THE character that is generally given to us of a tiger is not an attractive one. He is described as treacherous, cruel, and bloodthirsty; an animal held in dread by all—a creature not to be trusted by any. It is not, however, of the beautiful wild animal of the forests and jungles that my story treats, but of a creature who was far more treacherous, fax more cruel. He was cruel—aye, actually dangerous—to his own kith and kin, especially to his trembling wife and terrified children; for it is worthy of remark that the debased and hardened sinner is generally brutal as well as cowardly, his cruel hand ever coming down hardest on the weak and the defenseless. But let me tell my story, and describe how Jem Rowden was tamed.
Jem Rowden was strikingly handsome as a young man—that is, judging merely from the outward appearance. His manner in those early days could be very sweet and gentle when he had anything to gain by it; and as he was anxious to win pretty Ruth Gillot for his wife, he took care never to Jet her see the rough side of his nature, nor to hear the rough side of his tongue.
But Ruth was a Christian—a title no one for a moment thought of applying to her lover. Would she—could she marry him? There were not wanting faithful friends to warn her, foremost among whom were her mother and her pastor. To her mother she pleaded: “He is so gentle and kind, mother; you don't know. He says he will always obey my slightest wish, once we are married; and I am sure that I shall, with God's blessing, be able to influence him for good."
Deaf to all remonstrance, because she loved her Jem with all her heart, and trusted him with all her soul, Ruth declared that “marry him she would." And marry him she did.
The young bride had no misgivings, as she left her parents' home. But in a terribly short time her eyes were opened to see the fatal result of her willfulness. The lover, whom she had supposed to be so gentle, soon showed himself in his true colors; the mask was thrown aside when there was no longer any object in wearing it, and Jem Rowden proved himself to be a brutal, headstrong husband.
One of his first acts was to forbid his wife entering any place of worship; and when Ruth indignantly replied that "nothing and nobody" should prevent her going to God's house, he struck her with his clenched fist. She reeled under the unexpected blow; and on looking up at him with terrified wonder, remarked, for the first time, the cruel expression of that otherwise handsome face. The lines of evil passion were indeed but too plainly written there; and henceforth she marveled how she could ever have trusted herself to him.
Poor Ruth very soon lost heart. She found it hopeless to struggle against the strong will of a bad, unscrupulous man. And yet, so far as worldly circumstances went, they might have been most comfortable. For Jem Rowden was a stone cutter, and clever at his trade, and his earnings in the week were considerable. But self was dearer to him than wife or children, and most of his wages were spent on self—a very small proportion finding its way into the hands of the unhappy wife, even though, as time passed on, the wants of a young family had to be supplied. He grudged every farthing spent in food or clothing—except for himself; and for days together Ruth would live on nothing but dry bread and weak tea without milk (and not even enough of that) that she might give as much nourishment as she could to her hungry children. No more caresses, no more kind words, no lover like actions were bestowed to gladden her sore heart. Blows and curses there were in plenty; and these were the only things of which there was not any stint.
This is no fancy sketch, dear reader. It is a true story I am telling; and (alas that it should be so!) this description may easily be paralleled in many another home in our dear old England.
One evening a friendly neighbor came in hurriedly, and looking cautiously round the room before she spoke, asked in a low excited whisper, “Mrs. Rowden, is your man out?”
"Yes. Do you want him? If so, you may have to wait for long, for there's never no saying when he'll be back."
"That's famous, for it's you I want, not him! Do you know there's a mission going on in the town, and I want you to come with me there. I was at the service last evening, and it was just beautiful. The good news was put so plain that it was real comforting; and I thought how much I should like you to hear the minister yourself. It would put a bit of gladness into your heart for sure. Come! "
But Ruth shook her head in listless, hopeless fashion. “It’s no use, Lucy, I have been to no service since the first month after I was wed. Jem knocked me down then; and he said he would half murder me if he ever caught me going nigh church or chapel again, and he's just the man to do it. So don't ask me, for I can't come."
“You need not stay long," urged her friend. "You might be back before he returns. And it would give you fresh heart to pray for husband and children, when you hear how wonderfully God does answer prayer, and how He cares. You see, poor dear soul, you are never in the way of hearing such things now. And you have told me you are a Christian."
