IT has been pleasant and encouraging to hear of many young friends, and some older ones, who have followed with real interest the simple but ALL-TRUE story of my much-loved blind friend and fellow-worker, and now its last chapter must be written, and I am glad that it should be my privilege to give some record, brief and imperfect as I feel it must be, of her last days on earth; for "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psa. 116:1515Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15).)
For quite two years before the home-call came, those who knew her well and watched her closely, noticed that her strength seemed to be failing; dear Maria seemed languid and grew tired more quickly than she had been used to do. Still she kept so bravely on with her work—Braille-writing, or setting type with small metal pins for the printed sheets—and was generally so cheerful and always ready to help others, that it was difficult to think of her as seriously ill. Very often during the last year of her life she spoke gratefully of one short, but very happy holiday we had enjoyed together, saying, "You don't know how often I seem to hear the rustling of the breeze among the leaves of the trees in Miss L—'s garden. Oh, it was lovely!”
What seemed at first only a slight cold developed lung trouble, and it was felt advisable that she should have medical advice. Even in this the way in which the Lord cares for "His own" was very real and precious to the hearts of both, as Dr. N—, who is an earnest worker for Christ, took from the first a great interest in his patient, proving himself not only a skilled medical attendant, but a kind and greatly valued friend. He did not attempt to hide his doubts as to her recovery, but advised that for a time at least, the heavier part of her work (Braille-type printing) should be laid aside, and a few months later, at his suggestion that she might receive benefit from sea-air and special medical treatment, many of the Lord's dear people expressed their practical interest in and sympathy with, by giving her a three months' holiday, which she spent at "The Eversfield Hospital for Consumption," St. Leonardson-Sea. There she made several friends, and again found a kind and clever doctor in its Medical Superintendent Dr. T. Gambier.
She was certainly better on her return, and grateful for all the care and kindness she had met with at "Eversfield," and took up work with something of her old energy. But the seeming improvement did not last very long. Disease in her case, though for a time its progress had been arrested, was not cured, and colder weather had brought a return of some of its worst symptoms. A second but shorter visit to Dr. Gambier followed, but she did not rally, as we had hoped she might. Her journey's end was very near, nearer than any one of us thought. The suggestion that she should entirely give up her Braille work seemed to cause her so much grief that at last I ceased to press it.
An attack of acute bronchitis proved more than a frame already weakened by disease could resist, and she sank rapidly. Her old interest in the joys and sorrows of her friends did not appear to flag for a moment, and within two hours of her home-going she joined so brightly in conversation that it was difficult to believe, that for her, home and rest were so near.
All for her was "Peace, perfect peace," and joy was not withheld. A few minutes before her departure she repeated clearly and distinctly Bible words familiar to her from her school-days: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth—" then her voice ceased; when she spoke again, it was to bear her last testimony to the power and grace of Christ. “The Lord is good, so very good; I'm going straight home. Perfectly lovely! "and then without a struggle or a sigh, she quietly fell asleep in Christ. Hers had been a useful life, and she was greatly missed, but those who loved her could not sorrow, that for her years of blindness and months of suffering were forever past." With Christ, which is far better," was true of her, for He had loved her and given Himself for her. Would it be true for you? Do you know the Lord Jesus as your own trusted Savior? If you cannot say from your very heart
“Lord Jesus, I do trust Thee,
Trust without a doubt,”
you do not know the joy you are missing. Perhaps you are saying, "I really do mean to be a Christian some day." Do not put off decision for Christ.
More than a quarter of a century ago, two young men were standing late one night near a street lamp, speaking to each other in low, earnest tones. Now and then a Bible was opened, and a short passage of scripture read by the light of the friendly lamp. What was the subject that so detained them? It was salvation, the "Salvation of God, offered as a free gift," without money and without price, to all who believe on the Lord Jesus. One of the young men had not very long before accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and a joy he longed to share with others was filling his heart. The other, though an anxious soul, had not fully decided to be on the Lord's side, and his friend was seeking to point him to God's way of peace. "Decide for Christ to-night, Edward, you will never regret it." That night another soul was won for Christ; "saved to serve" became the motto of his new life. Our friend has often told the story of his conversion to young people in various parts of England and Scotland, adding "Did I regret it? No, never! Knowing and trusting Christ has brought the very peace of God into my soul, and filled my life with such joy as the world never knew." You will never regret decision for Christ: then why should you linger to regret wasted years and lost opportunities?
C. J L.