"Do not say God loves me. He does not. The only friend I had in the world died three months ago, and I am left alone. If God loved or cared for me, how could He treat me so!"
The words were spoken in an impassioned tone by a young lady dressed in deep mourning, whom I found seated on a grave. She seemed to be oblivious to all around, absorbed in her grief and weeping bitterly.
Death had suddenly taken from her the father on whom she had leaned, and who had tenderly watched over her since a child, when she was bereft of her mother. Now she was alone in the world—that world which had petted and flattered her in the days of her prosperity, but now in her adversity, no longer knew her. Knowing the deep trials she had passed through, and hoping that some word of Gospel grace might reach her aching heart, I quietly approached the place where she sat, and after a few words of condolence and reference to her departed parent whom I had known in business, I spoke of the love of God in the gift of His Son,
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.
And the peace that comes to the heart in receiving Him.
"As many as received Him, to them gave
He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name"' John 1:12.
And reposing on His precious blood alone for salvation. She listened quietly while I spoke, but soon manifested she had no knowledge of such a God, by the words she uttered as quoted above.
I could say little more, but gave her a kind invitation to some special meetings which were being conducted near to where she resided by an earnest evangelist, whose ministry God was richly blessing in the salvation of sinners. I could only lift up my heart to God and ask that He might reveal His love as manifested in the Cross to this despondent and sorrow-stricken one —for I knew that nothing short of Christ and a knowledge of God, could remove her burden.
On the following Sunday evening, to my joy, I saw her enter in the company of one who had been converted at the meetings. The fresh and fragrant words of John 3:16, were the subject of that evening's address. She listened with marked attention to the Word all the time. At the close, a hymn was sung with great fervor, the lines,
"I know not why I only cry,
O how He loves me."
being repeated until they had a wonderful power over the people. At the close, the bereaved girl laid hold on her companion's arm saying,
"I see it now: the love of God in the Cross, O how He loves me."
The new peace filled her heart.