Miss S. as a child was very much alarmed at the thought of death; and tried hard to make herself fit to meet God. As she grew up, a strict life of religious profession marked her. Each day seven chapters of Scripture were read; whole Epistles were committed to memory, and she went frequently to church.
The time at length came for her to be confirmed. Through the good providence of God the aged clergyman, whose ministry she attended, was obliged through illness to leave the care of the Bible classes preparatory to confirmation to his curate; a man known as “Holy Mr. Deck,” a brother of the well-known hymn writer. He took earnest care of the girls who went to his house for Bible study. These classes were continued for six weeks, and from the first Miss S—was softened.
The last meeting came, and the tickets for candidates for confirmation about to be given. Mr. Deck was in the habit of giving questions for home study, and the last list of questions was put into her hand.
She has told me of her interest, as sitting Bible in hand, and writing materials before her, alone in her bedroom, her eyes fell on the last of the questions,
“Have you any reason to believe you are a child of God?”
Poor Miss S—had never had such a question asked her before. She had been looked upon as a Christian—a good religious girl. Her concordance could not help her here, search it as she might. Her long prayers and seven chapters of Scripture read every day could not give her a reason for saying “yes” to the interrogation. How every false prop passed away as she vainly endeavored to find an honest answer.
“I am not a child of God,” she said to herself. “I have no reason to say that I am,” and she therefore wrote “No” to the clergyman’s query.
Scarcely had she finished writing that word, when another question at once rose in her heart, “Then what are you, if you are not a child of God?”
“Nothing better than an undone, lost sinner,” was her response.
At that moment the blessed words came to her memory, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15); and “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
O! what a revelation was this! “I receive Christ as my Savior now,” she said. “I believe in Him, and I am a child of God.”
Taking up her pen, she erased the word “No,” and wrote “Yes, (John 1:12).”
Her load was gone! She bounded down the stairs, confessing Christ as her Savior that very day. Many years have passed, but her joy remains.
Reader, can you say “Yes” to that question, or have you to say “No” —which?