IT was an old story that Miss Wilson was telling the girls, and yet if we might judge by the look of fixed attention on the faces of the eight or ten young women seated in the class, on the Lord's day afternoon of which I am about to write, this story was a very interesting one.
Very simply, but as one to whom the story of a Savior's love had brought rest of soul and joy of heart in believing, Miss Wilson told the girls the way of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bessie Moss had just finished reading 2 Tim. 3:1515And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15): "From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Miss Wilson closed the Bible, and said, "As I look round my class, my eye rests on many of whom I can truly say, ‘From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.' Most of my girls are daughters from homes where the Lord Jesus Christ is loved and honored. Not one of these can plead ignorance of the word of God. All know the Bible is true, and I am sure there is not one in our class who would not feel shocked and grieved at hearing one word said against this precious book.
“But how many are truly wise unto salvation through faith in Christ?
“‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' And only those who have looked in faith to Christ are really wise.
“You cannot earn or buy salvation: it is a free gift. ‘For the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.' (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).) We accept a gift and thank the giver, do we not? and just so with the gift of salvation.
'Sinners now on Christ believing,
Everlasting life receive.'”
But as the superintendent's bell (which almost always rang before either Miss Wilson or her girls thought it could be so late) gave the signal for closing lessons, Miss Wilson ceased speaking, and began to mark the class registers; but not before she had noticed an anxious gaze on the usually bright face of Bessie Moss; so, looking to the Lord for wisdom and grace to say the words that would best meet Bessie's need, she detained her for a few moments after the other girls had passed out, pointing out one or two passages of scripture, and urging her to decide at once for Christ.
The following Lord's Day afternoon, Miss Wilson's school girls were again around her. The clouds had all gone from Bessie's face, and she looked so bright and happy that Miss Wilson felt almost sure she had some good news to tell, so she proposed that they should walk home together. Bessie was quite willing, and when Miss Wilson said, "I think you have something to tell me, Bessie dear;" her answer was, “Yes, teacher, indeed I have. For a long time I have been wishing to be a Christian; but last Sunday I was so unhappy, I felt as if I could not bear it any longer—I felt I was such a sinner—so I just went to God in prayer, and asked Him to forgive all my sins and wash me in the precious blood of Christ.”
Bessie stopped, speaking, so Miss Wilson asked, "Did He hear and answer you, Bessie?”
“Oh yes, teacher; I am sure, quite sure He did.”
“Why are you sure?”
“Because I feel so happy. It cannot be wrong to feel happy, can it, teacher?" Bessie asked, as she looked up wonderingly into Miss Wilson's earnest face.
“No, indeed, Bessie, it is not wrong to be happy; we are told in the word of God to rejoice evermore. (1 Thess. 5) In believing in Christ we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' (1 Peter 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8).) But trusting joy is not quite the same thing as trusting Christ. Happy feelings may and will pass away, but the Lord Jesus Christ is a real, living Person, and if I am trusting Him, the change in my feelings does not affect the ground of my peace, because I am trusting only in the finished work of Christ, and that is something altogether outside myself.
“Do not think, dear Bessie, that I want to discourage you or hinder your joy. I can and do give thanks for another of my girls who has, I believe, really and truly come to Jesus; but I desire to help you to see more clearly God's way of peace.”
A few weeks later, and all the gladness had gone out of Bessie's face, and the old troubled, anxious look was there again.
Of course, Miss Wilson wanted to know the reason of this change. Tears were in Bessie's eyes as she said, "Oh, teacher, I am afraid I have been making a mistake; I told you I was saved, and I really did think it was true; but I do not feel happy now.”
Mr. Ferguson, the superintendent, was passing at that moment, so Miss Wilson turned to ask him a question.
“Is there any verse in your Bible that says, ‘Whosoever feeleth happy shall be saved'? My Bible says, It is ‘whosoever believeth.' (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).) But Bessie seems to think it must be a mistake.”
Perhaps Miss Wilson's question gave Mr. Ferguson a clue to the real state of things. He answered brightly: "My Bible says, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).)" And sitting down by Bessie, with his Bible opened in his hand, he pointed out to Bessie that salvation is by faith in Christ, not by any doing or feeling of our own.
Did Bessie see where her mistake had been?
Yes; I am sure she did, for though soon after she took a new situation and went to live at some distance from the school, Miss Wilson received a letter from her, which, as I think you will be pleased to read, I am going to copy for you.
“MY DEAR TEACHER,
“I have not forgotten you, though this is the first opportunity of writing I have been able to get. I am very comfortable in my situation, and getting on nicely by the Lord's help, for He is always willing to help those who trust in Him.
“How glad I am that you ever told me of His love.
“I shall never forget that Sunday afternoon, when you drew me to your side, and said, Do trust in the Lord Jesus vow, dear Bessie; He loves you, He died for you, He wants to save you.'
“And I took your advice, and trusted in Him, and now I can sing:
“‘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.'
“I must close my letter now. Please give my love to all the girls, and believe me,
“Your affectionate scholar,
“BESSIE.”
I think Bessie's mistake is one into which many young believers fall, putting feeling in the place of faith, or really trusting joy, instead of trusting Christ.
Perhaps some of my readers are making this mistake too. If so, I would urge them to look away from self to Christ; and peace—settled peace—will follow in the faith-look at Jesus. It is something like stepping from the shifting sand on to the solid rock.
How carefully the shepherds keep
Their flocks within their sight;
So Jesus watches o'er His sheep,
And guards them day and night.
The shepherd numbers twice a day
The flocks beneath his care;
He knows if any go astray,
Or sick or dying are.
So Jesus reckons one by one,
And numbers all His sheep;
He knows if but a lamb is gone,
For He doth never sleep.
The flocks of men are bought with gold,
And grass is all their food;
The sheep and lambs of Jesus' fold
Are purchased with His blood.