"Have you seen Brown today? I don't think he can last much longer." The question was addressed to a lady missionary by an orderly in a military hospital in India some years ago.
Brown was a young Highlander who had been ill for months. When the missionary went to his ward, she found him alone. Sitting by his bedside she talked a little about his illness and asked if he had any relatives who might come and see him.
"No," he answered, "I have no near relatives. I am alone in the world and I don't think there is a living soul who cares whether I live or die."
"Oh, but there is One," the lady replied: "the Lord Jesus cares, and loves you very much. Is He with you now?"
"No, indeed He is not."
With those sad, hungry eyes fixed upon her, the missionary told him how the great tender heart of the Savior yearned to save, forgive and comfort. She pleaded with him to turn to Jesus in his loneliness.
The next day when she visited Brown again he said: "I did pray to God last night, but I don't feel any better. Will you read and pray with me?" This she did and again endeavored to tell him simply the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
The day following she found Brown with a peaceful, satisfied look on his face, and at once inquired:
"Is it all well? Is it all peace today?"
"Yes," he answered brightly, "It is all settled."
"You are not lonely any longer? Is the Lord Jesus with you now?"
"Yes," he replied, "He is with me always."
After this he eagerly looked for his kind visitor every day and always asked her to read and pray with him. No longer did she find him lonely, for the presence of the Lord Jesus filled his heart.
The day before he died, as she read and prayed with him for the last time, she asked if there was anything special he wanted?
"Yes," he replied, "I would like to go home."
"To Scotland?"
"Oh, no! Home to the Lord Jesus."
Very early the next morning his request was granted as the Lord Jesus welcomed him home to be with Him forever.