WHEN I was a little girl of seven I went to the annual Sunday school treat in the old schoolhouse with its thatched roof and its plain white-washed walls. I went there accompanied by my faithful dog Frisk, who waited for me and guarded me safely home in the clear moonlight. That was the night in which I was first made to wish that I was saved. A number of young men, all newly converted, came to address us that night, and they set before us the happiness of being saved in early life. These impressions never left me. For a time I tried to forget my need of a Saviour, but was never at rest until I knew that Jesus was mine.
Five years rolled on and I was still unsaved. Then New Year’s Day was on a Sunday, and there was a gospel meeting at the old schoolhouse. I sat there by my mother’s side listening to the gospel message. It was a solemn meeting. The preacher warned us against putting off the time of salvation to a more convenient season. He told of some who had trifled with God’s message, neglecting God’s salvation, and who were taken out of this world very suddenly.
I was deeply impressed. My mother, who was an earnest Christian, whispered to me: “Jeanie, it can be tonight or it may be never.” I felt that that was true. I was like one at the parting of the ways. It must be Christ or the world. I waited for the after meeting, and one who watched for souls spoke to me lovingly and earnestly, putting before me the gospel, which I had known in my head all my days. Now I knew my need of it, knew I was a perishing sinner, and that I must be saved or go to the pit forever. We sat for a long time, and many were praying for my deliverance. Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) was read to me: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way,” and I fully owned that these words were true of me.
“Then let us read on,” said the man of God as he read— “And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” I saw as I had never seen before, that the death of Jesus on Calvary was for me — that by His death my sins were put away.
Oh, what a journey home we had that night. The very heavens seemed to be singing. I know I was; so was my dear mother. So well we might, for that was the night of my second birth.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,53Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5).
Twenty years have passed, and I am now a mother with a little girl of my own. We sat together in the old schoolhouse, and I could not help asking God that He would make the place of my conversion the place of salvation to my dear Sally for whose early conversion I longed and prayed for above all else. God gave me my heart’s desire, for on that New Year’s night Sally was saved and is now a happy follower of the Lord. Praise His name!
Dear young friends, I can testify to the blessedness of being saved in early years. Come to the Saviour now while you are young. Confess Him as your Saviour and Lord, and go happily on your way to heaven.
ML-06/21/1964