“When her work for Him on earth is done,” said Dorothy, weeping with them. “But, Ethel, dear, you know He never sends a burden without the strength to bear it. Don’t forget the sweet promise, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be,’ or the sweet assurance, ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.’”
“Oh, it is so easy to forget!” sighed Ethel. “I am glad you reminded me. I have need to pray as the disciples did, ‘Lord, increase our faith.’”
A moment’s silence, while the sisters, closely clasped in each other’s arms, mingled their tears together, then Ethel asked, low and tremulously, “Nan, dear, you are not afraid?”
“No, sister, dear, for though you can’t go with me, Jesus has said that He will. Don’t you remember those lovely texts in Isaiah, ‘But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.’ I was reading those verses only this morning, and they seemed so sweet.”
“They are for us both,” sobbed Ethel; “for when I think of parting with you, my darling little sister, doing without you all the rest of my life—the waters seem very, very deep, the floods overflow me. Oh, what should I do if I had not Jesus to cling to?”
“‘And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest,’” repeated Nan in low, tender tones; “‘as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.’ I know it means Jesus, and if we cling close to him he will be all that to us.”
“Yes; oh, yes! and you are clinging to him, Nan, dear?”
“Yes; oh, yes! I have no other refuge; and what other need anyone want? for ‘He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.’ You remember that Jesus said, ‘And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.’ I believe; oh, I have not the least doubt that Jesus is God, that He is able and willing to save, for He invites all to come to Him for salvation—‘Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.’ ‘Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.’ I know I cannot do anything to deserve salvation—that all my righteousness is as filthy rags; but He has offered me His, and I have accepted it, so that now it is mine and I feel the truth of what the Bible says, ‘And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.’ Oh, I am full of joy at the thought that I am so soon to be with Jesus and to be like Him.”
“Yes, I am glad for you, dear Nan,” Ethel said, amid her fast falling tears, “but my heart is almost broken for myself and our brother and sister; for we all love you so dearly that it will be terrible for us to see you go.”
“Should we not let her rest now?” asked Dorothy gently. “She is looking very weary.”