I RECEIVED an urgent request, one day, to visit a woman, who was lying very seriously ill at a public-house in the village, the messenger adding, “If you do not mind going to such a place.” I was only too thankful to go to see anyone, anywhere, whom I might have the joy of leading to the Saviour.
Poor Mrs. T., the wife of the publican, was in very great suffering; indeed, the doctor had plainly told the family that there was no hope of her recovery. She was exceedingly low, but her extreme pain was lulled, while happily her mind was quite clear, so that she was able to receive my visit, and to talk with me.
I sat down by the poor invalid, and gently led the conversation round to the things of God. I was deeply touched, and thankful to find that she was most anxious to be saved, and to know her sins forgiven. She listened with eager attention, but could only say that she did not feel her sins were pardoned.
Fearing to tire her, I did not remain long with her that afternoon, but went again the next day, and the following one, and each time spent a little while in reading the word of God to her, and praying with and for her. It was very touching to see her earnest eyes, fixed in such rapt attention upon my face, while I spoke to her of the Saviour’s love. I longed to hear her confess all her fears gone, and to say that she could indeed rest in Christ, for the wasted form and hollow cheeks made me fear she must soon pass from this world into eternity. But, as with many others, the very simplicity of the gospel made her hesitate. The news was too good to be true, she said, too good for her, who was such a sinner; how could she dare rejoice in the finished work of another? I longed to see the look of peace replacing the agonized expression on her poor face.
A day or two after this, ongoing to see Mrs. T., to my great joy I found that she was at length resting on Christ and His finished work—a sweet smile played about her mouth, and her whole face spoke of joy unspeakable. She told me she had not been able to close her eyes all night, and that, as she tosses about upon her bed, “All at once, it came to me: there is only one way, and that way is Christ.” And then she thought how she had been trying to save her own soul, imagining there was something that she must do. “But,” she continued,” there is only one way―only one way. These words came home to me, and, ah, I see it now―it’s so simple―faith in Christ! Only one way!”
“Then,” I said, “I may leave you today feeling quite happy that you are trusting in the Saviour— that you have accepted Christ―that you are really trusting in Him, and in Him alone?”
“Oh! yes, indeed,” she replied, “I am trusting in Him, for I know now there is no other way but that one way, and that way is Christ.”
The heavy burden of soul-trouble being now removed from Mrs. T.’s heart, she began to rally, to the surprise of all who were watching round her sick bed. Gradually, through God’s mercy, she quite recovered her health, and lives now to praise Him who gave His beloved Son to die for her. With a glad heart, she is able to testify to others of the Christ, whom she knows to be the only way to God and to heaven. H. L. T.