THERE lived near the village of U—, in a pretty cottage, overlooking the green fields, an interesting young girl, who little thought that for many years the blessed God had been looking down on her, and seeking in many ways to bring her to Himself, till at last one night, as she listened to the story of the love of Jesus, the Lord brought her to see His great love to her in dying on the cross, and that there was nothing for her to do, but trust in His finished work. This simple trust in the Saviour brought joy to her young heart.
Ah, my reader, would that I could hear you say you trusted in Him, and then you would know some little of the joy it is to be washed, and made whiter than snow, by the precious blood of Jesus, and made meet for God’s very presence, in the bright glory where Jesus is.
The young girl of whom I write knew this, and she was happy, indeed. As she went along, day by day, she used to sing praises to her God. This was one of her favorite hymns—
“Oh, happy day that fix’d my choice
On Thee, my Saviour and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day! happy day!
When Jesus wash’d my sins away.”
And if any one asked her why she sang thus, she would say, “Because I am so happy. Yes, I am happy in Jesus.”
She was happy in His presence, for His precious blood had washed away her many sins.
Dear reader, are you happy in God’s presence? If the question of sin is not settled, it is impossible for you to be happy there; but if you know that Jesus has settled it for you, and has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, then you can go into God’s presence with boldness, and know that He delights to have you there, because that blessed One (Jesus) has so glorified Him in putting away sin that now “By Him all that believe are justified from all things.” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)).
Four years passed away, and the flower that had bloomed but for a short time was now beginning to droop and fade. Jesus was watching over her, and was soon going to take her to be with Himself. She used often to talk of the faded leaves (for it was in the autumn she was taken ill), conscious that she, too, was passing away, and so she was. Four short months finished her earthly course., As the end drew near she longed to be gone, and talked about her departure with calmness, saying she was not afraid to die, knowing that she was going to be with Jesus and thus she fell asleep, rejoicing in the Lord and leaving a bright testimony behind o what He had done for her.