SOME four or five years ago, God was SOME blessing His word in the village of A—, and the surrounding district. How truly could it be said at that time, the kingdom was being taken by force, for old and young, rich and poor, were striving to enter in, and many were saved.
Amongst those who heard of this work of God’s Spirit was a young woman, a servant in a house in the neighborhood. She was thoroughly aroused, and was brought under deep conviction of sin. Night after night she went to the services, but, although greatly in earnest to obtain peace, she found it not. The series of meetings came to a close, and she remained without the joy of salvation. Morning, noon, and night, for two years, there raged within her breast a tempest of despair. “For two years!” Yes, for two long years, for her own lips made the statement on the night God gave her peace.
As the months went by, anxiety as to her soul increased, sleep forsook her, appetite failed, and her friends feared that she would lose her reason. She waded through these waters of soul-trouble alone, for, foolishly, she never breathed a word to anyone regarding the matter. At length her health broke down, and she had to give up her situation and return home; but even there she maintained her silence.
Having a sister in an adjoining town she was persuaded to visit her, in the hope that the change might prove beneficial. Her sister, a true Christian, soon saw what ailed her, and, among other efforts to help, took the anxious enquirer to gospel services.
Every Saturday evening an open-air preaching was held on the Exchange, and to this the two sisters went. The duties of the one resident in town called her home early, so she left her sister listening eagerly to the preacher, with the earnest prayer that the Lord would bless her with the knowledge of Himself.
As the meeting dispersed, those who were anxious about their souls were invited into an adjoining hall for personal conversation, and our young friend went among the number.
Some believers present, having ascertained her spiritual state, directed her to the word of God; but all seemed of no avail, for midnight darkness rested upon her soul. However, the darkest hour often precedes the dawn. Falling down upon their knees, these Christians asked the Lord to dispel the gloom, and lead the truly heartbroken sinner into His light. Rising from prayer, one of them drew from his pocket a small article, and, laying it upon the form at a little distance from her, said, “Suppose I were to give you this as a present; let me ask you, would it be yours?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Certain.”
“Now tell me, what have you to do to become the possessor of it?”
After a moment’s silence she replied, slowly and thoughtfully, “Take it”; and then she broke forth, “Oh! I see it—I see it!—the Saviour presents Himself to me, and I must take Him.”
“To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.”
As the divine light stole gradually into her soul she lifted up her voice in adoring praise to the blessed Redeemer who had revealed Himself to her.
Are you, my reader, seeking Jesus? Be not cast down, although after many days’ search you have not found Him: He is waiting to bless you.
J. G.