THE house of Peter R. was up in the Highlands of Scotland. Situated on a hill-side, it looked down on one of the beautiful glens of that bonnie land. But Sweet and attractive as were the scenes of his childhood and youth, something lovelier far had attracted the heart of Peter. While yet in boyhood’s days his heart was won to Jesus, and in Him he found an object that surpassed all else; and from that time his life was a light shining in the darkness, for it reflected Him who was so dear to him.
Not many years had passed of this life lived for Jesus, when Peter was threatened with that fell disease, consumption. The doctors said that his only hope of recovery lay in his going away to S. Africa. This was sad word for Peter and the little family circle of which he formed part. But, trusting in the Lord’s loving care, and full of youthful hope as to recovery, he bade adieu to home and loved ones, and set forth on his long sea voyage.
The Lord’s tender care was over him, and he was not only taken through in safety, but soon obtained a position in his own line of work in the city of Adelaide. This, however, did not last long for he thought it well to go out to a farm twenty miles distant. But all was in vain; the fine climate and genial atmosphere of that distant land did not restore him to health and strength as he had fondly hoped it would. His lungs were not in a satisfactory condition; and after some months had passed he went back to the city to have them examined afresh. Much to Peter’s discouragement, the doctor told him that his lungs were not in as good condition as before; and he now concluded that he would return to his home in Scotland as early as he could.
But God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor are His ways as our ways. He was about to take to Himself one who had borne a clear, bright testimony for Him during the little time that he had known Him. I cannot give you the incidents in Peter’s life which spoke specially for Jesus, but I would have you notice that the Lord’s tender care was over him to the end.
Instead of being allowed to begin preparations for a homeward journey he was seized, the very next day after seeing the doctor, with a violent hemorrhage of the lungs, and one week later he was taken home to be with the Lord. During his illness, the Lord raised up true friends for this dear follower of His, and he was tenderly cared for and comforted in his last hours. Willing hands and loving hearts ministered to his needs.
When the dark hour came and the shadow, which brings despair to the unbeliever, fell upon Peter, all was peace. No sting was there, for, years before, the question of sin had been settled for him, and now he had nothing to fear. And the One who had been so precious to him in days of health was now the all-absorbing object of his soul. Those who bent over him caught, with the last flickering of his breath, these words, “Jesus, precious Jesus” and, “Jesus only; Jesus, Jesus only.”
He had lived the life of the Christian, and now the triumphant death of the Christian was his.
The kind master in whose employ he had been had the body laid away in his own burying ground. His death was precious in the sight. of the Lord, and his very dust was cared for. Ps. 116:15.
ML 08/14/1904