NELLIE was one of the brightest girls in the school. A general favorite with her brothers at home, and with the girls in her class, sunshine seemed to ripple perpetually on her brow. To see her in her happy home, with her kitten playmates, made a sight for any artist’s eye, and yet Nellie was not always happy. Favored with a converted preacher in the little chapel near, and a converted teacher in the day school, who not merely sought the mental and moral, but higher spiritual welfare of the pupils under his charge, Nellie had learned that,
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)), and that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom, 6:23). Hence after the mirth of the day was past she might have been found with the tear in her eye, and the burden at her heart, wondering how she might get the great question of sin settled.
I hope you have felt the same, for there is little chance of anyone being saved until they realize they are “lost” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)).
Mother never sends for the doctor for you till you are ill; the firemen are never summoned until there is the appearance, at least, of fire; the lifebelt is only thrown to those in danger of drowning. So with salvation. The great Physician is for the sin-sick soul; the Rescuer is for those in danger of “the wrath to come,” the Gospel is for the perishing.
Have you, like Nellie, got thus far? Do you own that you are a lost, guilty sinner, deserving nothing but “eternal doom”? if so, listen how Nellie got saved.
Again and again the teacher had placed the way of salvation before his earnest pupil. Nellie read that “the just shall live by faith’ (Rom. 1:1717For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)). She knew that the Bible said, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephes. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)); that Jesus Himself had said,
Her mother commissioned Nellie to make a few purchases at the store on the road from school, giving her some silver coins to pay for the goods. Not being accustomed to handle so much money, Nellie thought it best to ask the teacher to take charge of it till school hours were past. Approaching the desk, and laying down the money, she made her request.
“But, Nellie,” said the teacher; “can you trust me with so much?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Had you not better get two of the other girls to witness that I have received the money?”
“No, sir, I can trust you with it.”
“Then, Nellie, if Jesus had been your Teacher, would you also have trusted Him?”
“Certainly, sir.”
“Well, Nellie, if you could trust Him with the silver coins, could you not trust Him with your soul?”
“Yes, sir, I could.”
“Now, Nellie,” continued the soul-winning teacher, “as you have trusted me just now with your money, will you not trust the great Saviour, who loved you and gave Himself for you, with your precious soul? Will you do so just now?” A moment’s pause, then the anxious girl quietly replied,
“Yes, sir, I could trust Him, I will trust Him.”
A little more conversation, then a steady routine of lessons, then home; but Nellie never forgot the real joy of that night, as again and again she hummed to herself the little verse:
“Jesus, I will trust Thee!
Trust Thee with my soul;
Guilty, lost, and helpless,
Thou canst make me whole.”
Perhaps your name is not Nellie, but you are a sinner and need salvation.
Think of Jesus dying on the Cross of Calvary in agony and shame for you; hear His triumphant cry at last, “It is finished” (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)). Finished for you. In view of such love, such agony, and such a mighty triumph, will you just now say,
“I will trust, and not be afraid”? Remember, “None perish who Him trust.” Hundreds upon hundreds of boys and girls have accepted the invitation of the Lord Jesus:
“Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)), and are living saved and happy lives. Will you trust Him now, and happy be?
ML 06/27/1937