A FRIEND of ours, Mr. F—, was wintering abroad for his health. He had the blessing of souls at heart, and the service of his Master was dear to him.
His spare strength was employed in seeking out those to whom he might speak of Christ, and he soon came across Mr. S—, a dear old Christian who was glad of some one to sit beside him and commune of better things. On one occasion Mr. F―found him full of joy at the receipt of a letter from his son in Australia, which told of his recent, conversion. For this the aged father had long prayed, and he was deeply moved at this happy answer to his prayers. Mr. F—was able to tell him much about the neighborhood in which his son resided, having visited the country, and he promised that he would himself write to the son. This he did. He gave him news of his father and friends, and especially pointed out to him from Scripture the wonderful bond of union there is in Christ, which, though at a distance of twelve thousand miles, could draw hearts together.
Before many months had elapsed, dear old Mr. S―had departed to be with his Saviour; Mr. F― had left the country, and yet no answer had come from the absent son. A year later the following letter arrived, which is here transcribed in the hope that it may encourage others to pray for their unconverted relatives, whether far or near; to show, too, the help that a letter written to distant and often lonely Christians may be.
“DEAR FRIEND, — Your kind letter of 2nd March 1894 is before me while I write. The feelings I experienced on receipt of it were mixed, surprise and pleasure being uppermost—pleasure that a stranger should take such a kindly interest in my father, and surprise that the fact of my being a Christian should so interest that stranger, twelve thousand miles away, as to induce him to write to me in such a brotherly spirit to encourage me in my newfound joy. It made me think what a strong bond of love true brotherhood in Christ was, that it extends all round the world. It is not confined to the narrow limits of this place, but is universal.
“And how have I returned your confidence and kindness? By not answering your letter.
“This is scarcely what you would be led to expect from one who professes to do the will of God. I will not make any excuses, as I feel I should only be insulting you and Jesus, whom I have learned to love. He knows my heart, I cannot deceive Him. I have asked God to forgive me, and I now ask your forgiveness for His sake.
“Reading your letter has made me think how careful a Christian should be to lead a consistent life. On the strength of my letter to my father you take it for granted that what I stated therein was true, hence your letter to me, and I, while praying God to help me to lead a life in accordance with my profession as a Christian, am guilty of the very sin I have been struggling most against—inconsistency—by not answering your letter.... I am no scholar, but I feel that you, having Jesus in your heart, will be able to understand me....
“Since receiving your letter my dear old father has gone to join my mother—their spirits are with the Lord, where they are waiting for me. It is such a pleasure to me now that I was able to tell him before he died that I had accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, that I had been born again, and that their prayers for me had been answered. I know it was a comfort to him to know that their children had begun to come into Christ’s fold. God will answer true and faithful prayer, and I believe it is only a matter of time before my brothers and sisters will be converted. God in His mercy has taken father and mother, but has left me to pray for them. Will you, dear friend, join your prayers to mine for them, that they may soon be led to accept Christ, and for myself that I may be kept in the simple faith of Jesus Christ? I am so glad that I know that Jesus is mine and I am His forever, for He says, ‘None shall pluck them out of My hand.’ I tell you it’s a grand feeling to feel quite safe as to the future. I used not to like to think of eternity, and if it came across my mind I used to dismiss it as quickly as possible, but now things are different, and I have lost all that uneasy feeling about death. I know now that if Jesus should come tonight, my wife and I would be glad to welcome our Saviour. Yes! my wife is also a Christian now. She was always a good woman as the world calls good, but she was an honest unbeliever, I mean a skeptic. You would be surprised how many young colonials, if not altogether skeptical, in their hearts look upon religion in the same way as they look upon socialism. There is none of the reverence we find in the old country. Such was my wife, but now by the grace of God she too has come to acknowledge Jesus Christ as her Saviour and Master. I may tell you one day how it happened. God’s ways are wonderful. People say miracles do not happen nowadays—well, perhaps not; but I know in my short experience of Christian life, we have had some remarkable answers to prayer. I suppose the world would call it a coincidence.
“Dear friend, I must thank you most sincerely for your kindness to my father. I may never be able to thank you personally, but I can pray for you.
“I must tell you something about ourselves....
We have more than enough... but we have something far above all earthly riches, an indisputable title to eternity with Jesus Christ.... May God bless and keep us. — Yours in Christ,
J. S.
Here ends this interesting letter, which shows how God by His Spirit can lead His children into the enjoyment of the blessings of the gospel wherever they may be found. “He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:1414He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:14)). M. F. C.