G. W. was an interesting and amiable young man of about twenty-two years of age. His mother was a most godly, unassuming Christian, whose spirit and example constantly appealed to his conscience as to the reality and beauty of true religion. She also frequently spoke to him of the importance of seeking an interest in the Saviour and of living in the enjoyment of His love, and thus being prepared for whatever the will of God might send. The influence of his mother’s word and example often touched G.’s sleeping conscience, and he frequently determined to alter his ways. Under the influence of such feelings as these, he left his home and accepted a situation in which he was very comfortable, and gave satisfaction to his employers. Here he continued for some time, and we heard but little of him or of his state of mind; when suddenly to our surprise, we were informed that he had returned to his home dangerously ill, and with this news came a message that he would be glad to see us as soon as possible.
On calling, we were astonished to witness the great change already effected by the disease in G.’s appearance; his face had lost its glow of health, and was thin and pale—the finger marks of death were apparent upon it. The doctor informed us that G. could not be here long, and very anxious was the poor fellow about his health, as he strove to keep up a hope of recovery from the disease, under the influence of which he was fast passing away.
In relation to his state before God we could not get a word from G.; his lips were closed, but his eyes gave expression to great depression, anxiety, and unrest. After reading and speaking to him of the Saviour’s love, and engaging in prayer, we had to leave him without the slightest knowledge of the condition of his soul. This state of mind continued for some time, for, though G. was very grateful for our visits, and attentive to all that was said, his face only expressed his continued anxiety and sorrow. At last, after many visits, we discovered that he was in great distress of soul through conscious guilt and that he was in deep fear of death. The way in which, in days of health, he had slighted the monitions of conscience, and the influence of his mother’s example and words, all came to his mind. Again we brought before him the gospel of God’s grace, and its divine adaptation to his condition as guilty and lost, but still had to leave him in darkness and fear.
The next time we called to see him, the moment we entered his room we saw a great change in the very expression of his face. The look of anxiety, fear, and distress was gone, and that of a sweet peace and bright hope had taken its place, and, as he warmly grasped our hand, we said, “You do not look like the same being.”
“Well,” replied G., “after your last visit I looked to the Lord, and cried to Him to teach me. As I thought of what you said, how that God presents Christ to me and salvation in Him, I was helped to receive Him, and then peace and joy overwhelming sprang up in my heart, and have continued there ever since. My fear of death is gone, and I am ready to depart and be with Christ.”
How glad we were to share in the joy of this youth we need not say. His case was indeed a beautiful and practical illustration of the truth of the Saviour’s own words: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life”; and “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
As our young friend drew near to the end, he was too weak even to lift up his head from his pillow, but grasping our hand, and looking brightly up, he said, “My joy in Him is as full as ever, and I long to be with Him.”
To his mother he said, “If it were the Lord’s will, I should like to live to serve Him, but He has given me the honor of serving Him in suffering, and I long to go and be with Him to serve Him above.”
In this blessed state of mind he continued to the last, when his face brightened up with the light of a never-ending joy, as he fell asleep on the bosom of his great Saviour and Lord.
Speaking with his mother of her son, she said what a change she had witnessed in dear G.’s face since the time when the fear and terror he could not hide were written upon it; adding that after he had found Christ, and was led to rest in Him, his face had seemed to her as bright as an angel’s. As she thought of it she was filled with joy and gratitude to the Lord, who had heard her prayers, and had so blessed him.
This same joy can be yours! Are you living under the sense of guilt and in the fear of death? Look to Him of whom it is written: “There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared... and with Thee there is plenteous redemption.” Look to Jesus, who invites the weary and heavy laden to come unto Him for rest. Do as the young man did—obey the invitation of Christ, and, by faith, accept Him as your present and everlasting Saviour, and then not only will peace be yours, but the spirit of love, liberty, and sonship, filling you with joy unspeakable and full of glory. W.P.B.
The beloved writer of this paper has been taken from the regions of clouds to that of eternal sunshine. The last few weeks of his sojourn here, his mind dwelt much on the Father’s house above, and seasons of joy in communion with Christ were frequently his, so much so that he would exclaim, “I can’t understand why I have been so favored lately, unless it be the preface to the book; and my Father means to take me home soon.,, His toils and sufferings for Christ have come to their end, concerning which he would often say, “I would go through them all over again for Him.”
“From the conflict and the battle,
To the home where strife must cease;
From the storms of life’s rude ocean
To the port of endless peace.”