A SCOTTISH nobleman, of the Roman Catholic persuasion, lived a very retired life, and left his affairs very much in the hands of others. Donald, one of his tenantry, rented a farm, upon which his forefathers had lived for above two hundred years. The lease which he held was on the point of expiring, and the steward refused to allow Donald a renewal, wishing to put the farm into the hands of a friend of his own. Poor Donald tried every argument in his power with the steward, but in vain; at length he bent his steps to the castle, determined to make his case known to his lordship. Here again he was repulsed; the porter had received orders from the steward, and refused him admittance.
Donald turned away almost in despair, and resolved upon a bold measure, as his only chance of success. He climbed the garden wall in an unfrequented part, and entered the house by a private door. At length he approached the private apartments of the nobleman. He heard a voice, and, drawing near, found it was his lordship’s, and that he was engaged in prayer. Retiring to a short distance, he waited till the prayer was concluded, and could not but hear his lordship pleading earnestly with the Virgin Mary and St. Francis, for their intercession in his behalf. At length his lordship ceased. Donald, who had stood trembling with anxiety for the result, now gently knocked at the door. “Come in,” was his lordship’s reply; and Donald entered. “Who are you, man? what do you want?” was the inquiry. Donald slated his case. The peer listened, was touched with the tale, and, having heard something of Donald, assured him of his protection, and that his lease should be renewed. Many artless, but earnest thanks followed, and he was departing, when a thought of anxiety for his noble master occurring to his mind, Donald returned, and spoke thus: “My lord, I was a bold man, and you forgave me, and have saved me and my poor family from ruin. Many blessings attend you! I would again be a bold man, if I might, and say something further to your lordship.” “Well, man, speak out.” “Why, my lord, I was well-nigh a ruined man; so I was bold, and came to your lordship’s door, and, as I stood there, I could not but hear your lordship praying to the Virgin Mary and St. Francis, and you seemed unhappy. Now my lord, forgive me, but I cannot help thinking the Virgin Mary and Saint Francis will do you no good, any more than your lordship’s steward and porter did for me. I had been a ruined man, if I had trusted to them; but I came direct to your lordship, and you heard me. Now, if your lordship would but leave the Virgin Mary and St. Francis, who will do no more for your lordship than your lordship’s steward and porter would do for me, and just go direct to the Lord Jesus himself, and pray to Him for what you need, He will hear you; for He has said, ‘Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;’ and again, ‘Him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out.’ Will your lordship forgive me, and just try for yourself?”
It is said, that his lordship was struck with this simple argument, and that he afterward found―what a poor penitent sinner, trusting in Jesus, will always find pardon, peace, and salvation.