IT will be, I am sure, another tribute to the loving-kindness and faithfulness of our God to tell of the “going home” of one of His servants.
W. G. S. was born in the West Indies, nearly eighty-six years ago; he lost both his parents before he was seven years of age, and does not seem to have had anyone to tell him of the love of God in Christ Jesus, though he used to say that even at that early age the Bible “fascinated” him. At the age of nineteen he went to India as an officer in the army, and for some years lived like the world around him, though every now and then he seemed to feel that all was not right within.
At about the age of twenty-three he met with a cousin, who was an earnest Christian, and through his influence W. G. S. was induced to attend a prayer meeting, and there an ardent desire took possession of him to be a real consistent follower of the Lord Jesus, and he resolved to go home and ask Jesus Christ to receive him and to make him entirely His When he got to his own quarters, he went to his own room, and falling on his knees remained there for two hours, imploring God to forgive him and cleanse him from sin; but as he prayed, he felt more and more the awfulness of sin, and that to be an unforgiven sinner meant utter separation from God. In great agony of spirit, verging on despair, he threw himself on God’s infinite mercy through Christ, crying, “Lord Jesus, I cast myself on Thee, and take refuge in Thine atoning death,” and “immediately,” he said, “the most perfect peace took possession of my soul. I seemed to hear the words, “Thy sins are forgiven thee: go in peace.’”
He at once sought his cousin, exclaiming in an ecstasy of joy, “Fred, I’m converted; the Lord Jesus has forgiven me all my sins.”
From that moment he was brought to have peace with God, and was a consistent and a devoted servant of the Lord, using all his powers to bring others to Him. He began among his fellow officers, and many were led to confess the Lord Jesus. Also his uncle and aunt and all his sisters. All through his life, this work never ceased, and he will have many for his “crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord at His coming.”
At the end the call came suddenly, but all was peace, and his last hours on earth were joyful to witness. During the afternoon he had many of his favorite hymns read to him, and the Scriptures, which he knew and loved so well. At about six o’clock the last short struggle came, and when it was over his faculties were as clear and bright as ever. He had no doubt or fear; all was peace, perfect peace. Speaking of God’s promises, he said, “All true, all true, ALL true”; with an additional emphasis on the word “all” each time he used it, “Not one thing has failed, all has come to pass as the Lord promised!’ It was said to him by one standing by, “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty,” when he said, “Yes, oh yes, that is what I am longing for.” The 23rd Psalm was repeated, and when the words “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” were read, he repeated them with wonderful energy, and with loud emphasis continued, “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” His daughter said, “Father, the Lord Jesus is here,” and he repeated, “I know it. I know it. I shall see Jesus. He is here. Lord Jesus, come,” This was at seven o’clock, and he then laid his head back on his pillow, with an expression of perfect joy and peace, and thus the Lord put him to sleep.
In his last moments on earth, as at the first moment of his conversion, his sure foundation was the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ. B.