One day, while walking in a park, I saw a woman wandering in the shrubbery in a curious, aimless way.
As I drew near she came towards me and after a little talk with her, for she seemed to be in trouble, I asked her if she was saved. She replied that she was not but that she desired it greatly and for a long time had been in great trouble about her soul.
God's great love was put before her and the way of salvation He has provided through the death of His Son on the cross, His resurrection and ascension to glory.
By God's grace she grasped the truth eagerly and after a short time was led to trust the Lord Jesus as her own personal Savior.
When I saw her again she told me that after she was converted a man came and hired the lake for fishing, and for rowing the people about who visited the park, and she said, "He gets his meals with me, but I do not like it, for he is an unbeliever, and I do not as yet know how to answer his questions.”
I advised her not to try to do so, for I told her that no matter how firm he seemed to be in his opinions they would not support him when he came to die.
Later the man gave up his employment and went with his wife to live in B. Not being able to call on the woman for some time, I sent a Christian friend with a letter from myself. In this letter I told her the story of Lord Roden and the short poem written on paper and pinned on his library chimney piece.
The incident was as follows:
A friend who often came to see his lordship was observed to walk across the room every time and read the verse,
"In peace let me resign my breath
And Thy salvation see,
My sins deserve eternal death
But Jesus died for me.”
Lord Roden remarked to his friend,
"You seem to enjoy my little poem?”
"Yes," said he, "it has done me good, and has been used to my salvation.”
In my letter to the poor woman I quoted this. Having read my letter, the gatekeeper spoke to my friend of the infidel of whom she had told me on my former visit and remarked: "I have just received a letter from the man's wife to say that her husband is dying and in great agony about his soul. He feels he is lost and says, `O for someone to show me what to do.' "
The woman said to my friend,
"Suppose we send him Miss C's. letter?”
This was agreed upon, and the letter was dispatched as soon as possible that evening.
The next day, as the poor man lay in despair, suddenly the postman knocked.
"O," said he, "perhaps something is coming that will do me good! Get the letter quickly and read it to me.”
His wife lost no time, and the letter was read slowly and emphatically by her to him, and as she came to the words,
"In peace let me resign my breath
And Thy salvation see,
My sins deserve eternal death,
But Jesus died for me.”
he called aloud,
"Stop, I have all I want,”
"My sins deserve eternal death,
But Jesus died for me.”
He fully trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul.
Beloved reader. God's ways are wonderful. He used the feeble instrumentality of a little stanza for the eternal blessing of several persons.