But now they had gained the hall, where already a good congregation awaited the arrival of the young preacher. For Jerry's cherished wish had been realized, and he lived to tell others of the Saviour whom in his childhood, he had found so gracious.
He and Ellen had made a little home for themselves in Charmouth, and spent many a happy hour together, though Ellen still passed the greater part of each day in her aunt's work-room. Some of their brothers and sisters had also settled in the town, so that they were not separated from their family. And whenever they could take a holiday, they hastened back to the dear home, to receive a warm welcome from their parents and the children, who would soon be children no longer.
Ellen was thinking of the old home as she entered the mission hall.
She was recalling the days when Jerry lay helpless on a bed of pain, praying to the Saviour to give him health, and she rejoiced to think how wonderfully his prayer had been answered.
Probably Jerry had similar thoughts, for he chose to speak to the poor, wretched-looking people who gathered about him of the Great Physician, and took for his text his favourite words, "As many as touched Him were made whole." He blessed God for his theme as he looked at the sad faces turned towards him, and thought of the sickness and sin and misery which marred the lives of these people. Who could have had the heart to go into their midst, did he not bear them glad tidings of a mighty Friend, who "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses"?
Jerry's words were simple and loving. He told of the Saviour's love to sinful man; how, when He was upon the earth, He had had compassion on all who came to Him, healing their maladies, deadly though they might be; relieving their distress, however great; forgiving their sins, howsoever numerous. He spoke of the woman who, too fearful to ask for mercy, had crept behind Jesus in the crowd, and laid her fingers on the hem of His garment. He described the case of the leper who cried, "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean," and received the gracious answer, "I will, be thou clean." And told the story of the sinful Magdalene, who dared but to bathe His feet with her tears, yet was bade to go in peace with sins forgiven.
Then with joy, Jerry proclaimed that the Saviour was still "mighty to save." His heart had not changed towards man; He still yearned over them in love, and pitied their sorrows. He told these miserable folk that Jesus cared for their bodies, that He knew every ache and pain that they suffered, and could understand their weakness and want. He encouraged them to bring every malady, physical or spiritual, to the Great Physician; but with especial earnestness, he pleaded with them to seek deliverance from the fatal leprosy of sin, which worketh death both to body and soul.
However great their guilt, Christ could make them clean, for still, as in the days of old, "as many as touched Him were made whole."
Tears were in Jerry's eyes, as he besought his hearers to come and be healed, and his earnest words were not spoken in vain. The Holy Spirit carried them home to many a heart, causing it to cry out for salvation, and "the power of the Lord was present to heal them."
The hymn with which the service closed was a fit sequel to Jerry's address, and expressed the desire of many in that assembly. The words were these: