There was a firmness, I may say a dignity with which this was uttered that surprised me. The character of the child seemed to be lost in that of the Christian; her natural timidity yielded to a holy assurance of manner resulting from her own inward consolations, mingled with spiritual desire for her mother’s welfare. This produced a flush upon her otherwise pallid countenance, which in no small degree added to her interesting appearance. The Bible lay open before her as she sat up in the bed. With her right hand she enclosed her mother’s.
“Mother, this book you cannot read; you should therefore
go constantly to church, that you may hear it explained. It is God’s book, and tells us the way to heaven; I hope you will learn and mind it; with God’s blessing it may save your soul. Do think of that, mother, pray do. I am soon going to die. Give this Bible to my brother; and will you be so kind, sir, as to instruct him? Mother, remember what I say, and this gentleman is witness: there is no salvation for sinners like you and me but in the blood of Christ; he is able to save to the uttermost; he will save all that come to him; he waits to be gracious: cast yourself upon his mercy. I wish—I wish—I—I—I—”
She was quite overcome, and sank away in a kind of fainting fit.
Her mother observed, that she would now probably remain insensible for some time before she recovered.
I improved this interval in a serious address to the woman, and then prepared to take my departure, perceiving that Jane was too much exhausted for further conversation at that time.
As I was leaving the room, the child said faintly, “Come again soon, sir; my time is very short.”
I returned home by the same retired road which I had before chosen. I silently meditated on the eminent proofs of piety and faith which were just afforded me in the scene I had witnessed.
Surely, I thought, this is an extraordinary child! What cannot grace accomplish? Is it possible to doubt after this, who is the alone Author and Finisher of salvation; or from whom cometh every good and perfect gift? How rich and free is the mercy of Jehovah! Hath not he “chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things which
are mighty?” Let no flesh glory in his presence: but “he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”