SOME years ago a young man in declining health was sent to a hospital under the charge of Christians, whose earnest desire was to care for the soul as well as for the body.
The first attempt to reach poor H—, hover, was met by a somewhat decided repulse.
“Oh, your religion and mine are different,” he said, as if to dismiss the subject.
He had been brought up in the Romish Church, and taught that it was a sin to doubt the truth of his own creed; what wonder then that he was fearful of giving heed to any other. But God, who is rich in mercy, had led this poor soul to the place where his need could be met, and He could carry out His purpose of blessing in the face of every obstacle.
H—could not altogether close his ears to the sound of the Gospel, which went forth, full and free, to all in that house. He heard of man’s ruin, of the lost estate of every child of Adam, of his utter inability to help himself, and of God’s grace in sending His own Son to die in the sinner’s stead. All this, indeed, struck at the very root of H— ‘s “own religion,” for he heard not a word of masses or penances availing aught for the guilty one. “It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (see Leviticus 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)), was put before the sinner as the only ground on which he could stand before a holy God.
Some time elapsed, during which H— ‘s health improved; then came a fresh attack of illness, giving him time for serious reflection.
“If all that I’ve heard since coming here is true, then my own religion must be wrong,” was the thought that he could not dismiss, and he now became willing to listen to the Word of God, and to welcome visitors who would read to him.
When asked one day if he could rest his soul on the finished work of Christ, he touchingly answered: “No, I can’t quite see it yet; but I never had it explained like this before, and I was forbidden to read the Bible till I was twenty-one” (the age he had just now reached).
“The entrance of Thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (see Psa. 119:130130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)), was soon to be very blessedly fulfilled, however, in the case before us.
The dead forms of religion were losing their hold, and ere long H—was resting his soul on a living Christ, and feeding on the Word of life. One who visited him well remembers the bright look on his face when she took out her Bible; H—would at once fetch his own, and listen with all the eagerness of a thirsty soul. He was also filled with the desire to share his blessings with others, and would watch for signs of interest and anxiety in the souls of those around him.
These were happy days indeed, but the time was coming when he had to leave his new friends, and when his faith would have to undergo a severe test.
We must now follow him to the poor lodging that he called home. Only a few weeks later he was laid on his dying bed, in a dark, dingy back-scullery, with few comforts for his poor body, and no Christian near to minister to his soul. But dear H—had still one treasure left to him—his precious Bible, which his sister read to him when he was no longer able to read for himself. He asked so often for the Epistle to the Romans and the Gospel of John, that she, at last, almost knew these portions off by heart. His loving relatives could not fail to see that the dying one was kept in perfect peace, but-they still believed it to be their duty to send for the priest.
When the latter arrived, he very soon asked H—to confess to him, but was met with a firm refusal. He then told the dying youth that the last rites of the Church could not be administered without a previous confession.
“If you can show me one word in Scripture telling me to confess to you, I will do it, but not unless,” was H— ‘s reply. “I have confessed to God, and I have His forgiveness.”
“Then your soul will be damned forever in hell!” returned the priest, as he angrily left the room.
But what says the Word of God about those who, in simple faith, receive the record that God has given of His Son?
Shortly after the above-named interview, the Lord graciously released H—from his sufferings, and took him straight into His own blessed presence.
Reader, I ask you, Was not his a good confession?
A. R. V. A.