1 WISH to tell you how the Lord led me. It I was in one of the many houses constructed along the beach for the rich of the Island, where the greater number spend their summers. In these mansions, it is almost impossible to speak with owners, as when one calls at the door and offers gospel books for sale, the servant replies that his master has plenty and does not wish for anymore.
Seeing the difficulty of reaching these gentle folks, and feeling what a pity it was to leave them without warning them of their need of being prepared to meet their God, I decided that although it was rather a daring matter, I would present myself to them as one who had something special about which to speak.
Accordingly, in one of the most beautiful houses, I was conducted by the servant to the drawing room, and asked to wait five or ten minutes until her mistress came in. Looking about me, I noticed what fine and pretty pictures of the Virgin Mary were to be seen in this very elegant room. Most assuredly, I thought, I shall have to deal with a very religious lady, so I asked God for wisdom and the help of His Holy Spirit that the Gospel might be accepted.
When the lady entered, I arose and politely asked her to pardon me for troubling, but the article I carried was such that I had decided to speak with the owner of the house, as it was impossible to make the servants understand its value. The lady, who appeared to be about sixty years old, at first seemed surprised, but she took the New Testament that I offered her, and said, very pleasantly: “It is strange, but this book is different from the religious books I have seen, and besides this, it is not authorized by the Church, and any such book I do not desire to have.”
“It is different,” I replied, “because it is God’s Book, and written under the influence of the Holy Spirit.”
Other observations were made by her, to which I replied that I had no doubt whatever that the Book was divine, and that it would bring light and blessing to her soul.
“No, no,” she answered, “I cannot. I have ‘The Life of Christ,’ written by a Bishop; ‘The Names of Christ,’ by Saint Ignacio Loyola, and many other lives of Saints. Come and see what religious books I have.”
She led me into another room where one could distinguish very little except images, some with lights burning before them. A bookcase full of religious books, and all, she said, had been collected by the advice of her confessor. She said, “You see I am very religious. I do all my priest tells me, and that is why I cannot buy your Book, because I do not know if he would be pleased.”
I felt the burden, and thought from the depths of my heart, how can I teach this poor soul the true way of salvation? How could I leave her in that state without telling her what the Lord Jesus desired was her heart, and not signs of religion. Believing that the Lord had given me the conviction to speak to her, I said, “Dear Madam, forgive my intrusion, but I feel I must tell you clearly what Jesus the Saviour requires of you.”
I then began to read several verses from the third chapter of John, and explained that although this man was so religious, yet Jesus told him it was necessary to be born again. With the Lord’s help I further explained that all was useless unless we became new creatures through Christ Jesus. I also turned to the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, and while reading of the wise and foolish virgins, I noticed that tears ran down my listener’s cheeks.
“Oh, sir,” she said, “are you a Jesuit or a modern Catholic?”
I replied, “No, Madam, I am an Evangelical Christian, saved by the Lord Jesus and washed in His precious blood.”
“How is it that you have this assurance?” she asked.
“Because the Gospel made me feel the burden of my sin and the impossibility of gaining my own salvation. In the New Testament I saw the words, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor’ (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)); ‘Though your sins be as scarlet,’ &c. (Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)); ‘He that believeth on Him is not condemned,’ &c. (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)); ‘Being justified by faith,’ &c. (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)); ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin’ (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).”
After reading these texts and various others, the lady, meantime weeping and showing signs of restlessness, exclaimed, “Oh, how I wish I had never heard one word of this. You have brought such black doubt to my heart.”
“Thank the Lord that you have heard now,” I replied. “If you do not accept this Word, which is the word of Scripture, your remorse will be greater for having despised the salvation that God Himself has prepared for you. The Holy Spirit has been speaking to your heart, and no excuse will be of any avail in that Day.”
Before I finished speaking these words, she went and stood before an image of the Virgin, saying, “Oh! Virgin of my heart, draw my soul out of this state of tribulation.”
“Madam,” I said, “why not go to the Lord Jesus, who is the only One able to deliver you, as He did Peter, when walking on the water? Even His own mother desired that we should do what He commanded us (See John 2:55His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5)). And Jesus tells us to forsake all and follow Him. Madam, I believe most assuredly that God Himself brought me here and put the desire into my heart to speak to you as I have. Accept His invitation now and ‘the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your heart and mind.’ (Phil. 4:77And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).)”
Our conversation lasted still longer. May the Lord bless her and give her the Light which she so much craves. This is what I pray for, and I hope one day to see her among those “washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
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The above true narrative was written by a servant of Christ who labored for years in the Canary Islands until he was called to his rest in heaven, not many months ago.
The reader may wonder why the lady should hesitate to turn to Christ for salvation. But allow me to ask, Have you taken this important step yet?
Catholic or Protestant, educated or ignorant, it matters not; all need a Saviour, and there is none but Christ.
To be born in a so-called Christian land, and to be brought up with a measure of acquaintance with the outlines of Christian teaching, avails nothing. Without Christ there is nothing but eternal loss, and the only way to gain Christ as your Saviour is to trust Him fully, and stake all your prospects for eternity on the efficacy of His atoning blood to cancel your guilt.
H. P. B.