One evening on my way to speak at a Gospel meeting in a large city, I was hurrying along the banks of a river. About a hundred yards from the hall at which I was to preach, I noticed a young woman standing apparently in deep thought. Her attitude and manner arrested my attention. I hesitated a moment, and then felt prompted to speak.
Asking her to pardon the apparent rudeness of a stranger in addressing her, I invited her to our meeting which was close by, saying that no one would prevent her leaving at any time she pleased. She resented my intrusion and emphatically declined to come to the meeting.
Here I must say that my hostess where I had just taken tea had presented me with a beautiful white rose. I never wear a flower, but she had been so insistent that I had accepted the blossom.
I now removed the rose from my coat, and turned and asked the young woman as a parting favor to accept it. Looking at the rose, then at me, she finally grasped the beautiful flower. The light from the street lamp fell on her stricken countenance, and I saw on her cheek a glistening tear. I gave her the address of our hall and said good-bye, silently praying that she would alter her decision and come to the meeting.
When I had finished my Gospel message and another speaker was following me, I spied in a dark corner of the hall the young woman to whom I had spoken an hour before.
At the conclusion of the address she arose as though she had something to say but was afraid to speak. Presently, however, in clear and distinct though tremulous tones, she told the meeting her sad story.
"I was standing," she said, "at the river edge trying to decide whether again to drown my conscience in the vice and wickedness in which I have lived for five years, or (which seemed far better) to drown myself in the river. I had all but decided to throw myself into the dark water when that gentleman spoke to me and aroused me from my awful thoughts. He invited me to come to this meeting and I insultingly refused. Then he asked me to accept this rose—just like the pure white flower my widowed mother cut from her favorite bush and gave to me when I left her five years ago.
"As she handed it to me, Mother said, `Ellen, you are leaving me against my will to make your own way in the world. I am fearful for you that the ways of sin may ensnare you. But always—and especially whenever you see a white rose—remember your mother's fervent prayer for the safe return of her child. Day and night I shall pray that God will bring you home again a saved soul.'
"I have often thought of my mother and her words, and have had to stifle my conscience many times. While I stood contemplating that awful step tonight I thought of her. The gift of this white rose was like her voice speaking to me. It brought me to my senses, and God has used it to draw me to this meeting. I've been listening to the story of the Savior of sinners, and I dare not go from here unsaved. Will Christ extend mercy to one so sinful as I am?”
We stopped our meeting and brought before her John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16): "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." She listened eagerly, then burst into tears and fell upon her knees in anguish, imploring the Lord to save her soul. We joined in silent prayer, leaving her with God to whom she was confessing her guilt and sorrow. Her state at times was alarming; but presently she became calm and subdued, and quietly rising she said: "I do receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. I can go back to my mother— SAVED.”
After giving thanks to God for His mercy and for answering prayer, we sheltered her for the night. The next day we communicated with her mother who was almost overcome with joy and thankfulness at the good news. We sought and obtained for her employment among Christians where she still works, happy in Christ and living a consistent life, ever seeking to tell others of the same precious Savior.
This may be read by many who have never seen themselves as so great sinners as the subject of this true narrative. Nevertheless, YOU, unsaved reader, are guilty before God, for "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). The words of the Lord Jesus are: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:33I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3). But "God, who is rich in mercy" has provided a way of escape. The Lord of heaven and earth gave His only-begotten Son that "whosoever"— a greater or a lesser sinner, it may be— "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”