CLARA’S home was in a fashionable watering-place, and she had in youth participated with keen relish in the pleasures of this life; had gone on and on in life’s pathway, thinking little of her future. She married a man of the world, and he was taken away; then she sorrowed indeed, even as those who have no hope; for as he had lived, so had he died, without God, without Christ. Her health gave way, and as a confirmed invalid she came to the hospital, feeling, as she afterward told me, that everything she had valued in this life was forever gone.
Yet then it was, when she lay disconsolate, and her soul in spiritual darkness, that, like the brighter and yet brighter flashings of rays of light before the sun itself appears, the light of the quick and powerful word of God was mercifully brought to bear upon her weary and desolate heart. She became conscious that light was shining, and appeared eager to come to that light.
Alas! how many prefer to sit on in darkness after being made conscious that “light is come into the world”? How many love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil, and they fear lest these evil deeds should be discovered? Can you, beloved reader, by any possibility hide one sin from God? Even our secret sins are set before Him in the light of His countenance. Yet He who sees all has accepted the blood of Christ in atonement for all, and that same blood cleanses repentant sinners from all.
Poor Clara from the very first eagerly listened to God’s precious word, which is indeed as cold water to each thirsty soul. I think it was the second time we met. As we were conversing together I perceived that a faint glimmering of light had reached her heart, and that God was about graciously to give the increase.
Feeling convinced in my own soul that the Lord’s time for her soul’s deliverance had come, I sat down at the foot of her bed, and I began to speak of the woman who had the issue of blood, who, believing in Christ’s power to heal, had in faith touched the hem of His garment, and was instantly healed. Why did the Lord say, “Who touched me?” Not for His own sake, but for her sake. He already knew that it was she who had in faith touched the hem of His garment, and was healed. He would bless, in her soul, her that had touched His garment in faith, and was healed in body. Indeed, she believed, and had been healed; yet she trembled. He would not allow her to leave His presence “trembling.” Therefore, by raising this question, and by so graciously condescending to explain the ground of His raising it, He convinced her that “she was not hid.”
He knew from the first that her desire for the healing of her body had already attracted her to Himself—her Healer. He would draw her, who trembled, a second time to Himself, that her soul might receive blessing; that she might henceforth cease to tremble, and enjoy assurance of faith. We read; “She came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.”
Thus she laid bare the secrets of her own heart before Him; she kept back nothing; she told Him all, and “before all.” “And he said unto her, Daughter”— she had already experienced in her body His power to heal; now He addresses her in a word expressive of deep and true affection; He is now manifesting in word His precious love— “be of good comfort; thy faith hash made thee whole; go in peace.” She trembles no longer; she now knows the comfort of His love. He has given her assurance.
Poor Clara! she was weeping abundantly nearly all the time I was engaged in setting the truth before her. At first hers were tears of genuine sorrow, for I knew her sins were many; but the story of His love seemed, as she continued to weep, to turn her sorrow to joy. Having commended her to God, we left her ward.
The next Lord’s day the snow was lying on the ground, but I, and the dear young sister who was with me and had heard all that had passed, felt desirous to ascertain if the Lord had blessed His own word to Clara’s soul, and had given to her also assurance of faith. We found her quietly sitting at the table. There was no longer agitation; it was peace, peace, sweet peace! Together, out of hearts each abounding with thanksgiving, we sang our hymn of praise to God. Whether it was the very hymn we then sang I am not sure; but almost directly after her conversion she evidenced a special love for that sweet hymn,
“I’m waiting for Thee, Lord,
Thy beauty to see, Lord;
I’m waiting for Thee, for Thy coming again,” etc.
Because of her expressed love for it, we often sang it together. Sometimes, after we had sung some other hymn, I would say, “There, now; that was a nice hymn.”
“Yes, it was a very nice hymn; but it does not come up to my favorite,” would be her response.
Now she happily realized that all was not gone when she first reached the hospital; for she could indeed thank God that, when all worldly hopes had failed her, He had given her that bright and blessed hope of going to meet her Saviour and her Lord, and of being forever with Him.
It is now several years since her happy spirit departed, to see His beauty, and to be with Him forever. Yet do I often think of Clara when we are about to sing: —
“I’m waiting for Thee, Lord,
Thy beauty to see, Lord.”
A. J.