JULIA was the only one in her family who loved the Lord Jesus. She loved Him because He first loved her, and she would often say in her heart, like the Apostle Paul, “The Son of God . . . who loved me, and gave himself for me." This was such a joy to her that she gave herself wholly to Him, remembering that He not only died “to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," and” to bring us to God," but that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. (Gal. 1:3, 43Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:3‑4).)
Wishing to be a living answer to such love, she said good-bye to the world and its amusements and diversions and linked herself with those who sought to live “according to the will of God." But it certainly was not always easy, for she had the world and the flesh and the devil against her, and she often had to remind herself that the powers for her were greater than the powers against her. God the Father, her Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit within her were ever for her, and how great their power!
Julia had eyes to see a great many things around her, which many miss. She observed the ways of men, and as she was daily learning from her wonderful guide-book, God's holy word, she grew in knowledge as well as in grace.
One thing she had noticed was that at the balls and parties and entertainments she had formerly frequented, the ladies often left the company and refreshed themselves in various ways by washing their faces and using various scents and smelling salts, and came back again looking all the better for their efforts.
“I will try that too," she said to herself, "I will get as often as I can alone for ' the washing of water by the word ' of God." (Eph. 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26).) "I will get alone with the Lord, if it is only for five minutes every now and again, and He will refresh my soul and tell me of His love, and remind me where He is and what He is doing, and having been comforted and encouraged, I shall be able to go on in spite of the many distractions around me.”
This became the greatest help and cheer to Julia, she constantly ran up to her own room to get alone with the Lord Jesus, and was thus not only encouraged to continue in her lonely path, but she was enabled to wear her priceless ornament, that of a meek and quiet spirit, before those who had no love for her ideas or her ways. And the Lord Jesus looked down upon her and made her conscious of His favor and
His holy friendship. "Ye are my friends" the Lord Jesus said when on earth, "if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:1414Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14).)
Julia knew that her sins were forgiven and that she would go to heaven if she died, and also that if obedient she might be amongst that privileged company who are called "my friends," so she studied the word of God to find out what the Lord's commandments were, and was like the Bereans, of whom it is written, "These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11).)
If boys and girls reading this will search the Scriptures and find out for themselves what are the commandments of the Lord, they will get immense gain and become of real service to the One whom they love.
Julia found out little by little how much she had still to learn. She discovered this by reading the word of God, but she found out too how increasingly great was God's grace and His power to carry her through. If she were speaking to you she would say in prose, if not in poetry:
“He, who hath made thee nigh,
Will draw thee nearer still;
He, who hath given the first supply,
Will satisfy and fill.
He, who hath given thee grace,
Yet more and more will send;
He, who hath set thee in the race,
Will speed thee to the end.
He loveth always, faileth never,
So rest on Him, to-day, forever.”