ONE of such poor yet rich ones was Nan S―; indeed she was more than poor, not even possessing the usual amount of natural ability or mental capacity, but had what is known in Scotland as “a want”― (i.e., weakness of intellect).
Though quite an elderly woman, she gained her livelihood in going errands or doing odd jobs, carrying baskets of goods from the baker or grocer of the small town in which she lived to the country district around; and a glance at her appearance was enough to tell you that she was poor. Yet Nan was rich―rich in faith. Years before she had been at a little, gospel meeting in an old tumble down school-room, where a simple but earnest preacher had told out the old, yet ever new, story of the Cross.
At the close of his address, he requested his hearers, when they went home, to read the 19th chapter of John’s Gospel. Whether anyone else in that meeting did so or not we do not know; but Nan, accustomed always to do just what she was told, on reaching the lonely little garret room in which she lived, lit her lamp, drew in her chair, opened her Bible, and began to read the 19th chapter of John. Slowly and carefully she read it over, and then began to read it again and yet again. Telling me of it afterward, she said, “I don’t know how often I read it over, but every time I read it, the print of my Bible seemed to grow bigger, till at last I saw, not the print, but my Saviour crucified for me. Yes, I saw that it was my sins which had nailed Him there; but as I wept with sorrow at the greatness of my guilt, I seemed to hear Him say, ‘It is finished!’ and I knew He had borne all the judgment which was due to me. Since then He has been my own precious Saviour. I have never doubted His love, or that He has saved me, and every day He tells me more of His love; and oh! I love His name, His people, and His Word, and I often think of that time, soon coming, when I shall see Him, and shall be like Him forever.”
Nan’s piety was simple and true, shining out in many ways; but many a jeer and jest she had to endure from those who scoffed at her “religiousness,” as they called it, and made fun of her “want.” One day she was busy removing a ton of coals, laid down at the street door of one of her employers, to the coal-cellar in the back court, for which heavy work she would receive sixpence. A gentleman who was passing, and who knew her well, said jestingly, “I see you’re making your fortune, Nan.” “Ah, sir,” she quickly but earnestly replied, “my fortune’s made both for time and eternity, for I have Christ.” The gentleman passed on with rather a wondering look on his face, and perhaps it was the last little message from God to his soul, for within a week he was suddenly called from time into eternity; but whether poor or rich for eternity, we do not know.
Nan delighted, whenever she met any of the Lord’s people, to talk of Him; and many a time has my heart been cheered and refreshed by these little chats by the way. One hot summer day I had been seeing a friend away in the train, and was returning under the shade of my umbrella, when I met Nan coming toiling up the hill with a heavy basket upon each arm. “You are surely very heavy ladened this morning, Nan,” I said, glancing at the heavy baskets and then at the perspiration which was trickling down her face. Nan set down her burden while she took breath, then answered in her bright, simple, but earnest way, “Ah, no, I’m not heavy ladened now; once I was, but Jesus took my, load, the heavy load of my sins, and gave me the light burden of His will, for whatever is given me to do I just take from Him, and see it to be His will, and that makes the burden light;” and again lifting her baskets, Nan trudged brightly on her way, leaving upon my spirit the fragrance of Him whose, name is as ointment poured forth, and bringing home to my heart in fullness and freshness those lovely words of the Lord in Matt. 11:28-30,28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28‑30) “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Reader, which is yours? The heavy load of YOUR SINS, or the light burden of His WILL?
Y. Z.