It was a bright summer day, and the windows of the many wards in the large hospital were opened to let in the sweet air and sunlight. Many of the patients were walking in the pleasant wooded grounds surrounding the building; others were sitting at the open windows. Among those seated at the windows was a young girl about sixteen years of age, of very attractive appearance, but with the bright flush of disease very evident upon her cheeks. On this day her name had been called out to tell her that a visitor had come, but as Annie caught sight of the well-known face, she turned away, and hurriedly left the ward, refusing to see the visitor, who had entered the hospital at the request of Annie’s friends.
Soon after this the nurses and doctors spoke plainly to Annie, telling her that life was only a question of a few short months at most. She grew worse and worse, and at last was taken home to die.
But God, who is over all, had His own blessed purposes about the poor, proud girl—she who would turn away from anyone who spoke faithfully to her, was yet to be brought to a knowledge of His love, and to bow to Christ.
Annie reached her home in the country, and, contrary to all expectation, rallied so much that she was able to visit friends in the village. Among these were some earnest Christian people, who for many months had been praying to their gracious God and Father for her conversion.
Time went on. It was mid-winter when a young Christian visited Annie. She was struck with the frightened, appealing look in her large dark eyes, and yet there was a half-defiant expression, too, as though she thought she was again to be troubled with religious talk.
But her visitor came to tell of love so deep, so tender, so unceasing, that the hardest heart could scarcely hear of such love unmoved. A few minutes were spent in seeking to bring before Annie G. the blessed person of the holy Lord Jesus—God over all—and yet coming down in tender love and pity to seek and save the lost. Then her visitor left, with a prayer to Him who alone could save, that the words might be blessed.
The hand of God could now be seen working. One day Annie said to the young Christian, who again visited her, “I think no one in the village can be so wicked as I am,” adding, “I know only God could save me. I think of what you’ve said very often. I am never quiet by myself but I think of it, and something seems always to tell me, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’” And the calm, trustful, humble manner in which she spoke, made the heart of her friend hopeful.
Annie was led on, step by step, until at last she could rejoice in Christ, and sing, as she said, because she could not help it, she was so happy.
“Is it going home, Annie?” said her friend one day. A quiet, happy smile was the answer. To others she spoke of her readiness to go, and her peace at the approach of death. Yes, one more had been saved through “the blood of the Lamb.”