It was the close of a summer’s evening in 1917; and the sun was sinking in the west, when, in passing a “shelter,” at a well-known seaside resort on the south coast, I noticed a lady sitting alone, and felt led to offer her a “Message from God”; which she accepted. There I thought the incident had closed: but God, Who delights in mercy, had purposes of grace: and nothing is lost, we know, if done for His glory.
On the following Monday, in passing that “shelter,” I saw the same lady, sitting in the same seat: and, in an undertone remarked, Hope I did not offend you, by offering you that tract on Saturday to which she at once replied, ‘Oh! no; I should much like to have a talk with you.’ The “shelter” being full, she suggested our going round to her apartments, adding, ‘It will be more quiet there.’ I gladly assented, feeling sure that God’s Spirit had already begun a good work in her soul. She was evidently in earnest, so I proposed that we should wait on God in prayer, that we might have His blessing on what might be said.
On rising from our knees, I read to her those well-known verses Acts 13:38, 39: “Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” A long conversation followed, wherein I sought by God’s Spirit to press home upon her heart and conscience her own deep need, and the glorious truths unfolded in the above two verses.
She was now intensely anxious about her soul, so I suggested our meeting again the next day. Something hindered her coming, but we met on the Wednesday, and I found her still more anxious. A further interview was appointed for Thursday. That morning, however, turned out wet; and the “shelter” being empty, I proceeded to her apartments. To my astonishment and joy, I no sooner entered the room than, with a beaming face, she sprang from her seat, exclaiming in fervent tones, ‘I’ve got it; I’ve got it.’
‘What have you got?’ I said.
‘Peace with God; peace with God,’ was her prompt reply.
‘What about your sins?’
‘They are all forgiven and forgotten,’ was her quiet answer.
The tears started to my eyes, as I said, ‘Let us together thank God for His wondrous grace.’ Need I say, there was joy in both our hearts, joy in the presence of God’s angels, joy in God’s own heart. One more brand had been “plucked from the fire”; and one more jewel added to the Saviour’s crown of glory! We had now, after that morning, many sweet talks of Jesus.
In the course of a few days, however, a lull came in her joy and something clouded her peace probably the discovery that she was not sinless, although she was resting in Christ, and on His finished work at Calvary’s cross. This led me to speak to her from 1 John 2:1, of the present advocacy of Christ, as One Who, having died for our sins, now lives for us; intercedes for us, and has made Himself responsible to bring us safely through every difficulty, trial, or failure, till we reach our heavenly home. Her peace and joy came back; and, when we parted, a few days after, she was bright and happy.
I never saw her again, though several letters passed between us, but I know we shall meet “in the air,” when the Lord Himself shall come to receive us unto Himself; and, in bodies, raised and changed, all the blood-bought ones shall be “caught up” together. Then shall we hear His welcome voice; behold Him face to face; and be with Him, and like Him, through God’s eternal day. In less than eight months after her conversion, my friend fell asleep in Jesus at a “nursing home”; where she witnessed a good confession to the grace that had sought and found her; and for five weeks before her death, her joy was boundless.
My dear reader, may I ask you, ‘Have you yourself “got” this perfect peace with God? Can you sing those glorious words:
“Lord, while our souls in faith repose
Upon Thy precious blood,
Peace like an even river flows,
And mercy like a flood”?’
If not, let me beseech you most earnestly to take your place now, as a poor, lost, guilty sinner, at the feet of Jesus, and prove the truth of His own words, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
S. T.