“I AM dying of consumption, judge, and I know that any sentence can have but little effect on me," and she coughed a hollow, vacant cough. The expression on the face of the judge remained unchanged, but his eyes dropped, and he did not raise them as the woman continued," Years ago I was admired of all the lively society around, I was my father's pride, but a man came and professed affection for me. My father said he was bad, and contrary to his wishes I ran away and married him.
“Father said I should never come home again—my home—how I longed to be there just to tell him all." She coughed, and caught a flow of blood on a handkerchief which she held to her lips. “My husband became addicted to drink. He abused me. I wrote again asking father to let me come, but the answer came, ' I do not know you.' My husband died. Homeless and wretched I went out into the world. My child died, and I wept over a pauper's grave. I wrote again, but the answer was, I know not those who disobey my commands.' I turned from that letter hardened; I embraced sin; I rushed madly into vice. Now I am here." A crimson tide flowed from her lips; they caught her as she fell, but she was gone. The judge had not raised his eyes. He, too, was dead. The woman was his daughter.
Perhaps the reader may be just like that young woman, out in the world, alone, homeless and wretched; your father's heart may be steeled against you; your longings for his forgiveness may be deep and real; you may yearn to get back to the old home circle which you so foolishly left for a life of worldliness. I want to speak a few words of cheer to you, for there is One who loves you, although you are a sinner. Thank God, His love abounds over your sin, and He waits to welcome you. This is a world of sorrow and sadness because of sin. Man's heart is so proud and hard, on the one hand, and so weak and foolish on the other, "but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins" (Eph. 2:4, 5), has declared forgiveness for such, for "Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
He has died for sinners. "Be it known unto you, therefore... that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified front all things." (Acts 13:38, 39.)
The judge in our story was rigid and would not bend to the pleadings of a breaking heart when his wayward child wrote to him. But Jesus says, "Come unto Me." Get alone, and look up. He knows your history, but, oh how He loves to hear it from your own lips, from your breaking heart. No doubt you have forfeited all claim to God's mercy, but He loves you notwithstanding all. Listen again to His loving welcome: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest." You will not require to go twice. No; for He has said,
“Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Will you trust Him? Tell Him frankly that you want Him to save you, and He will do it, and bind up your bleeding, breaking heart with the healing balm of His love, and fill it with the deepest joy. You say, How will I keep right? Ah, He will keep you right, and right on through everything, until He has you just where He wants to have you, with Him and like Himself forever.
Trust Him, and your heart will be filled with the memory of His matchless love. You will be able to look up and say, He "loved me, and gave Himself for me." Then you can carry the glad news to your friends and neighbors, that their hearts too, may be filled with joy.
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10.)
Give the Lord Jesus the joy at this moment of receiving YOU. God grant it. W. O.