ON the Lord's Day I usually visited the patients pretty early. So shortly after 9 A.M. I was again in the ward where Alexander was.
I had barely entered it when a sound, out rarely heard under similar circum stances, fell on my ear in the shape of a cheery, but courteous, " Good morning, Sir." Looking up, I beheld my young friend dressed and standing at the foot of his bed, which was nearest to the door.
" Good morning, Alexander."
" It's all right, Sir."
" 'It's all right!' What do you mean?"
" Oh, what you were speaking of last night. I could not sleep, after you left, for thinking of my sins, and what you told me about the Savior, and His love in dying on the cross for sinners like me. I lay awake thinking till four o'clock, and then (pointing to a window across the ward, opposite his bed), seemed to see the Savior dying on the cross, extended there for me and bearing my sins, and I heard Him say 'Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' So I just came to Him, and I have rest now, Sir. I have found Jesus and I am so happy."
Had you seen his face at that moment, my reader, even you would not have doubted his statement. It was like the face of an angel, perfectly radiant with divine joy. There was no mistake about it. Ile had simply and unreservedly cast himself upon Christ (go thou, friend, and do likewise), and, as a consequence, was filled " with all joy and peace in believing."
Alexander remained nearly a fortnight in the Infirmary, during which time he gave every evidence of being a child of God, and grew rapidly in grace; while it was only too evident also that his bodily disease was taking the same rapid course as in his brothers. This being so, it was resolved to give him the chance of life which a voyage to, and residence in, Australia afforded. A rich relation kindly paid his passage so in November he returned to London to await the sailing of a vessel. While there, I received two letters from him. One contained this expression: " I am very happy as regards my soul's salvation. I hope that you do always remember me at the throne of grace." The second, "I am thankful to be able to inform you that I am very much better indeed, and Dr I——strongly recommends me to go to Australia at once. I am going, if spared, on the 30th of this month (December), in a ship called 'The London,' of London... I hope You do not forget me in your prayers."