IN the County of M—, and in the wildest parts of the parish of N—, shut out from every privilege, lived a poor and aged woman.
By industry she had earned and saved a scanty pittance; but through the ill behavior of some of the members of her family, she was obliged to resign the store destined for her support in the time of old age.
She had gone through life as if it were never to end, toiling hard, gaining little, forgetting her immortal soul, and sleeping her time away.
It pleased God to bring to my knowledge, through the medium of some of her neighbors in the valley, the wretched state of this person, and a day was fixed for the first visit.
On entering her cottage, I found her, dressed in a red cloak, sitting down and smoking a pipe. Her only companions were a child about ten years of age, and two dogs.
As far as appearances went, everything was calculated to make the heart sink in despair and the flesh tremble with fear; but those words in Eccl. 9:1010Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10) ECC 9:1010Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10) quelled all doubts: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
On conversing with her on religious subjects, I found she was indeed desolate. She had entered her hundredth year, and had not believed in that Saviour who died that sinners might live; and as her life was closing fast, it was an overwhelming thought that she must soon be taken from this sinful world, to he lost forever.
But He who searcheth all hearts, and knoweth what is in the mind of man, was pleased to use my visit to alarm her conscience, making her feel her guilt and danger, and leading her to see her need of Christ.
Some may ask, “But did she ever repent, and believe?”
Yes, marvelous are the ways of God. He called this aged creature out of the deepest darkness into His marvelous light; and though she could not read, her memory was good, so that she remembered all she heard.
Many months indeed passed before she got peace with God; when one morning she opened her heart, and confessed that now she knew what God meant by sending me to her cottage. She said that she had often wondered how I could come so often, not feeling that I loved her soul, and wished her to love Christ. The truth of the gospel so often repeated to her came home with power at last, and she became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
It pleased God to spare her three years longer, during which period the nature of the inward change was plainly manifested. Her strength was in Him; she found that His hand was not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear (Isa. 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1)). ISA 59:11Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (Isaiah 59:1) He saved, He sanctified, He comforted her; and she departed a few months since, in her hundred and third year, rejoicing in Jesus.
And now we leave her, and would say a few words to those who perhaps think old age is time enough to believe. Do you think so?
Perhaps before to-morrow's sunset you may be in eternity. Let me ask the question, Have You really believed in Christ? If not, “come to Jesus “without delay. Why dash away the cup of mercy, and madly dream of salvation without a Saviour? His blood was shed for sinners; and though You have so long rejected Him, He still asks you to come, saying," I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins" (Isa. 43:2525I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)). ISA 43:2525I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah 43:25)
On the other hand, let no one think age a certain hindrance to salvation, but cast all your sins at the foot of the cross, seek mercy, and the door will not be closed against you.
May all who are engaged in the important work of visiting the poor be stimulated by this interesting fact; and, whatever obstacles arise to stay your progress, press forward. You are working for God, and you shall not lose your reward. Go on in His strength, and in His own good time He will bless your efforts, however feeble. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that" (Eccl. 11:66In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)). ECC 11:66In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)