before either of us could object, went swiftly on to recount the ways in which He had worked through Hebrew Chris tian neighbors who had continued pray ing for her even when she resented their efforts and avoided them because of their testimony for Jesus Christ. “ But they understood and were not offended,” Carrie continued. “ And when I was ill they came to me and asked if I would like for them to pray for my recovery. I couldn’t speak but I nodded my head. Perhaps they did have an access to God and I desperately needed help. They went into another room to pray for me and while they were still on their knees God graciously touched my body and speech returned. I was full of gratitude, of course, and tre mendously impressed by what had hap pened. I could not refuse to listen when they read me passages from the Old Testament such as Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 and the 53rd chapter of that wonderful book. My friends came often and stayed late, proving over and over again from Old Testament passages, which I can show you if you will let me, that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed and in truth the long awaited Messiah of Israel. And one glad day I saw it and believed it for myself. And when I opened my heart to Him, peace and joy flooded my soul.” Hebrew characters for Deut. 6:4, favorite Scrip ture of the Jews: *iHear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord** We had no argument for that but we did not encourage her to go on. There was no question that she was changed, though. Among other things, she re fused liquor, saying she preferred tea or coffee. We had had liquor in our home from the earliest recollections. I was surprised and puzzled. Carrie had been with us but a few days when she became very ill again. The doctor gave us no hope of recov ery. I had the Jew’s natural fear and horror of death and I loved my sister dearly. Of all our family she and I had been closest in our love and com panionship. If she died I could no longer live in my beautiful home where she had been with us and when the doctor convinced me there was no hope I made plans to sell my home as soon as she was gone. I had no hope left when I went in to see her one afternoon. She was very weak and could not speak above a whisper, but to my amazement she was humming a hymn and there was a smile on her face. Singing . . . while dying! What a revelation that was to me! Her joy was real. There was no trace of a shadow of fear in her eyes. She was a Jewess—but she wasn’t afraid to die! “ Carrie, is there anything I can do for you?” I asked. I had in mind last minute requests concerning the funeral for when loved ones are going to die y t y p ! t i n n
we want to know about it so we can find out their desires for the funeral arrangements. “ Brother,” she whispered, “ if you will get down on your knees beside my bed and accept my Messiah,- Jesus Christ, as your Saviour, God will raise me up.” Her words were as startling as a thunderbolt from a clear sky. But I would have done anything to save her life. Without any hesitation, I dropped to my knees and forced my stiff lips to follow in a faltering prayer in the name of Jesus. I told Him I accepted Him, but it was not a sincere, whole hearted offer. Even as I knelt there, I realized I was trying to bargain with God. Did God hear and understand? I believe He did. Certainly He contin ued His wondrous work. Within ten days my sister was up again—a mir acle of God. She knew, of course, that I had not fully trusted Christ but she seemed to have absolute confidence that I would. She would lay one hand on my wife’s shoulder, the other on mine, and would present to us the claims of Christ from the Old Testament—our own Jew ish Bible. I was not saved, but I was under such deep conviction that I begged her to discontinue, as I could neither eat nor sleep. The old Jewish customs and traditions die hard, and it is not easy to turn from a background of centuries of bitter hatred for an alleg'ed imposter, and at once to ac cept Him as God Himself, and to love and worship 'Him as God. I still could not call on God in “ The Name.” (TO BE CONTINUED) Cling to the whole Bible, not a part of it. A man is not going to do much good with a broken sword. —Moody The youths of today have more infor mation at their finger tips, have lived more, and mentally are far advanced over the youths of any other genera tion; but physically and spiritually they are to be pitied. — J. Edgar Hoover The Christian Home Happy the home when God is there, And love fills every breast; When one their wish, and one their prayer, And one their heavenly rest. Happy the home where Jesus’ name Is sweet to every ear; Where children early lisp His fame, And parents hold Him dear. Happy the home where prayer is heard, And praise is wont to rise; Where parents love the sacred Word, And live but for the skies. Lord, let us in our homes agree, This blessed peace to gain; Unite our hearts in love to Thee, And love to all will reign. —Evangel T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
what 1 have to tell. A wonderful change has come into my life. I have been ill— very ill—hut God has raised me up. And through this I have found the meaning of L ife; indeed, Life Eternal. I have found the true Messiah. He is the One who is called “ the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world,” . . . Jesus Christ: the Messiah, the Son of God, Elohim Himself! My joy is full and I now have the peace of true salvation. Oh, that you knew it, too. I realize what I have done. You may feel you must cast me off entirely. But believe me, Daniel, I have not aban doned my own religion to embrace that of our hated enemy as you may think. I am still a Jewess—but one who has come into her own and found the only true religion through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, the joy of k n o w in g Him. Your Sister who is praying for you, Carrie. I was stunned. Yet even in that mo ment when my world rocked about me, there came a whisper of longing for this singing joy that spilled from my sister’s letter. It was not for me and in my reply I said so. Dear Carrie: I will not try to tell you how your letter shocked me. You are old enough to know what you are doing. But as for me, I was bom a Jew and I will die a Jew. I will never change my religion. But I have no anger in my heart against you. You are still my very dear sister and Selina and I will welcome you in our home any time you can come. Can you come for a visit soon? Daniel. When she came, we saw a very defi nite change in her. She had been ill, but there was a joy and peace and a ra diance about her that I had never seen before. She wanted to tell us about her conversion but I was unwilling to listen. “ Tell us about your illness,” I sug gested. Carrie smiled and said: “ I had a stroke. I was paralyzed in almost all of my body and could not speak.” “ What happened? How is it that you are able to move about so well now?” Selina and I both exclaimed. “ God touched my body in answer to prayer,” Carrie answered joyously and Page Eight
w i ? j | ' n
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker