It was my birthday. We were not used to getting expensive gifts, for our parents were poor. But our dear godly Mother always gave us a little remembrance on our birthday. This time she gave me a neat little pocket Testament, with a bright new quarter made the same year. It looked as if it had just newly left the mint.
“Read the Testament every day,” she said, “and it will guide you aright. Keep yourself from bad company if you would be clean and bright as that new quarter is.” Dear Mother was a Christian, having believed the gospel many years ago, but though I had professed to be saved for several years, it was only a profession. I had not really been born again; I did not love the Saviour. I kissed Mother, thanked her for the presents, and started off to let some of my friends see the quarter—not the Testament, for they would have laughed at me. Away down the street I met two boys who said they were going to have a game of cards in a small room behind a confectioner’s shop. When they saw my quarter they seemed especially anxious that I should join them, saying that I would be sure to win.
Foolishly I went along, and soon lost my new quarter. When we came out, they ran off and left me, and I stood wondering what I should do. I knew my mother would be greatly grieved if she knew what I had done. I resolved to cover my sin by saying I had lost it. This I did, but oh the misery! I could not sleep. In the night I got up, knocked at Mother’s door, and told her all the truth.
Mother drew me to her side, knelt beside me, confessed to God my sin, and asked Him to save me if I was not His child. I prayed too. That was the turning point in my life. I knew the gospel before, but I had it in my head. Now I received it into my heart, and was truly born of God. Years have gone by; the Lord has kept me, blessed me and guided me, and I look forward to His coming to receive His own to Himself.
ML 01/24/1965