WE were living in the outskirts of a country town in one of the Midland counties, when we first became acquainted with Maggie S—. She made her home with a widowed aunt whilst attending school as a day pupil, her father having died suddenly, leaving a large family.
I had been asked to visit the aunt by one who had known her husband. I felt some hesitation as to this, not knowing how far I might be welcome; for how could I visit the widow and fatherless, without speaking of Him who is the God of the widow and the Father of the fatherless? and telling of the love that had been made known to and believed in by our own hearts, in that " God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In His strength I made the call, and, whilst speaking words of kindness and sympathy, I told of the grace that had called us “out of darkness into his marvelous light." This at once brought a dullness over the conversation, and not only at that time, but as further occasions opened up, there was the merest assent to anything said on this subject.
I hoped that Maggie might hear and receive the glad tidings of a Savior's love, if only spoken to alone and personally, so invited her to our house at various times, talked with her, and gave her little books; but alas! the natural heart in Maggie declared its hopelessly lost condition, in marked indifference to, and rejection of, the dying love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In course of time the aunt married again, and both left the neighborhood and were lost sight of. Some time afterward I was one morning leaving home by train, when who should accost me at the station but Maggie. She had grown almost into womanhood, and I did not at first recognize her. She and a cousin had been staying a day or two with some old friends. They entered the same carriage as myself, and we found ourselves the only occupants. It was not long before I gave them some Gospel books, and once again spoke earnestly of the blessedness and importance of being saved, and entreated them now to receive Christ as their Savior. Just then a station was reached where we had to part, and without any apparent interest being evinced in what had been said.
More than a year after this I was staying from home in a large town, when a letter was forwarded to me in a strange writing. It was long, and I at once turned to see the signature, and to my surprise I found it was from Maggie. It ran thus:—" I have thought many times of writing to you, but one thing and another has prevented me. I rejoice to tell you, and I am sure you will be pleased to hear, that I have received the Lord Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer. I was convicted of sin about fourteen months ago. I felt very anxious for a long time, until I read a little book, Christ Jesus only,' which showed me so plainly the precious blood of Jesus to wash away my sins. I came to Jesus as I was, and my sins were washed away, and He freely forgave me all, and gave me the precious gift of His Holy Spirit, and peace and joy in believing. I had been very ill before. Now I can thank God for it, since then I have known nothing but love. Many times I have been sadly tempted by the evil one, but God has given me grace to withstand him. My earnest desire now is to grow in grace, and to bring other weary souls to the feet of my blessed Savior and Master. I see my own weakness, but we are like the branches, we cannot grow unless we abide in the vine. My younger sister and brother are converted. We have had a great loss in the death of our dear mother. She passed away after years of extreme and patient suffering. She rejoiced in finding peace through the blood of Jesus a few weeks before she left us. Our home has been broken up, and now we are all scattered. God has been indeed a Father to us orphans. He has never left us. I shall anxiously wait for a letter from you. I thank you very much for speaking to me about my soul. You are the only one who ever did so; be not discouraged to speak to everyone. I ask your prayers that I may daily grow in grace.”
The letter also gave the address of the house where she was in a situation, and a request was added for some books to be sent her like those I used to give her. The situation proved to be in the very town where I was then staying. I called to see her the same day, to our mutual pleasure, and during my visit I had many little seasons of fellowship with herself and sister.
And now, dear reader, is Maggie's Savior yours?
May the Lord Himself open your eyes, if unsaved, to see your need, and your ears to hear His voice, and your heart to believe in Christ as your Savior, and the One to satisfy its deepest longings.
L.