I T was a fine summer's day when I was told that a youth in a neighboring town was dying of consumption. I took an early opportunity of visiting him.
I found him seated by a table. A pillow was laid upon it; and, with his arms folded and his head resting upon them, he thought his breathing was easier in that position.
On my entrance he looked up. Disease had made sad inroads in a countenance once handsome and intelligent. My attention was arrested by an indescribable expression about his eyes; there was a bold, self-willed character before me.
I addressed him somewhat abruptly: "You are very ill, my lad, and with little prospect of ever getting better.”
His reply was, “You are plain spoken, at any rate.”
I paused for a moment, when I added, “Do you know, in the event of your death, where you will go?”
He immediately answered, “I expect, to heaven.”
I asked him the grounds of his confidence.
He gave me them readily: “I never injured anybody. I have always done right between man and man; and the master I worked for would give me a character any day.”
His eyes kindled as he spoke, and he looked a sort of defiance.
After a short pause I proceeded to urge him for further reasons for his hopes. He gave them pretty fully; but they were briefly summed up in the fact that he had injured no one, neither stolen nor lied, and he did not know why he should fear.
I scrutinized his features, and there was unbending decision of purpose. I rose from my seat, as if taking my leave, and said to him,
“My poor lad, I am very sorry for you; for though there is unspeakable comfort in the gospel, blessed joy for those interested in it; yet it is not for such as you.”
He said to me angrily, “What do you mean?”
I replied, “The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; and, from your own account, you are not one.
You are seeking to stand before God in the strength of your own character, and it will utterly fail you. If you were honest and truehearted, you would admit that your conscience accuses you; and that to stifle its cries you are seeking to prop up a character for goodness, which, so far from serving you, will only shut you out of the blessing the gospel propounds.
As a sinner God presents mercy and forgiveness to you through faith in Jesus. As having nothing to fear, what want you with the Saviour? My poor lad," I proceeded," hide not your necessity from yourself; you cannot from God. Be open and honest; unburden your heart. Seek to tell the worst you know about yourself; spread it all out before Him, and plead that for such as you really are Christ died.”
As I spoke his countenance lighted up with intelligence. He had evidently understood my meaning. He stretched out his hand, and exclaimed with some energy, “I’ve been a rare fool! You have letten t'leet into me. (You have let the light into me.) Now leave me alone a bit, and be sure and come again soon.”
I left him with confidence and hope. His case then called for sympathy and prayer; before long, for thanksgiving and praise. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God was revealed to him in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:66For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)). 2CO 4:66For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) His conscience was purged through faith in the blood shed upon the cross (Rom. 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)). ROM 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)He saw himself a lost sinner; God gave him to see that Jesus died for such.
Poor fellow! the little time he was spared was hallowed indeed. He spoke of his Saviour with raptures'; of his great need of Him, and of the grace that found him. I saw him one morning after a restless night. He was sitting on his bed gasping for breath; yet his spirit was tranquil and calm "know," he said, "Jesus died for me.”
JOHN WILLANS.