A GENTLEMAN came to my cottage for a night's lodging about four years ago. He arrived at seven in the evening, and as I showed him into his bedroom, asked me for some hot water, saying he wanted to dress for a ball. On taking it to him, I enquired, “Is there anything else I could do, sir?”
“No, thank you," said he,” only please to call me at six o'clock in the morning, as I must take duty on Sunday, and I have a long journey tomorrow."
I then said, “Take duty, sir? I presume you are one of God's servants? "
“I am a clergyman," he replied.
He was very gracious in his manner, and after some conversation I said, “May I ask you, sir, how long you have known the forgiveness of your sins?”
“No one can ever know that in this world," he answered quickly.
“I beg your pardon, sir, in so saying, but the Scriptures say we have the forgiveness of sins' in Christ, redemption through His blood." (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7).)
“That may be," he replied. "But we go on sinning every day."
“Yes; but are we pardoned sinners or unpardoned ones? What does this mean: 'Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake?" (1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12).)
" Well," said the gentleman, " I am a clergyman, but I have never been spoken to in this way before in my life, I must confess," and then a companion of his called, and asked if he were ready. I begged his pardon for having delayed him.
“Oh, no," said he, very kindly," I should like a long talk with you."
I called him early next morning; he was soon dressed, and came to my room and said, “I do wish I could have a long talk with you, but I must catch the train."
“It is a most solemn thing," I said, “to preach to poor souls without knowing that one's own sins are pardoned, and to think that you will have all those souls to give account for to God."
“Will you pray for me?” he asked; “that will do more good than anything."
I told him I would indeed pray for him, and, if he would allow me to do so, I would send him a book I valued.
“Oh, yes," he replied,” if you will be so kind," and, taking out his pencil and a piece of paper, he gave me his address; and so we parted.
For some two months I heard nothing of him; and then I received a long letter, in which he said he did not yet know the forgiveness of sins.
Again a long silence followed, and then I heard from him again. It was to tell me that he was very ill, and I at once wrote him a line of sympathy. As soon as he was able to take up his pen, he wrote and thanked me for my letter. But, ah! what a different letter was this one. He wrote: “Oh! what desire and yearnings I have to see our Savior face to face, and to know Him even as we are known!" He went on to say that he would never be satisfied until he had seen Jesus, that his soul and heart longed after God, and that his illness was brought on by anxiety for the sick and dying, with whom he had been sitting all night to speak to them of God's love.
Such is the zeal of a new-born soul, who must tell others of the dear Savior. This servant of God yearned over the sick and dying, to whom he could now truly preach a blessed Savior's love.
F. T.