While a Christian lady was visiting a relative ill in a southern sanitarium, her attention was attracted to a young man in the same ward. As the earnest, troubled look on his face met her eyes, her heart went out in sympathy and she felt a desire to comfort him in some way. Lifting up her heart to God in prayer for guidance, she walked over to his cot. Noting the sunken eyes, the hollow cheeks, and the difficult breathing, she realized that he would soon be beyond reach of earthly comfort.
Speaking gently, she inquired if she could do anything for his comfort; but he told her that he was now too sick for help and nearing, the end of life. She then asked him concerning his hope for eternity. His countenance seemed to darken, his voice rose angrily as he said, "Lady, don't talk to me of Christianity. I hate Christians. They have caused me nothing but trouble. My father is a Christian, but I hate him. I will never forgive him for the trouble he has caused me. No, I don't want to hear about your Christianity. I hate it.”
Wisely the lady waited in silence. Soon his rage spent itself, leaving him quite exhausted. Very calmly she replied: "Yes, due to human frailties, we Christians often disappoint and fail those we love best. I am sorry to have to admit that, my friend. But I see that you have mistaken the purpose of my visit.
"Listen! I want to assure you that I do not wish to talk to you about Christians or Christianity." He looked up with an expression of surprise and relief as she continued: "I want to talk to you about a Person who is fully able to meet your need in this solemn hour.”
He seemed to ponder her words for a moment. Then with more interest than he had before shown, he asked: "Who is that Person?”
"He is the Son of God," she answered. "He said concerning Himself, For 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 then continued: "You have accused Christians of harming you. Justly or unjustly I cannot say; but I ask you, can you bring any such charge against the Son of God?”
He considered this question for a moment, then replied hesitantly, "I don't know that He ever harmed me.”
"Well, I know that He never, never harmed you. He loves you even now, as you are, in your sins, with your heart full of hatred and rebellion.”
Then without interruption she poured forth the old sweet story of God's love manifest in Christ. She told him of the love that took Him to Calvary for helpless sinners, where He was forsaken of God for their sins. She explained how He died in agony on the cruel cross with the heart-broken cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
The young man listened as if spellbound until she stopped speaking. Suddenly his countenance changed. He seemed to be struggling with the forces of darkness. When he opened his eyes he said defiantly, "I do not believe you! No, I don't believe that God loves me. No one loves me. Don't talk of love to me! My life has had nothing but the bitter.”
At this angry, defiant outburst the heart of the lady was filled with compassion. In her imagination she envisioned herself lying there in blindness and unbelief with only a few brief days between her soul and eternal condemnation. The horrors of it all and her own helplessness caused great scalding tears to flow from her eyes.
She tried to control her tears, but they would not stop. Again and again she tried to speak; but her voice was so choked with grief that she could not utter one word. She stood weeping silently for some moments. Then with a feeling of defeat and embarrassment she turned away unable to utter even a good-by. She left the ward with the burden of a lost soul upon her heart.
After a few days she visited the hospital again. Asking about the young man, she was taken to the isolation chamber where he had been removed.
What a sight met the lady's eyes! Those large bright eyes which had gleamed with hatred and defiance a few days before, now shone with an unearthly light. His pale countenance radiated a heavenly joy as he lifted a thin hand in recognition.
His greeting was: "Oh, Lady, I'm so happy in here!" He indicated his heart as he dropped his hand upon the hollow chest. "Yes, so happy," he continued. "The hate is all gone now and when I think of my heavenly Father I feel so good in here." Again he indicated his heart.
The lady was so happy as they spoke of the wonderful love and grace of God in sending His Son to die for the lost. Then with a few comforting promises from God's Word she turned to go; but he said, "Wait, Lady! Do you know what broke me up and led to this peace?”
"No, my son, I have no idea," she replied.
"It was your tears that melted me down. That day you stood weeping by my bed I began to ask myself the question: Does that stranger love my soul so much that she is really concerned about me?
"At last I had to admit that you must love me; and at once came the conviction that the things you had told me about God giving Christ to die for my sins were true too. I believed it and peace came into my troubled soul and now I am so happy.”