THE hot August sun was shining in a cloudless sky as I leisurely strolled along a beautiful country lane. As I walked slowly on, an almost impressive stillness reigned, when presently it was broken in upon by the sound of a woman's voice singing the well-known words—
“I will believe, I do believe,
That Jesus died for me;
That on the cross He shed His blood,
From sin to set me free.”
A few steps farther on brought me in sight of the singer. She was resting in the shade of a tree. There was a certain touch of gentility about her; yet she was unmistakably one of the poorest of wandering hawkers. A glance showed that hardships had aged her prematurely. As I advanced, she hastily rose, and, thinking she was about to beg, I offered her alms. But with a polite "No, thank you, ma'am, I have enough for to-day, and I may not want for to-morrow,” she looked into my face and said: "Do you know how long you will live?”
"Yes," I answered; "forever.”
“Yes; but where?" she said.
"With the Lord in glory," was my answer. “Is the finished work of Christ your ground for that assurance? In plain words, have you accepted Him as your Saviour?" “Yes, I have," I answered.
"Praise the Lord!" she exclaimed. "So have I. Was it not good of Him to come and save poor sinners" After some other remarks, thinking I was about to pass on, she said, “Won’t you have a little talk about Him? I so seldom meet with any who really know Him." And then she added, as if to herself," Ah well! it does not matter. I can talk to Jesus Himself." As she had resumed her seat, I seated myself by her side, and we had a pleasant half-hour together, speaking of our common Saviour, who is so much to His own, whether they be rich or poor.
After a little time I learned somewhat of her history. She had seen better days, but had sunk to the most abject poverty. At last a lady had found her hopelessly ill, and deserted by all. This lady had procured her admission into an hospital, where, after many weary weeks, she began to recover, and then the same kind friend began to tell her of the Lord, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. It was the great love of Jesus which first touched and captivated this poor woman's heart, and she drank in with childlike simplicity the story of His love unto death. Her own utter unworthiness was her stumbling-block; but gradually her eyes were opened to see that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin. "Aye," she repeated; "the blood cleanseth.”
The lady afterward furnished her with a basket of small wares, and by selling them she earned an honest livelihood. "The Lord has raised up," she said, "many kind friends in my behalf. Praise Him for it; He has been oh, so good to me”
On parting, she said, "You might think this is a lonely sort of life; but oh 1 Jesus Himself comes and keeps me company all the way.”
“The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." He says of them, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.”
K. R.