Dr. Smith was not only a good physician, he was a man of God. His life and skill were devoted to the Lord's service. He had come home late from a hard day's work, and now he sat in his study and rested.
His thoughts reverted to his many patients, and the case of a young sailor came prominently before him. He knew the lad had lived a wicked life; he knew also that his days for repentance were numbered.
Then it seemed as though God spoke with him. In the silence he thought he heard the words: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." He thanked God that that was his own personal experience. He thought a moment: "That is the message God intends me to take to that poor sinner lad.”
The thought took full possession of him. He felt God was calling him to carry this blessed message to Charles Wilkinson.
It was some distance to the cottage where the Wilkinson lived, and it was very late. It was also snowing hard; and the thought entered the doctor's mind: "The case is not urgent—the young man will probably live a month yet." He sat quietly in his chair and tried once more to rest.
But the text came again to him so forcibly that, rising up in faith and hope, he went out to give it to the sick boy.
When he reached the cottage he found the mother watching by the bedside of her son. He was no worse, but he seemed very restless.
Presently the mother left the sickroom. As soon as they were alone the doctor said, "God has sent me to you with a message; Charles.”
The sufferer made no reply.
"I felt compelled to bring God's message to you tonight. I could not rest.”
Still no reply. He lay in silence.
`The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.' That is the message.”
The Christian doctor had delivered his message. He left it and the invalid in the hands of God.
When Mrs. Wilkinson went into the bedroom soon afterward she: found her son sitting up with his head on his hand, evidently thinking.
"The doctor ought to have been a parson, Mother," he said, after a long pause.
"He is a minister, for he does God's service. What did he say, my boy?”
"He told me he had brought a message from God to me."
"What was the message?”
"He told me that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Is it true, Mother?”
"It is true, graciously true. Repeat the message again for me.”
With faltering accents and trembling voice Charles repeated, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Oh, thank God, there is pardon for my sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me—”
He could not get any further. The sharp, two-edged sword had found its mark and Charles Wilkinson, wayward, willful, wicked, was cleansed from all his sins by Christ's precious blood.