A YOUNG Sunday School teacher in Chicago had a class of young girls whom he sought to lead to Christ. However, he was stricken with serious lung trouble and was compelled to leave the city to go back to his home in the country. Mr. Moody, then a young man, was asked to take over his place. The following week the sick teacher called on his substitute and told him he was greatly troubled because he was forced to leave his Sunday School class without having been able to lead one of them to Christ. “I really believe I have done more harm than good,” he said dejectedly.
Mr. Moody was deeply moved. After a little thought he suggested that the teacher and himself should visit each girl separately in her own home. The young teacher should inform her of his ill health and his grief at being compelled to leave Chicago without having led her to Christ. The young man liked the idea.
When he arrived at the home of one of the girls he talked earnestly to her about her soul and need of the Saviour. Soon the girl’s eyes were brimming with tears and her careless air had vanished. At the teacher’s request, Mr. Moody prayed and the dear girl broke down and right there she accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour.
The two young men went on to visit other homes and in each instance the result was the salvation of a young girl’s soul.
At the end of ten days the young teacher came to Mr. Moody, his face beaming with joy.
“Last night,” he said, “the last one of my class confessed Christ.” He was to leave Chicago the next night, and Moody called the class tether for a final prayer meeting. “At that little gathering,” said Mr. Moody Afterward, “God kindled a fire in my soul which has never gone out.”
The young teacher read John 14: “Let not your heart be troubled:... In My Father’s house are many mansions:... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” The little company tried to sing, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” Then they all knelt down for prayer. As he came out from the meeting, Mr. Moody lifted up his heart to God and thanked Him for the blessing that he received that night.
The following evening the young teacher left for his home in New York — never to return. Moody and all the girls of the class were at the station. They tried to sing but the effort ended in tears. The last sight they had of their old Sunday School teacher was him standing on the back of the train with his finger pointing upward. The last sound of his voice was his saying he would meet them in heaven.
ML-05/21/1972