A PREACHER of the gospel was one day telling the story of Jesus and His love, when he noticed an old man weeping as he listened. At the end of the service, he stepped up to him and said, "My friend, I saw you weeping during the service. If I am not mistaken you are a Jew."
"You are not mistaken," was the answer.
"How comes it then," asked the preacher, "that a Jew attends a Christian meeting?"
"I shall be glad to tell you, but, allow me to go home with you."
The preacher at once invited the old man to be his guest for the evening, When they were made comfortable in the preacher's home, the guest told the following story.
"I have just lately come over to America from Europe, with my seventeen-year-old daughter. My wife died shortly before we left Europe, and since then I have known no pleasure except the companionship of my dear daughter. I was a devout worshiper in the Jewish faith and trained my child diligently in it too.
"But even this pleasure did not last long. My daughter took very ill, and I knew that I was going to lose her, I tried often to read to her, but I could not speak a single word; I could only weep. One day, she seemed more weak than usual, and she called me to her side.
" 'My Father, do you love me?'
" 'Rachel, you know that I love you. You are dearer to me than the whole world.'
" 'But, Father, do you really love me?'
" 'Have I not shown you many proofs of my love?'
" 'I know, Father, you have always loved me. You have been the kindest father, and I love you dearly. Will you do one thing for me? Oh, my Father. it is the request of your dying daughter,—will you grant it?'
" 'My dear child, ask what you will if it should cost me my whole fortune, whatever it may be, it shall be granted.'
" 'Please, then, my dear Father, never again speak against Jesus of Nazareth.’
"These words broke me down. After a few minutes of painful silence she went on, 'I know only a little of this Jesus, but I know that He is a Saviour, for He has revealed Himself to me since I have been sick, and I am going to be with Him forever. Now, Father, do not refuse my request; get a Testament that tells of Jesus Christ. I pray that you may learn. to know Him, and that when I am gone you will give Him the love that you would have given rue.'
"She seemed completely exhausted, and in a very short time she passed away.
"Soon after I bought a New Testament and read it with many prayers. I too found the Lord. Jesus as my Saviour and now I am His possession forever."
Messages of God’s Love 9/18/1949