Clarissa T. ran lightly down the steps of the Art School where she had just been taking her weekly painting lesson. There was a happy smile on her lips as she tripped along the road that led to the station. Life had such a different meaning to her since she had become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose atonement she had access to a Heavenly Father’s love, and to all the blessing’s that belong to His children. She rejoiced in the words,
“All things are yours, and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:22, 2322Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Corinthians 3:22‑23).
She was ever on the alert to uplift His blessed Name—by the help of the Holy Spirit—and to show Whose she was, and Whom she served.
It was race day, and the platform was crowded with “all sorts and conditions of men.” As the train arrived and came to a standstill, Clarissa was literally lifted off her feet in the mad rush for seats. In her bewilderment she hardly knew where to go, until she found herself hustled along to the open door of a coach where there happened to be one vacant place. She seized this opportunity and scrambled in, only too thankful to get a seat at all. Then with a shrill whistle, the train steamed out of the station.
As she glanced round from her corner, she found that she was the only woman in a smoking compartment full of men who evidently belonged to the racing and betting order. But they were too much engrossed with the races to take any notice of her.
What could she do in such company to show her colors and to glorify the Name she so much revered? Down in her leather bag, reposing among her brushes, palette and paint-box, was her Bible, which accompanied her everywhere. Drawing it forth she laid it on her lap. Her cheeks were flushed as she glanced around once more, and met the curious gaze of the man in the opposite corner.
He leaned forward on his folded arms, and observed with deliberate purpose,
“Do you believe in that Book?”
These words were so pointed that the conversation ceased, and all eyes were turned towards her.
“O, yes, yes, indeed I do!” she responded earnestly; and she clasped it to her heart, thus emphasizing her words by this involuntary action.
“How do you know it is true?” persisted her questioner as he looked straight at her.
There was a moment’s pause. Clarissa’s, eyes tilled with tears, and she could hardly keep from sobbing-as she prayed that the Spirit would make her a witness to the truth of the Living Word.
“How do I know?” she repeated, in wonder at such a question. “Because it is ‘discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,’ Hebrews 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12). Read this Book, and you will find that it knows and understands everything about you. It drags to the surface all our inmost thoughts and motives. It is a faithful mirror, reflecting us exactly as we are. It is thus we discover our real selves.”
She paused for a moment in thought, then continued,
“We are living in a world that has fallen under the power of death. But, thank God! there is a living Word in a dying world whose great purpose is—to give us Life Eternal!” Here her face became irradiated!
This Living Word discerns our needs—it meets those needs. It teaches us how to live, and how to die. Would that others had the same joy and peace in believing, that I have! Listen to Christ’s invitation: ‘Let him that is athirst come. And whoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.’” Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).
Clarissa ceased speaking; her words, so bravely spoken, carried conviction with them to more than one haert, and for awhile there was a solenm hush in the railway coach.
As the train steamed slowly into a little country station, Clarissa’s questioner rose to his feet, and taking down his satchel from the rack above him, remarked,
“You are a brave girl, and I am a coward! I am sure we all ought to be grateful to you for your striking defense of the truth of the Bible.”
ML 05/31/1942