“I HAVE some good news for you! something I know you will be glad to hear.”
The words were spoken by a happy-looking young woman of some twenty summers, and were addressed to her companion, somewhat of her own age. The two were standing at the extreme end of a large show-room, in an establishment where both were employed. The quiet of the dinner hour had taken the place of the busy rush of the morning, and M―, wishful to inform her friend of her news, went on a soft light shining in her eyes, as she said, “I am saved, and so happy, I felt I must tell you.” Very joyfully was the glad news received by her friend, who had often spoken to M― about her soul, and had long been praying for her conversion.
“Tell me how it came about, I am anxious to hear,” said A―.
“Well,” resumed M―, “for some time past I have been very unhappy, and longed to know Jesus as my Saviour, but there has seemed to be such a barrier, which now, it is plain, lay with myself. However, yesterday being Sunday, it was my turn to stay in, while the rest went to church, and feeling very miserable, and wondering if ever I would have the knowledge of my sins forgiven, I went out of the house into the shed, to get some fresh kindling for the fire. There my eye lighted on a scrap of paper at my feet. Feeling impelled to pick it up, I read these words, ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ It was a torn page of Scripture, and though I had read those words many times before, it came to me in power, as I saw it all in a way I had never done before. Was I not heavy laden, and in need of rest? And again those words ‘Come unto me!’ How sweet they sounded, and I just took Him at His word, and came. It was so simple, all my struggles ceased, and I found rest and peace in Jesus. How full was my heart as I left the place, which had become, as it were, the gate of heaven to my soul. That scrap of paper I shall preserve as a treasure, being the voice of the Lord to me.”
Dear reader, I stop here, but would remind you, that God has a voice for you-oh, hear it 1 It comes in many different ways, as it sounds forth so clearly, so sweetly, “Come unto me!” It may be your last opportunity. Come now!
“I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.”
E. A. M.