ONE day, as a pastor on the continent was preaching, a very old woman was seen on her knees counting her beads instead of paying attention. A lady asked her if she understood what the preacher had been saying. “Oh, no, my lady. This gentleman speaks German, and I speak French.” “Come with me,” said the lady, “we will talk together. You seem very tired.” “Oh, yes, I am. I have already walked six miles today, and I have twelve more to accomplish the penance of this day. It is hard at my age.” “How old are you?” “I am ninety-two. This is the fiftieth time I have undertaken a pilgrimage to Nôtre Dame, where I am going. Oh, I am a great sinner! I have a great many sins to reproach myself with and the more I advance in years, the more I discover some which I have not seen before. I was told that.to deserve forgiveness I was to do penance and undertake pilgrimages. I think this is the last time I shall be enabled to perform this journey. I hope I shall obtain forgiveness. But, alas! if I don’t I am a lost woman!” The lady replied, “You seem agitated; calm yourself, I pray you, and listen to what I am going to tell you. Can you read?” “Yes, Madam.” “Then be so kind as to read these words.” Then the old woman read in the New Testament, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” “And when Jesus had taken the vinegar, He said, IT IS FINISHED!” Then the lady proved to her that man cannot in any way save himself, but that Jesus gives His salvation. Every word went home to the heart of the old woman she seemed beyond herself at the thought of that FREE GIFT. Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).
All at once she got up, went in a hurry to the fireplace, and threw into the flames the beads she had in her hands. “It is done! it is done!” cried she, “my sins are forgiven me Jesus has saved me! I will set out again, but it is not to go to Notre Dame des Ermites. I will go home, to say to all my neighbors that it is Jesus, and Jesus alone, who has saved the old sinner!”