“Very well! How so? I thought from what I heard you were in much pain and weakness,” said I.
“Yes, sir, that is true; but I am very well for all that. For God is so good to my soul, and he provides everything needful for my body. The people in the house are very kind;
and friends come to see me, and talk and pray with me. Sir, I want nothing but more grace to praise the Lord for all his goodness.”
“Why, my friend, you are an old pilgrim, and I am glad to see that you have learned thankfulness as you travel through the wilderness.”
“Thankfulness!” quickly returned he. “No, sir; I never did thank the Lord, I never could thank him; no, nor I never shall thank him as I ought, till I get to glory. And then—oh, then—how I will thank him for what he has done for me!” Tears of affection filled his eyes as he spoke.
“What a good Master you serve!” I added.
“Ay, sir, if the servant was but as good as the Master. But here I am, a poor old sinner, deserving nothing, and receiving everything which I need. Sir, I want nothing but more grace to serve him better. I lie here on this bed, and pray and sing by night and day. Sir, you must let me sing you my hymn; I always begin it about four o’clock in the morning, and it keeps my spirits alive all the day through.”
Without waiting for my reply, he raised himself up, and in an aged and broken, but very affecting tone of voice, he sang two or three verses, expressive of God’s goodness to him, and his own desire to live to God’s glory. The simplicity, serenity, and heartfelt consolation, with which this venerable disciple went through it, gave a colouring to the whole, and left an impression on my mind which it would be impossible to convey to the reader.
As soon as he had finished his hymn, he said, “Do not be offended, sir, at my boldness: you love the Lord, too, I hope; and then I am sure you won’t be angry to hear me praise him. But now, sir, talk to me about Jesus Christ.
You are his minister, and he has sent you here to-day to see a poor unworthy soul, that does not deserve the least of his mercies. Talk to me, sir, if you please about Jesus Christ.”