At any rate, being representations of scenes and places in the country where Jesus lived, taught, and ministered in his manhood, they were helpful in a certain way to this new student of the Word of God. The notes described what would be the bodily sufferings of Jesus on the cross. The story of these, following on that of the agony in the garden and the sleeping disciples, the loneliness of the Master, forsaken by every one—even by the boastful Peter—made Adam's heart swell within him, sorrow and indignation mastering him by turns.
"To think of them going to sleep, and then running away! It were too bad. If I'd been there—"
But the words died away. Adam had been going to say that he would have done differently, but instead of these, he finished with a sigh and the words, "I reckon I shouldn't ha' been a bit better. He's cared for me and loved me always, and I never troubled till lately to think whether there was a God at all. And He forgave them. Peter, too—and everybody that had made game of Him, and been so hard. 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' He said it as He was going to die for them, and for me, too. Yes, dear Lord Jesus, I've been just like them all these years. I didn't know what I was doing. And all the while you'd loved me and died for me."
Down on his knees, with clasped hands, the poor striker poured out his thankfulness for the new light which had dawned on his soul, and his heartfelt prayers that it might also shine on his dear ones, and that they might all become like Jesus.
These were Adam's home experiences, and he had other happy ones beside; for the influence of Sarah Evans was making itself felt amongst the children. These no longer went prayerless to bed, and the girl taught them to lift their young voices in simple hymns of praise.
Adam really saw very little of his young housekeeper, for his working hours were long, and, tea excepted, his meals were eaten at the works. Sometimes he would take the elder children out, whilst she put the younger ones to bed, and Sarah was seldom out of her room long after little Maggie went to it. It was "early to bed, early to rise," in Adam Livesey's cottage. Beside, while the mission services lasted, they took it in turns to attend them.
Before they came to an end, Adam found that he, too, could join, heart and soul, in singing the sweet words:—
"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'Come unto Me, and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.'
I came to Jesus as I was—
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.
"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'Behold, I freely give
The living water: thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.'
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.
"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'I am this dark world's Light;
Look unto Me! Thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.'
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him, my Star, my Sun,
And in that Light of life I'll walk
Till travelling days are done."
Yes, rest, life, light had come to Adam Livesey, and the yearning cry of his soul was, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? Lord, teach me what is right and give me strength to do and to love it."
It would be needless to tell how rejoiced Mr. Drummond was at this happy change in the man who had from the first interested him so deeply. He was determined not to lose sight of Adam, and already the striker felt a deep affection and gratitude for the gentleman who had stooped to him as no other had ever done.