I had been longing and praying for something to do, or some special message to carry for Jesus, when I was ordered to duty in a strange ward. The sister in charge there would be away for several hours. I felt very pleased to take this new duty, especially in her absence, for this would give me a freedom which I could not have while she was there. Even in the wards there is often a jealousy about speaking to each other's patients.
Passing along the bedsides I observed a poor girl who had, along with other ailments, a bad case of dropsy. She was reading a book; but seeing a new nurse approaching, she laid it down upon the bed. I picked it up and read: "Food for the Children of God." I expressed pleasure to see her reading such a book, and she said it was indeed very good.
"And are you one of God's children?" I asked.
"Oh, no!" she replied. "I am not able to say that; I wish I were.”
I had time for only a few words, but I tried to encourage her to seek first to come to Christ as her Savior, for then she could fully enjoy the "food" as her own.
Later on I had to give her her medicine. When she had taken it I said: "If you could take Christ as easily as you have taken this medicine, would you not do it?”
"Oh, yes," she said, "I wish I could.”
"You can," I said. "The gift of God is eternal life.' He will give it to you; He longs to bless and save you.”
I had no opportunity to visit that ward again until many days later. My dropsical friend was much weaker. I slipped in and approached her bed. She at once recognized me; and putting her arms around my neck as I bent over her she said: "Oh, Nurse, I've got it! I am not afraid to die now!”
"What have you got?" I asked.
"Eternal life! And I shall never perish. No one can pluck me out of His hands." Then she added: "Nurse, I have you to thank.”
I stopped her by saying: "Both you and I have to thank God, for it was He who loved us and gave His only begotten and well-beloved Son that we might have eternal life through Him.”