WHILST riding through some pretty woodlands I came to a farm. Being thirsty, I dismounted, and asked at the house for a glass of milk.
On entering I was pleased to see several texts and scripture almanacs hanging on the walls.
“Surely,” I thought, “these people must be children of God, having texts hung upon the walls.”
Having drunk the milk, I stepped across the room to where this portion of scripture was hung: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Placing my finger on the word “sinners,” I said to the woman who had supplied me with the milk—
“Can you read this scripture, and instead of saying ‘sinners,’ say ‘me’?”
She looked at me with surprise, and said—
“What do you mean?” I repeated my words: “Can you say ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save me’?” and awaited the answer.
How solemn! the word of God on the walls of the house, but no entrance into the heart.
The woman’s answer came at last; it was a slow decided “No.”
It seemed that such a thought had never entered her mind before.
After a few words more I left her, hoping that God might use that simple pointed question to show her her need. Like too many others, she could read the words, but had left out the application of them to her own soul.