I knew a little girl who lay for nearly two years and a half in one position, with a disease that was eating her life away. She was fair to look upon; I never saw a sweeter face, or looked into more untroubled eyes that met mine as twice every week I took my seat beside her bed.
She was in humble life, and yet not poor, though an inmate of a hospital, and life might have been attractive and precious to her. She suffered much pain, but she knew and loved the Saviour, and remembering what He had borne for her made her own sufferings seem light.
“Poor girl,” exclaimed a visitor. She overheard it.
“I am not poor,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “God has made me His child. O, Sir, don’t think I am to be pitied. If I could tell you half His goodness to my soul you would envy me.”
Envy her in the way of pain? Jesus was beside her in it all, and upheld her by His mighty love, so that her heart was comforted.
Two years and a half in the way of pain! Think of it! Yet no one heard a murmur or expression of impatience escape her lips. I stood beside her at the close.
“Is it dark, Ellen?” I asked.
“No,” she answered, with a sweet look of wonder. “Jesus is here. I am happy.”
She lay as if contemplating some beautiful vision unseen by those around her. An expression of intense joy was on her face. I bent down.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Himself!” she said in a hushed whisper.
In another moment she was absent from the body and present with the Lord. — A. V.
The August Message, 1932.
I must close my August Message with some beautiful lines which I received today. They express my deep heart’s desires, not only for myself, but for all my readers.
Yours for Christ’s sake,
Heyman Wreford.