IT was late in the afternoon, in the village of D—, that we first met with Bella C—.
Her parents were of the mining class, poor and not able to give her the nourishment she required for her illness. Her cheeks were sunken, speaking loudly of the havoc consumption had made.
She chatted freely with us to begin with about the prospect of getting better, but when eternal things were referred to she was at first silent. After showing her that it was a matter of the deepest interest to her to have the question of salvation settled, she confessed that she had been anxious for three years, and, although many had spoken to her about these things, this was her first admission of her need.
It is a great point to admit your need of a Saviour. Reader, have you reached that point yet?
So we spoke to her of the work of Christ—His finished work, and how His precious blood could wash away her sins, and that all who believe are justified from all things.
We repeated that lovely text, Isaiah 53:5: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.”
The rays of the setting sun that wintry afternoon fell on us as her anxious soul found peace, and heavenly joy lit up her fragile face as she entered into the thought that Christ was wounded for her transgressions.
That verse has spoken peace to many a soul. Has it spoken peace to yours, dear reader? Remember that while Christ gave Himself a ransom for all, only those who feel their need of Him, and believe is Him and His finished work, get forgiveness and blessing.
It was a doubly beautiful sunset to witness, for that woman of three-and-twenty summers, on the verge of eternity, came to the Lord and was saved. We together then thanked the Lord for what He had done. We bade each other farewell, to meet again on the other side. She only lived a fortnight longer, but during that time her home was filled with praise and prayer. Her younger brother was led to the Saviour through her instrumentality just before she passed away.
May this little incident be used to stir up any undecided reader, like Bella, to trust in Christ for salvation, and to work for Him in testifying to others what great things the Lord has done, that others may be reached also.
R. W.