“I was once." The answer came with a half sob, half sigh.
"Well, come and get the light kindled afresh—why shouldn't you? Your little ones are all asleep in bed, except your Jack, and he will see that no harm comes to them."
"Yes, Lucy, I'll go with you," Ruth said with sudden resolution.
She went with her friend to the large hall in which the mission was held, and there God met with her. She heard the “word in season," and found it good. God's message came straight to her heart, and she returned home rejoicing in the assurance of His pardoning love. Her spiritual perceptions became quickened. She saw how unfaithfulness to God had caused all the misery of her life. As His child she had no right to marry Jem. But, having married him, had she let her light shine? Had she prayed “without ceasing" that God would give her her husband's soul? No! she had failed utterly. But now, thank God, she saw her faults and shortcomings, and would amend them. Henceforth, with His blessed help she would "pray without ceasing "; and she had faith to believe that thus praying for him and for herself, she would be enabled to do better.
When Jem came in that evening, though he had taken a great deal more to drink than was good for him, as indeed was generally the case, he yet had his wits sufficiently about him to detect a change in his wife. There was a sparkle in her eye, and a brightness in her manner, that he had not seen in her for years.
But it displeased him. Innately cruel and a bully, he preferred to see her looking downtrodden and cowed. More slave than wife, was the position he wished her to occupy; scarcely daring to lift her eyes to his face. Where had she been? Whom had she seen? What had happened to cause this change? He determined to find out; but he would ask her no questions. He liked better the thought of tracking and entrapping her of taking her unawares. Crafty and cunning, and treacherous as a tiger, he pretended to notice nothing; he was even less ferocious to her than usual, lest she might be more on her guard.
Next evening Ruth and her friend were again in the mission hall. “Oh, it is good to be here!" the former whispered, with happy tears running down her cheeks. “It is good to feel once more that have a Friend, a heavenly Friend, unfailing, kind, and true." In truth she needed such a Friend sorely, for a fiery trial awaited her.
Ruth Rowden did not stay quite to the end of the service. She left the mission hall early, hoping that she might be safely back before there was any chance of her husband's return. But her heart sank within her as, on nearing her cottage home, she saw him standing in the doorway, evidently on the watch for her. There was that in his face that caused a cold shiver to pass through her—a look of malignant triumph at having entrapped her. Without a word, but with a cruel smile upon his lips, he moved aside to let her pass into the house. Then he quietly followed her, shutting and locking the door behind them.
"Where have you been?” he demanded. His voice was calm, but there was an ominous, ring in it, that boded no good to his victim. He knew well where she had been, for he had questioned little Jack.
“I will tell the truth, even if he kills me for it," she said to herself. Then Ruth's answer came, distinct, yet falteringly, “To the mission hall."
"Very well; you have had your little game, and now you have got to pay for it. I told you that if I ever caught you going to any preaching place again I would half murder you, and I mean to do it."
"Listen, Jem, first for one moment," she pleaded. “What I heard there will help to make me a better wife to you, and—"
“I don't want any preaching fellow to tell you how to be a better wife," he shouted, violent passion succeeding the deadly calm. "My way is the best, and I advise you to take your punishment quietly, for," with a brutal oath, " if you make a row, and the neighbors hear, it will be ten times the worse for you."
I do not mean to describe the sickening scene that followed. Vindictive blows rained hard and fast upon the poor, defenseless, unresisting wife, followed by cowardly kicks as she sank moaning and half fainting on the ground. Alas! only half fainting; complete unconsciousness did not come to ease for a brief while the intolerable agony she endured. Weary of his horrid work at last, with a final kick, the tyrant departed, saying" There, now, I have given you something Co remember. But if I catch you going to any of those places again, as I'm a living man, I will murder you quite."
On the evening of the following day, when her friend came as before to accompany her to the mission services, she started back aghast at the too palpable marks of ill-treatment which the victim bore.
“Oh, Mrs. Rowden, poor dear, what has your husband been doing to you to make you look like this? “the kind-hearted woman exclaimed.
"Only what he threatened to do," Ruth replied, with a rueful smile. “He says he will do for me altogether next time I go."
