One Lord’s day evening a number of young men went down to a certain street corner and began to preach the gospel. As they told the old, old story of God’s great love to sinners, and of the Saviour who died on the cross, a number of passersby stopped to listen. Some of those who listened were quite attentive, but at the close there was no tangible evidence of any blessing. As these young men turned home, they might have felt somewhat discouraged; but they left the sown seed with God, knowing that He alone could bless and cause it to bear fruit.
Some days later a godly man and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Hunt, felt it distinctly laid on their hearts to visit the city hospital. They had done this occasionally, but this particular morning they were so especially pressed in spirit, that they laid aside their work to go.
Walking through one of the wards, Mrs. Hunt observed a young lady crying, and upon reaching her bedside inquired as to her health. The still sobbing young lady replied that her name was Jane, and that she was much improved in health. In fact, she was to be discharged that day as cured. This made the cause of her tears more of a mystery; and upon further questioning from Mrs. Hunt, Jane told her story.
On the evening of the above mentioned preaching, Jane had stopped and heard the good news of God’s free salvation. She had for some time been burdened about her sins and now for the first time in her life she heard that if she simply believed in the Lord Jesus, all her sins would be cleansed, and she be saved. With the eagerness of one grasping for a life preserver when about to drown, she accepted the Saviour as her own. It was a happy moment for Jane, But Satan did not want to lose another one from his grasp, and he stirred up the wicked hearts of her parents. With a heart running over with her newly found joy, Jane had gone home and told her parents what, to her, was good news, only to be rebuffed with cursings and abuse. Although it was a very cold night they ordered her out of the house. She had nowhere to go, and had wandered about the streets taking a severe cold.
In an exhausted and critical condition, Jane had been taken to the hospital; but now she was to be discharged, and with no place to go. She was only twenty years old, and the prospects were dark indeed as she thought of going out into a cold world without a friend or a home. However, a new phase of her life was about to open. She was to learn that the One who saved her was watching over her, and knew all about her suffering for His sake. The Lord had sent these dear Christians to the hospital for her sake.
Jane left the hospital that day, but not friendless or homeless, for she was taken to the home of Mr. & Mrs. Hunt. After remaining with these dear people for some time, she secured work with other Christians, Tier testimony was steady, and she grew in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As she grew in divine things she desired to answer to the request of her Lord who said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” This happy previlege was soon granted to her.
Dear fellow-Christian, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9.
“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccles. 11:6.
ML 03/12/1961