SUCH were the words of a dear woman who had long been anxious about her―soul, but had been trying to work herself into a state of fitness for God, by her prayers, tears, and good thoughts. Recent bereavements had torn from her side those nearest and dearest to her,—first her husband, then her only son, a promising young man, the latter very suddenly, leaving her a widow, with an only daughter, a young woman some thirty years of age or nearly so. Laid low herself with paralysis, her sight almost gone, stricken down with grief, she longed for that rest and peace of soul of which she had often heard God’s children speak. One who had often spoken to her, in her palmier days, of the importance of making her “calling and election sure” was sent for, and found mother and daughter both prostrate with sorrow.
Thankful to find them in a frame of mind to listen to God’s message, their Christian friend sought to point out that the question of sin must be first raised before there could be rest and peace known in the soul, and that the mere fact of their being pressed down with grief and trial was no sign of a real genuine sense of sin, in the presence of a holy God. At the same time, feeling the truest sympathy with them in their deep sorrow, he spoke of that blessed Saviour whose tender heart of compassion still yearns over His erring creatures, left in this world of sin and suffering without a ray of hope as to the future of their immortal souls. With a word of prayer, that the Lord would begin a real work in their souls, their friend left them, feeling that, although there seemed a great desire to know the way of rest and peace, yet it was only the over-pressure of circumstances that was troubling them, and not the sense of being sinners unfit for God’s presence. This feeling was confirmed after subsequent visits; but still the word was spoken, in faith, that the Lord would reach them in His own time.
One day, having an hour or two to spare, the Christian already spoken of, G―, decided to pay a promised visit to an invalid Christian. Not being able to find the address, he was prevented from his object, and at once the widow and her daughter came before him; other things were thought of too, but feeling strangely pressed, he decided at once to go, although he had had no intention of going for a week or two at least. As soon as he arrived, the poor woman grasped him by the hand, and said, “Oh! G―, I have been praying for you to come; I looked for you all day on Sunday, but today I felt sure you would be coming. I don’t feel right; there is something awanting; I have prayed night and morning, and tried to think good thoughts, so that the Lord might have mercy on me. I try to believe, but I don’t seem to have the right kind of faith; I do want to be saved. I did so wish you would come, so that I might tell you my difficulties, I thought you would be sure to show me the right way.”
Glad at heart, and struck with the Lord’s tender grace in His haste to meet the anxious one’s deep need, G― spoke of Christ, and His willingness to save, ―His invitation of Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28), John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37), 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), &c. On quoting from and dwelling a little on John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24), the light broke in. In an instant her worried and anxious face changed to an expression of calm peace and tranquility, and her happy soul thus gave expression to its new found joy: “I’m all right now, I’m saved; the Word of God says it, and I believe it.” Turning to her daughter, she said, “Oh! E― dear, I am so glad the Lord has saved me; and now, dear, only trust Him, and you will be saved too. You have nothing to do for salvation; only come as a lost sinner to Jesus. You see how He has saved me, and oh! what a sinner I have been (she had been a most exemplary woman all her life); and now, dear E―, I can see what all our trouble and affliction has been for, it has been to bring us to the Lord; and oh! dear E―, just you decide at once this very night, for I don’t want to go to heaven without you, and I know the Lord will save you if you will only trust Him.”
Before G―left that night, he had the joy of seeing E―also deeply concerned about her soul, and of pointing her to the One who never turned the seeking soul away.
And now, dear reader, whoever you may be, if you are unsaved, it is Jesus you need; and to Him you must come, in all your guilt and misery, or peace, joy, and eternal life can never be yours. But one look to Him, in simple faith, will make you safe for all eternity. G.