"My dear Miss F., what would I not give if you could see that text as I do!”
"It is no use, Miss S.; I never can, and I never shall.”
The text alluded to was beautifully printed on white satin, and suspended near the dining-room door, so that any one leaving the room could scarcely avoid reading it.
Miss F. was a governess, and had recently obtained an engagement in the school kept by Miss S. By an unusual oversight she had not been asked one single question as to her religious opinions, and so found herself, although a Unitarian, and denying the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the house of a Christian, whose life and conversation were a bright testimony to all around, and above all, to each pupil in her school.
Poor Miss F. soon felt very much like a thief that had gone into the house unawares. Still, there was something sweet and bright about the place, and she did not wish to leave; and as the days passed on she became attached to the different members of the household, and though her conscience became more uneasy, her desire to remain increased.
At last an opportunity occurred to disclose the fact of her Unitarianism. A celebrated minister of that sect had recently lost his wife, and as she was a gifted writer, her death was the subject of an article in one of the papers, and this led to the following conversation;—
"Did you know her, Miss F.? she resided in your neighborhood," asked Miss S.
"Yes, we went to their chapel, and my brother's children were christened by her husband," replied Miss F., with a heart beating rapidly, for now, thought she, I shall have to go tomorrow' for certain!
"My dear, was your brother a Unitarian?" "Yes, Miss S.”
"But you, my dear, were never influenced by his opinions, I hope?”
"Yes, Miss S., we are all Unitarians.”
If the roof had fallen in, Miss S. would not have been more startled. She literally could not speak in her amazement, and took an early opportunity of dismissing the only other occupant of the room; and when they were left alone, she said; "My dear Miss F., did I not ask you about your religious opinions before I engaged you as governess?”
"No, Miss S., you did not, or I should have told you; and as I had no objection to going to church, I thought you were not more particular than myself.”
"That was a great mistake, my dear; but I must wait until morning before I decide anything.”
That night was a trying one for poor Miss F., already much attached both to the principal and the pupils. She knew that in all probability she would be obliged to leave the next day. And not only that, but she felt, on retiring to her own room, that in the room just under her feet Miss S. was pouring out her heart to the Lord in prayer and supplication for her. The very boards seemed to open and let the prayers through, so powerfully did she feel the prayers. No one had ever prayed for her before; it was a new experience.
Morning came at last, and after breakfast Miss S. requested her governess to remain with her a few moments, and then told her that after laying the case before the Lord, she thought that as she had come into the house as governess without questions being asked (a circumstance that had never happened before), it might be that the Lord had sent her for blessing, and it would not be right to send her away—not at present, at all events.
"But," said Miss S., "I shall require your promise not to influence my pupils in any way.”
Miss F. was glad to give the required promise, as she already felt that there was something happier about the teaching of Miss S. than her own Unitarian opinions; and although she thought that the teaching of Miss S. was all founded on a mistake, she made up her mind not to trouble about it.
Already a month had passed, and all went on happily, when one evening as they were going out of the dining-room Miss F. glanced at the text above alluded to, and this being observed by Miss S., it brought out the remark at the commencement of this narrative, "I never can, and I never shall!”
Was not this like setting man's will against God's power? The only response of Miss S. at the time was a profound sigh.
Time went on, Miss S. regularly teaching the children God's way of salvation, without personally speaking much to Miss F., who listened, thought it sounded very sweet, but took no more notice, until just nine months after her first arrival, when passing out of the dining-room as usual, she once more glanced at the text; "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Something seemed different, and she stood still while once more Miss S. used exactly the same words, "My dear Miss F., what would I not give if you could see that text as I do!”
"Miss S., I do!" was the glad cry that almost burst from her governess, as she continued to gaze at the words.
How different they looked, thought she! So they did. A light had shone from it into the heart of the looker on, and there was "joy in the presence of the angels of God" that night. So full of the newly found joy and blessing was Miss F. that she wondered everyone did not notice her happiness.
Letters were written to each dear relative, begging them to turn from their dead doctrine to the life-giving Savior, so ready to receive all who come to Him. Whosoever will may come! Reader, will you?
That text first shone with saving power before the eyes of that governess, filling her with joy and peace unspeakable; the word of the Lord abides.
And thus His word still avails for every one yet in darkness as to the value of that blood, which indeed cleanseth from all sin.
It was shed for the remission of sins; and we have all sinned, and our conscience tells us so. But through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed on our behalf—for He died the Just for the unjust—we have our consciences cleansed from our sins, and we no longer have an "evil conscience" about them; for we know and believe that His blood has atoned for them all, and put them away from before God,—we purify our souls in obeying the truth, and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification.
"It is not thy tears of repentance or prayers,
But the blood that atones for the soul;
On Him then believe, and a pardon receive,
Not in part, but indeed, of the whole.
O! take with rejoicing from Jesus at once
The life everlasting He gives;
And know with assurance thou never canst die,
Since Jesus thy righteousness lives.