LITTLE did Miss R―think one morning, as she was going about her usual house duties, that the labor she was bestowing on her door-step was to be used of God as a sign to bring to her house one of His servants, with a message of peace for her troubled soul.
J. L―, a devoted young Christian, who had got work in an outlying district of Northumberland, was looking to the Lord to guide him to suitable lodgings.
Having heard, from inquiries he made, that a certain Mrs.―, not far from his work, took in lodgers, he set off to learn if he could be received. On reaching her house, but before he knocked at her door, there rushed suddenly into his mind a remark which a Christian friend had made to him some time previously― “Whenever I want lodgings in a strange district, I always look out for a clean door-step, as it is generally an indication of cleanliness and comfort within.” This sudden invasion of his mind made J. L―turn his eyes to another cottage quite near, and there, sure enough, was the “clean door-step.”
This otherwise trivial incident had the Lord’s voice in it to him, as he had been seeking His guidance in this matter. Without further reasoning, he went straight to the door and knocked, which was at once answered by Miss R― and conversation of the following nature took place: ― “Would you mind taking in a lodger for a short time?”
“Well, I am not in the habit of doing so; but what is your occupation?”
“At present I am a drainer, and have got work in the district.”
After taking a good look at him, Miss Basked if he was steady, as she could not think of taking a lodger who drank; and being able to satisfy her on that score, J. was received. Miss R― said afterward, there was something about his manner that so impressed her that she could not refuse him, though she had no thought of taking lodgers at the time.
Miss R― had stayed with, and nursed her mother till the day of her death, which took place some months previously. Since that event she had been left the lonely occupant of the house, feeling most keenly her bereavement and isolation.
Her sorrow, however, instead of diminishing as time rolled by, deepened, and was coupled with real conviction of sin, which made her anxious about her soul’s salvation.
This was quite a new thing to her, as, previous to her bereavement, she was very self-righteous, and had a special dislike to those who said they were converted, calling all such “canting hypocrites,” &c.
Though convicted of sin, and anxious to be saved, pride and shame were not so dispelled from Miss R — ‘s heart yet as to make her go to any of the Christians around her to inquire the way of salvation, though she then wished, from the bottom of her heart, she had the joy of forgiveness which they possessed. But God, who is ever gracious, knew the longing desire of her soul, and sent His humble, devoted servant thither, guiding his feet to her very door-bringing thus together two longing souls; the servant longing to lead weary sin-laden sinners to his precious Saviour, and a weary sinner longing to be led.
He had not been long in the house till they discovered each other. She soon got the impression that he was a truly converted man, while he soon found she was an anxious soul; and this led him to speak freely to her on the subject that was uppermost in both their hearts―the question of the “soul’s salvation.”
Like nearly all awakened and anxious souls, she had for some time been trying to make herself better, in the hope she would make herself more acceptable to God. She found, however, like the woman in Mark 5:25-35,25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? (Mark 5:25‑35) who spent all her living to get cured of her disease, that she was daily getting worse instead of better, as each day’s sins and shortcomings were only adding to the great load of guilt that she felt lying on her conscience when first awakened.
This was her state then when J. L― set before her “God’s salvation,” which is—blessed be His Name―all of PURE grace― “Not of works, lest any man should BOAST” (Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). He showed her from God’s Word that all our best deeds, BEFORE we accept Christ, are, in God’s sight—whatever value man may put on them—only “dead works” and “FILTHY RAGS” (Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14); Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). Therefore any efforts of ours cannot in the least help to fit us for God. But what we could not do, God Himself has done. He has provided salvation for the sinner at infinite cost to Himself and His Beloved Son. “He spared not his own Son,” but delivered Him up to the death of the cross for our sins―yea, for “our offenses”―and “raised him again for OUR JUSTIFICATION” (Rom. 4:25, 8:32).
The full punishment that our sins deserved was endured by Jesus, when He was on the cross-forsaken of God; and so completely did He atone for them, that, in dying, He said, “It is finished.” As a result of this work, He could assure the penitent thief who died at His side, that He would take him that day with Him into paradise (Luke 23:39-4339And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39‑43); Matt. 27:4646And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)). The fact, too, that God raised His Son from the dead and put Him into heavenly glory, shows how perfectly He was satisfied with the work of the cross; and now He sends His message of forgiveness to every poor sinner who believes on His Son (Luke 24:46, 4746And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46‑47); Acts 10:43, 13:38, 39).
This was the message Miss R―needed, and the Lord sent His servant with it; and by His grace she received it, and there and then was saved.
I relate this incident specially for the encouragement of those who may be in a similar state to Miss R —, for I believe there are many longing to be at “peace with God,” but who have not the courage to state their difficulties to those Christians they know, and who would only be too glad to help them. If the reader is in this state, be assured God has His eye upon you, and is thinking about you, as truly as He was about Miss R―; and though He may not use a sign, as He did in her case, to bring a servant of His to your house, He is none, the less anxious to meet the longing desire of your soul.
It may be that He has led me to write this purposely for you. The very fact that it is in your hand at this moment, and your eyes reading it, is surely a sign―yea, a proof―that He is thinking of you for blessing.
May you then, like Miss R―, receive the message of forgiveness He sends you now, and then God’s salvation, which you so long for, will be yours at once, and forever. J. M.