INSTANCES of God’s wondrous grace to the sinner are of frequent occurrence, but, surely, to those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, every fresh instance of His goodness is as good news from a far country, and to be received with thanksgiving. And to those who are yet in nature’s darkness every conversion becomes a telling witness to the truth of God’s Word. I write the following account of Mrs. G.’s conversion as another proof of God’s· signal mercy to the sinner, and as a corroboration of His pro mise, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psa. 1:15).
Upon returning home, late one evening, I received a message asking me to go and see a person who was dying of consumption.
“She is very unhappy,” said the bearer of the message, “and is continually calling upon God for help. A minister came to see her a few days ago, but his visit seemed to do her no good, and since then we have vainly sought for one who could give her comfort. Tonight Mrs. G— thought of you, will you come?”
“Most gladly,” said I, “and I do trust that she may receive the truth as it is in Jesus, and find rest and comfort.”
The sick woman was coughing violently as I entered her room, so, silently taking a chair proffered by her husband, I looked to the Lord to give me the right words to speak to her. But a minute was given to me, for though scarcely able to speak from exhaustion, the sick one beckoned me near her saying, “I’m so glad that you’ve come, surely―God―has sent you.”
“What is your trouble,” I said, “are you afraid to die?”
“Yes,” she quickly replied, “for I am―not fit―for His presence. Oh! this fearful agony.”
“What agony?” I asked, “your poor body?”
“No, no,” she answered, “the pain―of this―poor frame―is nothing, it’s my poor soul. Help me if you can, O do help me.”
“Dear woman,” I replied, “you must look above me, I am only a poor creature like yourself, but I can tell you of One who is able to save you. ‘Come unto me,’ says the Lord Jesus, ‘all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ Does not this meet your need? “I do want rest,” she replied, “but it don’t help me. Please tell me more.”
“Have you heard the story of the brazen serpent?” I asked. She nodded assent, and I went on. “Those Israelites bitten by the serpents were dying fast, but God told Moses that whosoever looked upon the uplifted serpent of brass should live. And so it came to pass. You, Mrs. G ―, are like to a bitten Israelite―sin has destroyed you, but God has provided a way whereby you may be saved. His Son has been lifted up―Jesus died upon the cross for sinners―the Work of salvation is completed―look and live.”
“Look and live,” she repeated, while a ray of brightness passed over her poor sad face.
“Yes,” I said, “this is God’s saving way, are you willing to be saved His way?”
“What else can I do?” she replied, “I am helpless, vile, and ready to perish.”
“Then what says God’s Word, Mrs. G— ? ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.’” I waited a few moments ere I spoke again, and then I asked her if she trusted the Lord Jesus—whose blood had paid sin’s heavy debt. Then came another pause.
“Bless God!” at length came from her lips, “I can trust Him! Oh! the power of those, little words!”
“What words?” I asked.
“‘Whosoever believeth in him should not perish,’” she replied.
“And so you can fully trust Him? and believe that you will not perish? and that you have eternal life?” I inquired.
“Yes, bless His name,” she responded, with fervor, “I can believe all that; those precious words have freed me.”
“Then you are not afraid to die?”
“Afraid!” she replied, her face lighting up as she spoke, “Oh! no, I’m very, very happy! I’m quite ready to go. His is a complete salvation. I know I shall go to be with Christ. I long to see Him!”
Together we praised God for His wondrous love in revealing Jesus, and then I rose to go.
“How can I thank you enough” she said, as she grasped my hand, “for coming to tell me such blessed news? The Lord bless you.”
“Don’t thank me,” said I; “thank Him! The work was alone―
‘Alone He bare the Cross,
Alone its grief sustain’d;
His was the shame and loss,
And He the victory gained;
The mighty work was all His own,
Tho’ we shall share His glorious throne.’
And so we parted for the night.
Contrary to all expectations, Mrs. G. lingered for several days, She became unconsciously a witness for the Lord. Her neighbors, who had witnessed her former condition were amazed at the change, and took knowledge of her that she had been with Jesus. Never a doubt crossed her mind as to her acceptance. When questioned as to the ground of her trust, she would say, “I rest upon God’s Word which cannot alter. God says whosoever believeth on His Son hath eternal life; I believe what He says, and therefore know that I’m saved.”
One day I repeated to her that hymn beginning,
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,”
As I came to the last verse she was much affected and said, ―
“Truly His name does ‘quell the power of death.’ Before that night you came to see me, my fear was very great, not that I wanted so much to stay in this world of sin and sorrow, but I feared the judgment following death. Oh! that time was very dreadful, it makes me think of what Jesus suffered when He was forsaken of God on account of sin. I’m glad to know that sorrow is past for Him, and, all praise be to His name, for me, too!”
The Lord took her home one Lord’s-day morning. Very quietly she passed away, declaring with her latest breath her happiness in Christ.
Dear unconverted reader, are you, as Mrs. G. was, afraid to die? Do you dread to stand before God with your sins upon you? If so, I trust that the scriptures that spoke peace to the heart of Mrs. G. may find an entrance to your heart, for your present joy and everlasting good.
Know, on the authority of the Word of God, that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)). Take your place as a lost, helpless sinner, and receive God’s free gift, which is eternal life, through Jesus Christ.
E. E. S.