One day while walking in the park, I saw near the gatehouse a woman wandering aimlessly, it seemed to me, among the shrubbery. As I drew near the expression on her face told of sorrow and trouble.
After a little casual conversation with her, I asked her if she was saved. She replied that she was not; but she desired greatly to find peace, and for a long time had been in real distress about her soul.
We went together into the gatehouse where she lived. There I told her as simply as possible of God's great love, and put before her the way of salvation He has provided through the death of His Son on the cross, of His resurrection from the dead, and of His ascension to glory. By God's grace she accepted the truth eagerly, and after a short time was led to trust the Lord Jesus as her own personal Savior.
When I saw her again, she told me that shortly after our conversation a man had come and hired a boat for fishing parties and to row visitors to the park around the little lake.
"He gets his meals with me," she said, "but I do not like it. He is an unbeliever, and I do not as yet know how to answer his questions.”
I advised her not to try to do so, butt to leave him with God. I knew that, no matter how firm he seemed to be in his opinions, they would not support him in the presence of God.
Later this man gave up his park employment and went with his wife to live in another city.
I was unable to see the gate-keeper for some time, but I sent a Christian friend with a letter to her from myself. In this letter I told the story of Lord Roden and enclosed a copy of the short poem which he kept fastened to his library chimneypiece. This is what I wrote:
"It was observed that a friend who often came to see his lordship always walked across the room and read the verse—
'In peace let me resign my breath,
And Thy salvation see;
My sins deserved eternal death,
But Jesus died for me.'
"Lord Roden remarked to his friend: 'You seem to enjoy my little poem.'
"'Yes,' said he, 'it has done me good, and the Lord has used it to the salvation of my soul.'”
In my letter to my friend in the park I quoted this verse. Having read my letter, the gate-keeper told my letter-bearer of the infidel of whom she had told me on my former visit. She added: "I have just received a letter from the man's wife. She says that her husband is dying and in great agony about his soul. He feels he is lost and cries out, 'Oh for some one to show me what to do!' Now what do you think of my sending the letter you brought, and its little poem, to him?”
This was agreed upon, and the letter was mailed that evening.
The next day, as the sick man lay in despair, he heard the postman's knock. "Oh," said he, "perhaps something will come that will do me good. If it is a letter, get it quickly and read it to me.”
His wife lost no time. She opened the letter and read it aloud, slowly and distinctly. As she came to the words of the poem,
"In peace let me resign my breath,
And Thy salvation see;
My sins deserved eternal death
But Jesus died for me,”
he called out, "Stop! I have just what I want,—
" 'My sins deserve eternal death
But Jesus died for me.'”
His wife is happy now in the knowledge that he died fully trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul.
Beloved reader, God's ways are wonderful. He has used the printed truth in a little four-lined verse for the eternal blessing of several persons. Will you believe its message now, and receive the Savior who died for you?