If Lewis had been Mr. A.’s own son he could not have been more carefully watched, and tended than he was. Towards the last his benefactor scarcely ever left him. One evening, as he sat by the bedside, wiping his damp brow, he said, gently, “You appear to suffer a good deal, my poor Lewis.”
“Yes, sir; but when I think of all that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for the, I do not seem to feel it so much.”
“It would be well,” observed Mr. A., “if we could all of us thus follow the example of His meek and patient submission to the will of God. But you had nothing to do with His sufferings.”
“Oh, sir, don’t say that. Did not Christ die for sinners? and have we not all sinned and come short of the glory of God?
‘I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me,’
for me.”
“Poor boy! you have a tender conscience,” observed Mr. A., soothingly. “What harm have you ever done?”
“Rather ask, what good?” was the reply.
“And yet you do not fear to die?”
“No sir. Why should I fear? It says here,” laying his hands upon his little Bible, “‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ I believe; my hope is in Him, my Saviour; the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
He leaned back upon the pillow, from which he had half risen in his eagerness, pale and exhausted. “You must not talk anymore,” said Mr. A., soothingly, “you are too weak.”
He then closed his eyes wearily, and lay quite still with a smile upon his face, while Mr. A. continued to sit beside him, silent and thoughtful. Presently he began to speak again, but in so low a tone, that it was impossible to make out what he said. His mind appeared to be wandering. Mr. A. bent down, and laid his ear to the boy’s quivering lips. He heard him then— “There is none other name given under heaven, whereby we must be saved.”
They were the last words he ever spoke. But little is known of the early history of Lewis G. His parents both died of consumption. From a simple and touching inscription written in his little Bible (the only legacy his poor mother had to leave), as well as from his own childish reminiscences of the texts and hymns she used to teach him, we are led to conclude that she was an earnest Christian.
When Lewis grew older, and it became necessary for him to earn his own living, an opportunity offered for his entering a counting-house in London, and the distant relative with whom he had hitherto resided undertook to defray the requisite expenses, distinctly stating that it was the last thing he could afford to do for him. We have seen how, after that, God took care of the poor orphan boy, and raised up a kind friend for him in the time of need. That generous friend, too, led as it were by a chain of providences, was gradually brought out of darkness and error and unbelief, into light and joy and peace—peace in believing—peace in Christ. Rom. 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13); Acts 10:3636The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 10:36).
The minister to which reference has before been made, himself bore witness of the impression made at the time upon the different members of his congregation, through the incident we have just related.
“One lady came to me,” said he, and said, “Sir, if that youth should be right, then are we altogether wrong.” Another told him that she had found the words in her Bible. A third declared that they haunted her day and night, and she could not get them out of her mind, do what she would. One of the teachers, a clever youth, withdrew from the Sunday-school, asserting that he dare not teach any more until his own mind was more settled.
Many will say that such a good man as Mr. A., was surely on the road to heaven; but all who trust to good works, are surely on the road to hell ; for the Lord Jesus has said, that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins. John 8:2424I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24).
ML 12/18/1904