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When
Christ was twelve years old, he said to his parents, "I must be about my
Father's business." |
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In the
winter of 1860, while I was holding a meeting near |
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"Mr.
Earle, I came up here to give my heart to Jesus. I feel that I am a great
sinner. Will you pray for me?" |
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I said,
"I will pray for you, and I can pray in faith if you see that you are a
sinner; for Jesus died for sinners." |
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After
pointing out the way of salvation, I asked her if she would kneel down by my
side and pray for herself, and, as far as she knew, give herself to Jesus, to
be his forever. |
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She said,
"I will; for I am a great sinner." |
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Could one
so young, and kind to everybody, be a great sinner? Yes, because she had
rejected the Saviour until she was twelve years old; and when the Holy Spirit
had knocked at the door of her heart, she had said, "No, not yet. Go thy
way for this time." |
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We kneeled
down, and after I had prayed, she said: |
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"Jesus,
take me just as I am. I give myself to thee forever. I will love and serve
thee all my life." |
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The door
of her heart was now open, and Jesus entered and took possession. The tears
were gone from her face, which was now covered with smiles. And I believe
holy angels in that room witnessed the transfer of her heart to Jesus, and
then went back to heaven to join in songs of thanksgiving; for "joy
shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." |
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Ella then
went down stairs, her face beaming with joy as she thought of her new
relation to Jesus, and said to her mother: |
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"I
have given myself to Jesus, and he has received me. Oh, I am so happy!" |
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Little did
we think that in a few days she would be walking the "golden
streets" with the blood-washed throng. |
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Like the
Redeemer, who, when at her age, said to his mother, "Wist ye not that I
must be about my Father's business?" she seemed to long to be doing good.
Reader, will you do the same, now? -- A. B. Earle, From: "Incidents Used
... In His Meetings," published in 1888 |
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From:
SELECTED SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS From The Writings of Absalom Backas (A.B.)
Earle And The Writings of J. Wilbur Chapman |