After this, Jonathan went away to school. He passed through the university, the darkness of which was never broken in upon by the Word of God. The impressions of his childhood gradually passed away, but he never lost a desire for the “Lost Paradise,” as he called it. The world yielded him no amusement, nor could his friends’ pleasures satisfy him. His only enjoyment was to take a walk in the forest alone with his own thoughts.
Jonathan studied medicine, and was soon known as a diligent scholar and man of great learning; this gave him some satisfaction. One day he was with an older doctor visiting patients at a hospital. They came to the bed of a woman who seemed to be very near her end. The older doctor looked at her for a moment, felt her pulse, and said, “I think you’ll be better soon”; then he left the poor sick one. She said nothing, but the look on her face spoke more than words could convey. This look met Jonathan’s eye, and went to his heart; his conscience was greatly troubled. As soon as the older doctor left the hospital, Jonathan went back to the woman who, although in great pain, was quiet and had folded her hands in prayer.
“Dear friend,” he said, “I just had to come back and tell you the truth before it is too late. It seems to me you have only a little while to live, so if you have anything to arrange before you leave this world, make haste. If I can do anything for you, I will help you as much as I can.”
The dying woman looked at him with gentleness and love; and said “Dear sir, I thank you, you are very kind. I feel I am near my end, and rejoice that I am going home, going to leave this world, and to be forever with Christ. But if you wish to do me a friendly service, get the book which you will find under my pillow, and read to me a little.”
Jonathan found the book; it was a New Testament with the Psalms. “What would you like to hear?” he asked.
“Read the 17th chapter of John, please.”
With deep interest and feeling, he did so, and it was as if he had never heard such words before. He looked at the patient; her soft eye was fixed on him with an expression of thankfulness, and heaven’s joy was in her face.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, “for this kind service. I will ask my Saviour to bless you. I am going to rest in my heavenly home, and I give you this book as a token of my gratitude. Remember our conversation. May the Saviour bless each word of it to your heart.”
She gave him the Testament, and he left her and returned home. He closed the door of his room and read from his Book, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:22My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2). This seemed to be the very language of his heart. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” said the Lord Jesus, and He made true His word.
In the dead of the night, deeper and deeper Jonathan searched into the precious Book, the holy Word of God. The Lord Jesus brings light out of darkness. The Spirit of God was taking a slow but certain way to accomplish a great work in his soul.
The next scene is a small chapel where many people are gathering. A solemn pause follows the singing of the first hymn, then in the midst of the people there arises a fine looking young man with black hair and dark complexion; with deep feeling, he utters the words, “Let us pray.” When his prayer is over, he reads a part of the 19th chapter of John, and when he comes to verse 30, “It is fished,” tears run down his cheeks; then with an earnest expression he repeats the words, “It is finished!” Yes, it is finished, through grace and love, praise be to God the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
It is Jonathan, who now carries the glad tidings of the Saviour’s love to poor souls sitting in darkness in the gloomy deserts of Africa.
ML 12/17/1967