She was the only daughter of wealthy but worldly parents. Brought up in the lap of luxury, it was her lot to know nothing of the privations which so many endure. Riding out in the carriage one day, her attention was drawn to a plain unpretentious chapel, the singing in which caught her attention. The hymn,
“Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,”
was sung with great fervor. She alighted from her carriage, and there heard the gospel preached with simplicity and power. Her heart was touched. Convinced she was a sinner in the sight of God, and without Christ she would be lost Forever, she sought Him, and believed, and was saved. Frequently she visited this place of worship, to the annoyance of her father and the family. Her soul was fairly enlisted in the service of Christ, and she determined to deny herself, take up her cross and follow Him. Now came the testing-time. Her father insisted on her leaving “this low rabble,” as he called the church members, but her heart was fixed. She had received Christ and could not deny Him, but remembered His words, “Whoso loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” At last her father said, “You must leave these poor, low people and come with us, or you must leave our home. We will disown you.”
This was said in the evening after her return from a delightful meeting. Her father desired her to consider the consequences of her decision. “If you go with us, you shall have houses, lands, silver and gold, and other treasures; but if you will not give up these religious notions, then I will cut your name from the family Bible and disown you as my daughter.” Of course, these stern words of her father drove her to the mercy-seat, where she found grace to help in this her time of need. She kissed her father good-night, expecting that would be the last kiss of affection. Much of that night was spent in prayer for divine direction and strength. Both were given to her. Dressing herself in a pure white dress, she came down the nest morning never looking more beautiful; calmness and peace on her brow, with the love of Christ in her heart. Her father inquired what was her decision. She answered, “I am determined to follow Christ and leave all the rest to Him.” With his penknife he determinedly cut out her name from the family Bible and burned it, and told her to be gone from the mansion and never return. She obeyed, and as she walked clown the steps sung in a sweet voice without a tremor:
“Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly;
While the raging billows roll,
While the tempest still is high.”
Neighbors and friends heard the song. Many doors were flung open to receive her, but she passed on to a very plain house, and there met with many seeking Jesus. Here she related her struggle and its results. Many were converted. She became a real missionary. And, strange to say, that stern father, in less than a month, sought her prayers and became an earnest Christian.
Thus God made the wrath of man to praise Him and the residue He restrained. Is it not best to follow Christ and leave all consequences with Him? To obey is better than sacrifice. What are all the riches of earth compared with salvation? “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”