BESSIE’S home was in a large seaport town. Her parents, though they knew of the way of salvation, were far too much taken up with the cares of this life to concern themselves about the things of eternity, and so Bessie grew up without anyone to lead her in the way of peace. She was thoughtful and amiable, and most dutiful to her parents, whose many cares she endeavored to lighten by every means in her power. From a child she had had frequent and serious thoughts of eternity and her soul’s salvation, and, though she never spoke of it, she had an intense longing for peace with God. As time ran on this desire increased, and when she was about fifteen years old she began to attend a place of worship in her neighborhood. Its showy ritual had a great attraction for the young girl, and she hoped that by following all the teachings she heard she might obtain the rest of soul she so ardently desired. She soon became acquainted with the priest of this church, and he was much interested in the earnest girl who sought help and counsel from him; but, alas! it was but the blind leading the blind. He spoke of Christ, and of His atoning grace, but he spoke, too, of ceremonies and sacraments as if of equal importance. Long and patiently did poor Bessie try to work her way into God’s favor. She diligently performed every rite; she fasted often, attended confession regularly, and was in her place at every service, but no peace came— the same unsatisfied longing still remained.
But all this time a Father’s eye of love was watching over this young seeker after Him. He had implanted in her soul these longing desires for pardon and peace, and He would certainly satisfy them in His own time. Several years passed, and poor Bessie was asked to take charge of some little girls. She accepted the situation, and soon found herself in a happy Christian home. Mrs. D., the children’s mother, earnestly desired to see all around her rejoicing in the knowledge of full and free salvation which so gladdened her own heart. She carefully avoided anything like pressure in her dealings with the earnest but mistaken girl, whom she felt the Lord had sent to her for guidance. She never opposed any obstacle to her practicing the religious observances which she had been taught to believe were acceptable to God, though she faithfully warned her of the danger of trusting to anything but the finished work of Christ for salvation. Very wisely was this Christian lady enabled to deal with Bessie, and a quiet remark of hers was the first thing which shook Bessie’s confidence in her efforts to satisfy God.
“Bessie,” she said, “do you confess your sins to God every night, and seek His forgiveness?”
“Yes; certainly,” was the immediate reply.
“Then you do not believe He does forgive you, although you go to Him? for you take the same sins to your priest every fortnight to get his pardon, or God’s pardon through him. Can you think this right?”
Bessie said nothing, but the shaft had struck home. After this, Bessie one day heard the gospel freely and fully proclaimed by one who earnestly longed to win souls for Christ. Bessie felt that what was said was the truth of God. But the time was not yet come for peace to flow into her soul.
Two years passed, and Bessie’s longings for peace were still unsatisfied. She again and again heard the blessed news of salvation proclaimed, but, though she acknowledged the truth of what she heard, she could not realize that it was indeed for her that the Son of God had died.
At length the day came when Bessie could say, “My hands were too full of ceremonies and forms to lay hold of Christ. It is only empty hands that can grasp Him.” She had learned to know Christ as her Saviour—the One who had put away her sins on the cross. She saw that salvation was entirely outside herself; that her sin and ruin were her only claim on God’s mercy. With empty hands she now grasped the Saviour, who had already grasped her, with a hold that would never let go. Joy now filled her soul, praise to God rose from her heart, where the peace she had so long sought in vain was at length established, and now, with joyful step, she is treading the path to glory, seeking to know more of Him who gave His life for sinners.