MRS. S. lay dying in the infirmary connected with the C— workhouse, and it was said that her illness, which was a very painful one, had been caused by drink. She had a husband and a family of children, but she had lived a godless, careless life, and now she had come to the workhouse to die.
In the same ward with poor Mrs. S. was an elderly Christian woman, whose name was Mrs. C. She had become a patient in the infirmary on account of weakness in one of her legs, and she was much interested in the dying woman. One night Mrs. S. was in greater pain than usual, and asked Mrs. C. to rub her. The request was complied with, and while Mrs. C. was thus trying to soothe the poor sufferer, she remarked, “The only One that can really help you is the Lord Jesus Christ. Why do you not pray to Him?”
Mrs. S. answered, “I do; but I am so wicked.”
“Then,” said Mrs. C., “you are just the sort. He came to save sinners. You know we cannot help you, but I will pray for you.” And even as Mrs. C. spoke, she thought of the woman “which was a sinner” ( Luke 7.3 7) who drew near to the Lord, washed His feet with tears, kissed them, and anointed them with the precious ointment, and heard from His lips the blessed words, “Thy sins are forgiven.” Oh! what a relief it is to the heart to be able to go to the Lord in prayer, and tell Him everything. Mrs. C. earnestly besought Him to draw this poor erring one to Himself, and speak peace to her troubled soul.
Mrs. S. slept during the greater part of the next day, and the nurse said she believed that she was “going soon.” At night she was worse, and at midnight she began to cry out with great vehemence to the other patients, “Do pray for me, oh, do pray for me!” And then, in piercing tones, she exclaimed, “Lord Jesus, do let me in! I do believe!” Over and over again she cried, “Do let me in!” and in the solemn hours of night these imploring words rang out many times, and were heard by Mrs. C., who was herself crying to the Lord to answer the half-despairing petitions of the dying woman. “Do let me in, Lord I do let me in!” again she cried, and then there was silence for more than an hour.
Suddenly, in distinct tones, Mrs. S. said, “He has let me in! He has let me in!” and these were the last words she spoke.
When the nurse went up to the bedside, she exclaimed, “Oh, she is gone!” And then Mrs. C. thought to herself that this poor deplorable sinner had gone indeed, not only away from the humble workhouse bed, but to the presence of the Lord. H. L. T.