Elsie Craig was an invalid, who lived in a cottage on a lonely moor in Scotland. Many persons visited Elsie, to comfort her in her affliction. She could not answer the door herself, so when any one tapped it was her custom to ask, "Wha's there?" and if the visitor was one whom she wished to see, she would say, "Open the door yersel', and come in by." Very few were allowed to stand long at Elsie's door, and fewer still to go away without admittance.
There was, however, one person who frequently called, but who was never once asked to open the door and come in. That person was the minister. It was not that Elsie had any special hatred for the man: she spoke a great deal of religion, and even said many fine things to others about Mr. Scott; yet she shunned meeting with him. She never bade him come in, and of course he would not enter poor Elsie's cottage without leave. Again and again he called, but with no success. He only heard the "Wha's there?" and then a deep silence; so he always turned and left.
Mr. Scott had frequently thought of giving up visiting Elsie; but his desire for her salvation constrained him to continue.
One Saturday evening, while returning across the moor, he turned aside from the path to call on Elsie once more. The clock had struck ten ere he reached the door; but he had scarcely tapped when the accustomed "Wha's there?" fell upon his ear.
"Yer ain minister, Elsie," was the affectionate reply.
There was silence, and Mr. Scott was preparing to depart, when new words reached him: "Weel, sir, I'll keep ye out nae mair; just open the door yersel', and come in.”
Gladly he opened the door, and took his seat close by the frail little woman. He spoke kind words to her. He spoke of the loving and patient Jesus, who "bare our sins in His own body on the tree," and who by the "sacrifice of Himself put away sin." He toki her, too, how long this Jesus had stood at the door of her heart, how He was still waiting for her soul, and would come in even now if she would ask Him.
As Mr. Scott spoke of Jesus and His quenchless love, the tears began to run down over the wan cheeks and Elsie said in her heart, "I will let Him in." Mr. Scott prayed and departed, and Elsie was left alone.
During the long sleepless night which followed poor Elsie thought of the loving Jesus standing at the door of her sinful heart, and she wept again. Yes, she wept, and prayed. Nor did she pray in vain: One came to her, in the dark lonely night, and spoke with her; and when the sun rose in the morning and peeped in at the little window, Elsie woke with a heart at peace with God. She had been to Jesus, and He had washed away all her sins and taken up His abode in her heart.
She was anxious to read the Scriptures, to make sure that what she had done was right. And there she found that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” She believed on the Son; therefore she had everlasting life. She wept again—but this time it was for joy that Christ was hers and she was His.
Mr. Scott was now a welcome visitor at Elsie's cottage, and spent many happy hours talking with her about the great salvation.
One afternoon Elsie took hold of his hand in both of hers, and, looking up into his face, said, "Eh, sir, but it breaks my heart to think that I kept you out se lang. For the words ye ha'e spoken, and yer prayers, ha'e been baith meat and drink to my weary soul; may the dear Lord bless you! Noo, dinna ye rap ony mair, but just open the door and come whan ye like; for ye ken ye're aye richt welcome.”
Reader, have you let Jesus enter your heart? If you have, are you not ready to say what Elsie Craig said of her minister, that it breaks your heart to think you kept Him out so long?
But if you have not allowed the Lord Jesus to enter your heart, know that He is even now knocking for admission; that He has called again, it may be for the last time, to see if you will admit Him to "sup with you.” Have you not often heard His knock? Have you not often wished He did not knock so loudly? Ah! the day may come when you will wish you could once more hear His footfall—could hear His voice saying, "Open unto Me." That day is steadily approaching, if you continue indifferent. For Jesus will not always stand waiting for your soul, but will lemie you in silence and alone to all the consequences of your sin.
Jesus has come to you in the night of calamity and said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee." In the hour of sorrow He has visited you, to pour the balm of sympathy into your wounded heart. In the season of fierce temptation He stood on your right hand, ready to subdue the tempter. He has followed you these many years, and sought you in many ways. But: you did not answer—
"Take Thou my heart, and let it be
Forever closed to all but Thee.”
And Jesus will never enter till you let Him. Business, folly, or pleasure perhaps have filled your heart, while the Holy One and the Just has had to stand at the door.
Yes, reader, Jesus knocks and says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”
"Admit Him, for the human breast
Ne'er entertained so kind a guest,
No mortal tongue their joys can tell
With whom He condescends to dwell.”