"I was searching for the answer that would he more satisfying than church activities.”
streetcar. I was crying but happy and assured that I was doing right. I had a job decorating china so I was not afraid of hunger or want. On the streetcar sat a little woman in a grey uniform. When she saw me she moved to the seat beside me. She asked, “Aren’t you the girl who was so gloriously converted in the church a few nights ago?” I said I was. Then she invited me to go home with her and have lunch. She said, “I want to talk to you.” She was an officer in the Volunteers of America and had a home for neglected court and welfare chil dren. I went with her. The helpless, sad little ones touched my heart and before long she had persuaded me to stay with her to help in the meetings and with the children. From there I entered the officer’s training school and became a com missioned officer. That was 54 years ago, and God has guided and guard ed me every step of the way. My Lord made it very plain to me that I must go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in. He has given me for my hire hundreds of precious souls in pris ons, houses of ill fame, dope dens, rescue homes, slums, street corners and mission halls. He always gave me the message that suited the need of hungry hearts, and a keen, last ing joy through all the years that satisfied every need, and the com forting assurance that all my sins had been blotted out never to be remembered against me any more. He loved me enough to give His life on the cross to cover my sins and rose again to assure me of ever lasting life. END.
my mother if I might go to the prayer meeting. She emphatically said.no. I had never disobeyed my mother deliberately but I had to go, this I knew. I went to my older brother’s home and explained my desire to him, saying “If I don’t go tonight I may never have another chance.” He said: “Then go, Sis.” I ran all the way there, a mile and a half. The meeting was nearly over. The minister was giving the altar call for sinners to repent and be bom again. I ran up the aisle and knelt at the altar. The friend who had called knelt beside me to pray for me and explain the way of salvation. So simple, so plain. I could be saved just by believing that Jesus had atoned for my sin and by accepting Him as my Sav iour. As I prayed the gates of Heav en seemed to open and I heard my blessed Lord speaking to my heart: “I came that you might have life, only believe.” I had truly been bom again and I knew it. I walked home and sat on the porch all night. My mother came to the door in the morning and startled me by saying, “Why are you sitting out there?” And as I turned, 'she said, “You went to church and yop have been saved.” A family council was formed and a few days later I was told I must give up this crazy religion or leave home. They said it was a disgrace to the family. I knew I could not give up the wonderful knowledge of salvation. I had never been away from home overnight. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but I knew that God would take care of me. I packed a bag and got on the
got down the old family Bible. In those days little children didn’t have their own precious Bibles as they do today. I prayed earnestly from my heart that God would help me. I didn’t know specifically what to ask Him for but I had a need. The pages fell open to the Book of St. John, the third chapter. As I read “Ye must be bom again,” I knew that minute God was reveal ing the way to me. He knew what I needed more than I knew myself. I didn’t know what it meant to be bom again. But I knew that was the key and my heart was pound ing. Eagerly I read on, searching for a clue, for understanding. Then, the 16th verse thrilled me through and through. It said “God so loved.” I needed that, my heart was so empty, so hungry. God loved me. What a feeling of joy and assur ance that gave me. I knew that I must find the way to be bom again and learn what was meant by: “Whosoever b e lie v e th in h im should not perish, but have ever lasting life.” I closed the dear old Book and went to bed. I felt com forted and a sense of quietness soothed my troubled heart. The very next day a long-time friend of my parents came to visit. He invited them to attend the prayer meeting that night at the Methodist church in preparation for the coming evangelistic meet ings. They politely told him that they didn’t believe in that type of religion — the kind that made the people shout and teach salvation now. I knew that God had planned this visit. Towards evening I asked
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The King's Business
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