"In 1864," relates a Spanish priest, "there was delivered to the tribunal of Alar del Rey by the Valladolid Railway a box containing the body of a man. He had been well known in Valladolid, and had suddenly disappeared.
“The inquest resulted in the arrest of two women suspected of the crime. They confessed it, and were sentenced to death. I was one of the priests selected to attend these poor women in their last days. In that duty I spent two nights and one day in the chapel which receives all who are condemned to die.
“One of the women especially was committed to my care. The despair of the poor creature was painful to witness. The thought of nearing death and the judgment of God—without means of redeeming her crime by some good works—tortured her. In vain I sought to comfort her by reminding her of the confession she had just made, of the cruel death with which she was going to expiate her crime, and especially of the absolution which at the supreme moment she would receive from my lips. All this brought but fleeting comfort. Soon she was again wringing her hands and in her distress repeating, 'Who can tell me if this is enough for the forgiveness of my sins? Oh, what can I do to get pardon from God, pardon for me, a miserable, lost sinner!'
“Time was pressing. The last night of her life was wearing away and the fatal hour of execution drawing near. I was at the end of all the comfort I could offer her, and in the presence of such anguish I cruelly felt the insufficiency of it all. '
"All at once, and without then understanding myself the full portent of my words, I said, But the blood of Jesus Christ must count for something!'
“As a drowning man seizes the line thrown out to him so were the words which had escaped my lips to that poor woman. `Ah! she cried, 'sure, the blood of Jesus Christ must serve some purpose.'
“'Not only does that blood serve some purpose, but it does all,' I answered confidently. 'The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanses from all sin!'
“'Is that true?' she cried. Her excitement was as of one hanging between fear and hope.
“'Yes,' I answered. 'It is the Apostle John who affirms it in the name of God.'
“'Oh, why did you not tell me before?' said the woman; and I was surprised at the expression of calm peace which at once spread over her pallid face.
“There was a moment of silence. Then she said, 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin; but what must I do that it may wash mine away?'
“‘My daughter,' I replied, 'look to Jesus on the cross, and use the words which came from His own holy lips as He breathed His last: Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. Die thus, and none can pluck thee out of the hand of God.'
“Then she threw herself down upon the damp floor of that dark chapel, and several times repeated: 'Pardon through the blood of Jesus, which cleanses! Receive my soul, O Lord!'
“A few hours later I stood upon the gallows by the side of my penitent. For a moment the terrors of judgment overtook her again. 'I have sinned,' she cried, 'and now I am going into the presence of God!'
“'Daughter,' I said, 'you can do nothing; but the blood of Jesus Christ can do all!'
"At these words her courage returned. Her quiet utterance became, 'The blood of Jesus Christ has washed away my sin; Lord, I commend my spirit into Thy hands.' The sentence of justice ended her life there.”
Reader, have you rested your soul upon the efficacy of the precious blood of Christ? He is waiting to cleanse you too from all sin.