this time how the light came into my soul. I was reading one day in Exodus, and found that instead of my own doings, and prayers, and waiting’s, it was all of the Lord, and from that time I read on and on, until I was like the woman who touched the hem of the Saviour’s garment. I touched Him by faith, and then found that peace I so much longed for; and praise His name I’ve been happy ever since. And as I lie here, I often pray that the gospel message you people bring into this village may be blessed to the souls of many.”
That evening, dear reader, in that little cottage, there was a rich repast. The Good Shepherd truly led His two weak ones into the “green pastures” and over their heads He waved His banner of love.
The visitor had forgotten all about the little books sent there so long ago; but not so with God who is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love.
Should the reader be a stranger to grace, may God according to His abundant mercy lead you by His Spirit to His holy Word; and there make you to learn in His presence that you are a sinner in danger of swift coming judgment.
Read in Rom. 3. from 9th to 23rd verses; and then read of the One who took the guilty culprit’s place and suffered in his stead. (John 3:16.)
Should the reader be one of the Lord’s blood bought ones, fain to halt by the way, I would ask such a one to read 1 Cor. 15:58. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Remembering in this case it was made known after 12 years or 4380 DAYS.
E. M.