IT was no convulsion of nature, no midnight earthquake, as at Philippi, that woke up Miss W—of the town of B—. But she was ill, very ill, indeed she thought she was dying, and so did her friends, who, seeing her distress, sent for the writer to come and speak to her about her soul.
Esteeming it a privilege to tell of a known Saviour to one in need, I embraced the first opportunity to go and see her. On reaching the house, I found that though, on her mother’s testimony, she “had always been a good girl,” she was greatly disturbed at the thought of meeting God. The waters of Jordan (death) struck terror into her soul, and it might well be so, for she did not know One beyond that dark river who had died to put her sins away. Finding that the wounding of conscience had been already done, after kneeling down with the mother and others by the bedside in prayer to Him who alone can heal, I read to her those well-known, and I doubt not, often used, words in Isaiah 53, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” (verse 5).
I then simply and tenderly pleaded with her to look away from self to Christ, and His peace and healing would be hers. I had to take leave of her, however, without receiving any assurance that the desired peace had been obtained. But I found, on calling the next day, that the blessed One who had wounded had healed, having spoken the word of peace to her soul, and a heavenly calm had taken possession of her once troubled spirit. Her heart had been won by His love, and expressing her gratitude in her own simple way she said, “I feel I could take Jesus in my arms.” We again knelt by the bedside, this time to unite with her in giving Him thanks.
She lingered on for several weeks, and suffered a good deal, and although I never had the opportunity of seeing her again, she gave abundant testimony before she fell asleep, to the reality of the work, the name of Jesus being frequently upon her lips. Her friends, too, spoke of the great change in her.
And now, dear children, a word in conclusion to you. Let me plead with you to face eternal realities while in health. Death is a reality: and you must face it. God is a reality, you will have to meet Him. Your sins are a reality: if you die in them they will rise up against you at the judgment day. Eternity is a reality: you will have to spend it either in heaven or in hell. Ponder these things, dear reader, be wise in time. Look to Christ in faith now, and peace and healing will be yours, and you will spend eternity with Him.
“Man’s life is as the grass,
Or like the morning flower;
If one sharp blast sweep o’er the field.
It withers in an hour.”
ML 03/03/1918