“God help you, poor soul! You must never go again, and I am dreadfully sorry I ever persuaded you to go at all."
“But I am going again! I am going this very evening," was Ruth's wholly unexpected answer. “Don’t you see that I am all ready dressed? I feel as if I must go—I can't help it. I have told my little Jack to tell the truth to his father if he comes back while I'm away."
“But, Mrs. Rowden, your man will kill you!"
“If he does, I can't help it, for go I must. I long to hear the words of life once more, and, if Jem does kill me, I shall go to my dear Savior who died for me. Oh, I am so thankful, dear Lucy, that you took me there; it has brought such bright sunshine into my heart."
Lucy shook her head, and tried hard to persuade her friend to stay at home. But Ruth was firm. “I must have my Jem prayed for in that room," she explained; "and I must be there to join my prayers with theirs. Perhaps I shall never have the chance again."
So together the two friends walked with rapid step to the mission hall. Stopping for a moment as she saw one of the helpers at the door, inviting people to enter, Ruth thus addressed him—
“Please sir, I want my Jem prayed for, very special, to-night."
“Is he your husband?” the gentleman asked.
“Yes, sir."
"And is it he who has marked you in this terrible manner?”
“Yes, sir! But he doesn't know any better," she added quickly;” and you will let him be prayed for, won't you, sir? "
" Surely we will, my friend." he rejoined, touched by the forgiving spirit she displayed; while he said to himself as he watched her enter the building: "You are in truth obeying our dear Lord's command to pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.' "
Very restless, sullen, and irritable was Jem Rowden throughout that day. In the evening he felt no desire to sit in the taproom of the “Three Bears." He was burning with curiosity to see if such a thing could be possible as that Ruth would dare to go again to the mission hall. He stationed himself at the corner of a street where, himself unobserved, he could see all who came from the direction of his cottage. And when in a little while he saw his wife limping along, and leaning heavily on the arm of her friend, his face became livid with concentrated hate and fury. He never moved till he had seen her disappear within the door of the hall; then he quickly took his large clasp knife out of his pocket, and felt the edge.
Half an hour later he stole cautiously down to the mission hall. Keeping in the shadow of the porch, he stood close to the inner door and waited. He was now trembling from head to foot with ungovernable rage; while now and again he would open his knife and pass his finger along the smooth keen edge. Hymns were being sung, prayer was being offered, earnest words were being spoken, but Jem heard none of them; for the wild tumult in his breast left room but for one thought—revenge.
On a sudden a single sentence caught his ear—"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The strange words arrested his attention: he had never heard so wonderful a saying before What could it mean? Rest?—why?—the very thought was sweet, and he would like, above all things, to possess it. Hitherto the wild tumult in heart and brain had only been maddening—making a very hell upon earth. Was such a thing as rest possible? He had never wished for it before—had never thought of it; but now his soul was athirst for this unknown good.
Of the address that followed the giving out of the text, Jem Rowden heard not one syllable, though he might have heard every word of it if he had listened. He heard only the text itself, " Come unto Me... and I will give you rest."
Presently the hymn was given out—
Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distrest?
Come to Me,' saith One, and coming,
Be at rest.'"
Jem could stand it no longer. He gently pushed open the inner door, and crept inside.
One of the helpers, standing near, came forward, intending to lead him to a seat, but a glance at the man's face showed him that he had not come as an ordinary listener. His countenance expressed intense misery, and yet there seemed something of expectancy too. In a hoarse whisper he said—
Please sir, are you the gentleman that has promised to give rest, and will you give it to me?"
“What do you mean, my friend?” the other answered, thinking it was impossible he could have heard aright; “come outside a minute and explain. Now tell me what it is you want."
Jem began again: "I heard someone say,' Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.' Was it you as said it, sir, and will you give it to me? "
“My poor fellow," replied the gentleman, "do you really not know who it was that gave that gracious invitation?”
“No, sir; was it the other gentleman?” Jem asked; “and will he do as he said if I go to him? Look here, sir," he went on, excitedly, “you must see how much I want this rest when I tell you that I have hell here." And he pressed his two hands against his throbbing heart.
"Ah, I see—I understand now. You have come here to-night to try and find the way of peace."
