IT was a glorious summer's afternoon, many years ago, when a Christian man might have been seen sauntering along on the top of the cliffs at a favorite sea-side resort in the south of England. The air was balmy; and, while enjoying the golden sunshine and the sweet sea breezes, his thoughts naturally soared upward and heavenward to that bright home above the sun, where his heart's treasure was; even the One whose love he had proved for many a long day.
While thus engaged in quiet communion with his Lord, his eyes were suddenly attracted to an object far away, close down by the waves that sparkled like diamonds as they burst upon the sun-lit shore. This proved to be a middle-aged gentleman who was sitting facing the sea, and apparently reading a book with great interest.
Suddenly, like a voice from the glory, the thought flashed through the Christian's heart that, if there was any way of descending to the beach, it was the Lord's will that he should speak a word for his Master to the stranger in question; so hurrying along, he sought, though in vain, for some way of getting down from the top of the high cliffs.
Continuing his walk for fully half an hour he at length discovered a narrow, well-worn path that led down to the shore; on reaching which he was delighted to find that the object of his search had not moved from his seat, but was still eagerly reading. Quickening his steps across the sands, the Christian drew near to the stranger; and after remarking on the loveliness of the day, he noticed as he cast down his eyes that the gentleman was studying a Greek and English New Testament.
“If I am not mistaken," said he, "I think you have something good there.”
To which the stranger at once replied, "O yes, indeed it is; this is the best book in the world.”
“I am glad to hear you say that," responded the Christian; "for it is the unchanging word of God.”
“Just an hour ago, as I was looking at you from the top of yonder cliff and wondering what you were reading, a voice seemed to say to me, Go and speak to that man. So here I am.”
“I presume you love the Lord," he added, "or you would not be so eagerly reading His word.”
“Oh, yes," was the prompt reply, "I have been a believer in Christ for the last fifteen years.”
“Then," replied the Christian, "I suppose you know you are saved, and that, as a believer, you have eternal life.”
“I hope so," was the reply.
“But do you not know for certain?" asked his unknown friend.
“I could not say that," replied the stranger, with a look of deep interest in his thoughtful eyes.
“Will you kindly lend me that book for a moment?" suggested the Christian; and taking it from the stranger's hand, he read those peace-giving words, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life."
Emphasizing the last eight words, the Christian stopped; and looking his unknown friend full in the face, exclaimed, "K—n—o—w does not spell hope, does it?”
A bright smile overspread the stranger's face as, almost leaping from his seat, he exclaimed, "Sir, God must have sent you to me to-day, for I never saw that before, though I have read my Bible all these years.”
“Yes," was the rejoinder, "I fully believe He has, for I was deeply impressed with the thought that I must come and speak to you, as I walked on the top of that cliff some while ago.”
Need it be added that two hands were clasped together that day in mutual love and fervent joy, as God's own word, like a golden sunbeam, fell with gladness into a heart evidently prepared by His Spirit to receive it as His own message.
More followed, which has since been forgotten; but the memory of that bright summer's afternoon still lingers in the Christian's heart; and so he asks you, dear reader, "Are you one of the great army of desponding believers who think it humility to trust their own feelings rather than the plain word of God? If so, let me once more repeat in your ears the golden words of that grand and peace-giving text, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life.'”
S. T.