CAN anything make affliction light? The heathen, the infidel, the rationalist can but scoff at the idea, or confess it to be to them an unsolved mystery. The very word “affliction” conveys with it the thought of heavy and burdensome sorrow. Yet there is truth in the statement that affliction can be light, and the Christian, with the unerring word of God for his guide, knows where to find the explanation of the mystery, and, if he be living in communion with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, he realizes in his own soul its blessedness as a fact.
On a bed in the infirmary of one of our London workhouses lies a poor woman, named Matilda Smart, in grievous suffering. So weak is she that for nearly four years she has not stood upright; indeed, for more than half that time she has not stood at all. Though, as to age, in the prime of life, her pale, sunken cheeks and emaciated form chew that premature decay has set in. Some months ago my attention was drawn to her by the nurse of the ward, who said, “I wish you would speak to that poor thing, and give her a bit of comfort, if you can. I am sure she needs it as much as anybody.” With this somewhat peculiar introduction I sat down by the bedside of Matilda Smart, to whom I then spoke for the first time. She had no hesitation in giving me a full description of her bodily infirmities, and dwelt very much on the excessive pain that she endured every morning when lifted from her bed; but when I spoke to her of her soul, and of the love of the Lord Jesus in dying for sinners, she became very reserved, and was unwilling to express her thoughts.
On my next visit I found that she had been thinking very much of what she had heard, for, with tears in her eyes, she said, “I do try to believe. I try as hard as I can, but it seems as if I could not believe in Jesus!” This she repeated over and over again, and it would, indeed, have been sad to sit by her and listen to her sorrowful utterances had it not been for the hope that the Holy Ghost was already working in her heart. Matilda was too weak to hold a bible in her hand, but had just enough strength to keep the gospels of Matthew and John, separately bound; before her eyes. Sometimes she could only read a verse or two at a time. Then she would put the book down, think of what she had read, and take it up again when able. While thus anxious about her soul, she spent nearly the whole day in reading those two gospels, and during her sleepless nights her mind occupied itself with that which she had read during the day.
One day I found her usually sorrowful and pain-lined countenance beaming with smiles―her eyes actually sparkled―and she told me the joyful news that the Lord Jesus was her Saviour and her Friend. “I cannot doubt His word now,” she said. “He has told me about His love, and made me perfectly happy. Yes, I am happy now all day and all night. I scarcely feel my pain, although my sores are as bad as ever, and when they lift me out of bed I do not dread it at all, for the Lord helps me, and it seems to me that because He helps me it is almost pleasant. Everything seems so different, everybody is kind and gentle, and I have everything that I can want; besides, the Lord Jesus is with me every moment, and before long I shall see Him and be with Him!”
Is not this a precious testimony to the power of the grace of God? Truly His love “can sweeten every bitter cup,” and make the roughest places smooth. The nurse and the other inmates of the ward speak of Matilda’s patience and gratitude for every attention shown her, and any one who sees her serene expression of countenance, and knows not the secret of her joy, may well be puzzled to understand, how, in the midst of so much suffering, she can appear so contented. Has our reader within his own soul the secret of Matilda’s peace? Does he know the love of God? Can he, too, say, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?” (2 Cor. 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17).)
H. L. T.