SOME years ago, the writer was bidding farewell to a young friend, who was much cast down at the prospect before her of going amongst strangers as a governess. As the train was about to start, the words were spoken into the lone one’s ear, “When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Mic. 7:88Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:8)). A young girl (a friend of the traveler), who had come to say good-bye, was present, and heard the text thus quoted, and the words impressed her so much that as soon as she returned to her home she began to search her Bible to discover where they were written, but, not having been previously a student of the Word, she did not know exactly where to turn. Accordingly, having learned through her friend the address of the writer, she wrote to her requesting that she would kindly inform her where the words were to be found; saying also, that the text had made such an impression on her mind that it was before her continually, and, being often sorely tried and tempted herself, she desired to know if the Light thus promised were a reality.
With great thankfulness of heart, the writer replied that she had from personal experience proved it to be indeed so, and seized the opportunity, thus afforded, to put before the young girl the way of salvation through a crucified Saviour; telling her, that if she cast herself upon Him, and took Him for her friend, she would certainly be enabled to realize the truth of the prophet’s assertion.
Several letters passed between the friends, and in the course of sometime the Light dawned on the young soul, and she rejoiced most fully in the liberty wherewith Christ makes His people free.
During the remaining five years of her life she continued steadfastly walking in this Light, and though brought into deep waters of trouble, sorrow, and personal suffering, she died rejoicing in Jesus, and frequently referred, on her death-bed, to the precious words which had first awakened in her a longing to know the Lord, and that ever since then had been her comfort and mainstay. H. E. S.