"No, I have not," Jem answered, "I came here to murder my wife. Look here!" —and he took the knife again from his pocket, and showed the sharpened blade—" I had only one thought when I came to this here place, and that was to stab her as soon as ever she came through these doors. But now I want to know if it is true what I heard, and if anyone is going to give me the rest they have promised."
“Yes, it is quite true," the other answered. "Come inside and wait till the service is over, and then we will tell you Who it is that promises rest to the weary and heavy laden, and how that rest may be obtained."
He led Jem gently in, found him a seat in the crowded room, and sat beside him. The hymn was ended now. The various requests for prayer were read, while the people were on their knees. Jem was not listening; he was sitting forward, with his head bent down on his chest, and his mind engrossed with the thought of the promised rest.
“A wife earnestly desires prayer for her husband." He vaguely heard the words; but when the speaker continued: " She says, “Please Sir, I want my Jem prayed for very special to-night,"— then indeed he started, and, looking suddenly up, encountered the gaze of his Ruth, who at that moment happened to turn her head in his direction. Till then neither of them was aware that they were actually sitting in the same seat, though at opposite corners. It was only for an instant she allowed her eyes to rest on his; then, bowing her head upon her hands, she prayed, as if she felt it was her last chance on earth, that God would save her husband's soul, and bless her children., The service was ended, but those were invited to remain behind who desired to be taught "the way of God more perfectly." (Acts 18:2626And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26).) As this did not appear to Jem to be what he needed, he made an attempt to slip out with others who were leaving the building. But his friend was prepared for such a movement.
“Wait a bit," he whispered encouragingly;” your turn is coming now, and, please God, we shall be able to show you how you may get that rest you want so badly." So Jem remained, in the same attitude as before, with his chin resting on his chest, whilst the words of that strange text were vibrating continuously in his ears.
There was stillness in the hall once more. The doors had closed behind the retiring crowd, and only those were left within, who desired to be dealt with by the missioners, and one or two who, like Ruth, remained behind to pray for those dear to them.
She, poor woman, did not doubt when she saw her husband so near her, that he had only come there to prevent the possibility of her escaping him, and that he would take her life as soon as he had got her outside. Nevertheless, there was a peace and calm in her heart that astonished herself when she thought of it afterwards. She experienced the truth of that blessed assurance: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." (Isa. 16:33Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. (Isaiah 16:3).)
She felt it to be a deeply solemn time—so near eternity—only a step between her and death. She never moved from her knees, nor did she raise her head from the time she had so unexpectedly caught her husband's eye.
So intent had she been on making known her requests unto God, that she had not been aware of what had been going on at the other end of that long seat, till a man's sob broke into her prayer, and she heard the heart-broken lamentation: " It cannot be for me—no—no—you don't know what I am—there's no rest for me."
And then Ruth knew that God's Holy Spirit was striving with her Jem, and that she was not to die by his hand.
His agony of mind was terrible. The Holy Spirit had indeed convinced him of sin, and for the first time he saw something of the evil of his own heart. The missioners pointed him to Jesus as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29).) They told him that Christ had borne the punishment for sin. “Not such sin as mine," Jem groaned. “Do you know that I wanted to murder my wife?" He shuddered in horror at his own murderous thoughts, and muttered in a tone of despair, “There is only the curse of God for such a wretch as I."
They answered him always with Bible words; pointing out that “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)), and that it must be true, because it was the Lord Himself who said it.
"It's too late for me—I'm too bad," he repeated again and again. "Since I was a lad I have never entered church or chapel except to be married. I have never spoken the Lord's name except in oaths and blasphemy. And there's no sort of wickedness that I have not done. Don't tell me He'll forgive me, for I know He can't."
"Cannot you believe God's own word?" they asked him. "There it is written, ' He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Prov. 18:1313He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:13).)
"My sins are too many—too many," he moaned.
“If you are a great sinner, remember Christ is a great Savior! He it is who said the gracious, tender words, Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).)
" Oh, if I could only think it meant me," Jem said, broken down with emotion as he heard again the words which had so much struck him at the first.
