AT some distance from Paris there lived, not long since, a young lady who had very often in her heart, as well as on her lips, the above words. Miss L-had tried in many ways to solve the question, but she had used only earthly means, and was at length forced to own that she had found no lasting satisfaction in anything. From a mere child she had been reaching after something more than her life here gave her, only to prove, as many others have proved, that all the pleasures and pursuits of this world were unable to satisfy her; for the human heart is too large for anything "under the sun" to fill it.
With an active, intelligent mind, eager for knowledge, Miss L— had studied many things far beyond the range of most ladies' researches, and whilst those of her studies which in any way touched upon the subject of divine wisdom only led her to a profound conviction of the wonderful power of God, yet they left her utterly ignorant of His grace. God preserved her from being influenced by the infidel opinions that abound in many French and German writers on scientific subjects; indeed, she has often owned that nothing but His own power could have sheltered her from this terrible danger, to which she was so exposed.
But though the path of literature was well trodden and much loved by her, she found that the fountain of peace was not there. Satisfaction she was ever yearning after, and she turned to find it, if it might be, in the study of the fine arts. She would travel miles to visit a famous sculpture or painting, was acquainted with most of the old masters, and knew in which particular galleries of the palaces of Rome their great works were to be found. As soon, however, as she found that she had distanced most of her acquaintances in knowledge of a subject, it lost its charm for her, and she turned to some other.
But it was always the same story of disappointment, and sometimes when alone she would sob in sheer weariness of the life of gaiety or study, that never for one day gave her what she wanted. Miss L—knew better than many the sources of this world's delights; she had drunk of them in the glittering, crowded ball-room, in the luxurious concert halls of one of the gavest cities of Europe, in the scientific discussions of the clever speakers of the day, and had fully proved that over all the fountains of this world are inscribed the words, "He that drinketh of this water shall thirst again.”
So far we have described the dark side of her story; now for the bright. In the midst of the whirl of pleasure and gaiety, a heavy family bereavement fell upon her; all parties were given up; Miss L— was left much alone. An unknown friend induced her to read the New Testament, and to her surprise she found in that book the answer to her oft-repeated question, "Shall I ever be satisfied?" She was led to see her lost state, and to confess that nothing but God's salvation could stay the longing of her heart.
At first the words of the Scriptures, to her so strange, so wonderful, seemed too good to be true; but as she read how God Himself had planned the great redemption, and learned His tender pity and boundless love, her very-heart was bowed down in prayer, that He would teach her to trust all she was to Him.
The Lord never turns away from one soul who truly seeks Him. Very soon, as Miss L— read on and on, in what had hitherto been a sealed book to her, she laid it aside again and again, to kneel, and with a rapture too deep for words, to pour out her soul in adoration and praise for the grace and love that she saw in the Lord Jesus. Simply believing in Him she knew herself saved, and no words could express the joy of her heart.
After the long years of unrest it was so grand, so surpassingly wonderful, to find perfect peace, that it seemed almost more than she could bear. It was a new world to her, a new life, and as she bade farewell forever to the brilliant scenes once so familiar, she left them without one regret. She had now found a perfect object for her heart; far beyond the highest ideal she had ever formed was this precious reality; and her whole life was to be His henceforth. Of course she met with ridicule and persecution, but this only sent her to the Lord in prayer, and in the peace of His presence every trial became bright.
Years have passed, years only showing more of the inexhaustible treasure given to her by God. As she walks down here with the knowledge that she belongs forever and forever to His Son, she learns something, too, of the radiancy of that glory in the face of Jesus Christ, which floods with its own light and warmth the whole pathway of all who trust themselves to Him.
Dear reader, do you know this perfect peace, this "love which passeth knowledge?" God Himself can do no more for you than He has done. He has given His only Son to die for sinners. He offers you a free, full salvation; what are you doing with His offered gift? Oh, take it ere it be too late, and having accepted it, praise Him for His wonderful love. L. T.