CHRISTINE was a frail, delicate young girl in her teens. Perhaps one might have thought she was not long for this world, but she was ready for the next, for as a sinner she had trusted the Saviour whom she loved and longed to serve. She could say.
“At the dawning of my lifetime,
In the springtime of my youth;
Jesus with His loving accents,
Wooed me to the truth.”
The doctor suggested a change of climate for her, and so it came about that she arrived at the home of her aunt and uncle who lived on the banks of the beautiful river. Uncle George was a strong, well-built man, a kind husband and father, but he had no care for his soul, and therefore no hope beyond the grave.
Christine soon noticed that God was not honored in the home, and she earnestly prayed that she might be made a blessing there during her stay.
One Sunday evening after supper, she said, “Uncle, do come with Auntie and me to the gospel.” But he scornfully shook his head, saying that that was not much in his 14',
“Oh, do come, Uncle,” she pleaded.
“No,” said he, “my boots are muddy, and I’m too tired to clean the and get ready.”
Christine turned away disappointed, but she did not give up. Quite unknown to him she found the muddy boots, gave them a thorough cleaning and polishing, and then she returned and placed them bright and shining beside him. Again she asked, “Now, won’t you come? Please do, this once.”
The strong man looked at the frail young girl before him, then at the boots at his feet, and his heart melted; he felt he could not resist her loving appeal. Though he thought it was a mere childish whim of hers, he consented to go. He went and changed his clothes, and soon the three of them were sitting in the gospel meeting.
The preacher told the story of God’s love to the sinner, that He was just and the Justifier of all who believe in Jesus. The message went home in power to one heart that night, and that was dear Christine’s aunt. That night she turned in repentance to Christ, the Friend and Saviour of sinners. She received the blessed assurance of sins forgiven and came home rejoicing in Him as her own personal Saviour. She could say, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Uncle George, however, steeled his heart against the truth. He tried to forget what he had heard, and appeared not to notice the marvelous change in his wife. It was true of him that —
“At the noontide of my manhood,
Jesus knocked at my heart’s door;
But I slighted all His pleadings,
As oft before.”
Sunday evening came round again, and after supper Uncle George was settling down in his big easy chair, when to his surprise Christine again appeared bringing his boots which she had carefully cleaned. Again she asked him so earnestly to come with them to the meeting. He failed to find a reasonable excuse, and finally was persuaded to go along with his wife and niece and little boy, Phil.
As he sat under the sound of the story of God’s rich grace to unworthy sinners, his conscience began to accuse him, and for the first time he felt that he had neglected God. He was condemned as he thought of his past life; the Spirit of God reminded him of his many sins. The strong man was convicted and trembled as he felt the awful power of this condemnation. As he sat there, God-condemned and self-condemned, the old messages of the Saviour’s love came to him as cold water to a thirsty soul, and as a healing balm to his weary, stricken, heavy-laden heart. He was so solemnly impressed that he remained behind to speak with the preacher, who spoke to him of his great sin and need, and of God’s greater remedy.
A great battle between light and darkness raged within his soul. He stood there motionless, halting between two opinions. Then he felt a pull at his coat sleeve and turning he saw his little boy, Phil, standing by his side. The little fellow looked up into his father’s face and in his childish voice, he said, “Come to Jesus now, Daddy, for mother did last Sunday.” This was too much for Uncle George. The tears ran down his cheeks and he yielded to Christ who was so willing to save him. He returned to his home rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven, a new creature in Christ Jesus.
What a change God wrought in that home! Both husband and wife were truly converted through that true, delicate girl who from all appearances had gone there to die. However, Christine did not die. From that time she gradually recovered, and here our story closes with a happy picture of these dear children of God each living for Him who loved and gave Himself for them.
ML-10/23/1966