Hour after hour passed. Nine, ten, eleven o'clock struck; and the last of those who had remained behind for the inquiry meeting had long ago left the building. But Jem Rowden, his wife, and the missioners were still there. They engaged in earnest prayer with him and for him. They bid him pray for himself; pointing out that if he wished for pardon and rest, it was meet that he should humbly ask for it. Then they taught him the publican's prayer, “God, be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:1313And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13).)
It was now past midnight; but they could not bear to leave the man in his present state of overwhelming misery. "God, be merciful to me an awful sinner," burst from his quivering lips again and again. It seemed—and no doubt it was so—as if Satan himself were struggling to retain his hold on his victim.
But if Satan was there, it is certain the Savior was there also. His word can never fail, His promise cannot be broken; and He has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).)
The anxious watchers saw at length that, by little and little, light seemed breaking in upon the darkened mind. As they repeated from God's Word the numberless promises and gracious invitations given to all who turn from their evil ways, his exclamations were no longer, " Too late! " nor, " Those promises are not for me! " but, with a look in which wonder and hope were blended, " Can it indeed be for me? Can God care for such a wretch as I? "
But the half doubt at last gave place to joyful trust; he fell upon his knees, and, with clasped hands, said, in a tone of deep conviction, “I do believe God loves me! I do believe that the Lord Jesus died for me.”
A lump in the throat prevented the missioners from immediately letting their voices be heard in thanksgiving to God for His mercy; but, while Ruth sobbed aloud from overpowering emotion, the glorious Doxology, " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," was sung with heart and voice by these devoted servants of God.
As they left the hall in the small hours of the morning, and a warm hand-grasp had been exchanged between the Rowdens and the missioners, who, with prayerful earnestness, commended them to God, and to the word of His grace, they each took their homeward way.
"Ruth, my poor little wife, can you ever forgive me?" Jem asked, his face working with deep feeling, though it was too dark for her to see it.
Ruth could scarcely believe the evidence of her senses. Jem to ask for pardon!— Jem, who had never been known in all his life to confess himself in the wrong to either God or man! And now—could she have heard aright?—did he ask her to forgive him? She could not speak—words seemed to fail her—but the answer she gave, throwing her arms round his neck, and kissing him again and again, was sufficiently eloquent.
From that hour all was changed. Old things had, indeed, passed away, and all things had become new. The savage nature of the man had been vanquished—the tiger had been tamed. From henceforth neither wife nor children had to fear an angry or harsh word from him; while to Ruth his manner was touchingly tender, and her will was his law. It was she who proposed the daily reading of the Bible, and family prayer before he went out to his work, and he at once consented; it was she who begged him to give up his visits to the "Three Bears, and again he gave a hearty assent. But for this he needed no urging.
"Never again, so help me God, will I enter those doors, unless it be to do some good there, which ain't likely." And to this he kept faithfully.
His wages were brought home every Saturday, and every penny was given into his wife's keeping; their children were properly fed and suitably clothed, and Ruth was now as happy as the day was long.
Was Jem happy? His face was wonderfully altered—it shone with that peculiar radiance which shows a mind at peace with God. The cruel expression was gone forever, and anyone who knows about such things from personal experience could see at a glance that handsome Jem had now got that "rest” for which he craved when first hearing of it on that eventful night during the mission. When going to his work in the mornings he might generally be seen leading his little Jack by the hand (to leave him at the school as he passed), singing brightly some favorite hymn, and joined in by his boy's clear treble.
It is a strange thing (but it is a fact) that from the time Jem Rowden began to walk in the better way, the neighbors began to say he was a little touched in the head. The change was so sudden that they could not understand it. When he was headstrong, and godless, selfish, cruel and vindictive, they never thought of calling him mad; but now they did. They would watch him walking down the street with his little son, joyfully singing a hymn of praise; and then they would look at each other and smile, and touch their foreheads in a significant way, as if to say that he was not “all there."
After all, this was nothing new. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the same thing being common in his day; “He that departeth from evil is accounted mad." (Isa. 59:1515Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. (Isaiah 59:15).) But if to turn from sin, to become God-fearing, industrious, faithful, helpful, and true, is madness, would God that all in the world were mad.
Seven years have already passed since Jem Rowden began to walk in the light; and all that time he has walked circumspectly and consistently, and has given “none occasion to the enemy to blaspheme." MRS. G. E. M.