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Many years
ago, in an Eastern city, as I stood by my pulpit, there came a charming girl
of eighteen and put out her hand. "Pastor, will you tell me what I must
do to be saved?" I pointed her to Christ. I had the happy thought that
minute that if she became a Christian she might become a very useful girl and
woman; but I had also another thought, that she might soon go hence. She
united with our church. My deacons and others said, :"What a useful
member Mary will be, she will have such a blessed influence over the younger
members of the church." |
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Six months
passed quickly by. Early one morning there came to my study door a hasty
knock. I opened the door, "Pastor, Miss Mary H___ is very sick this
morning; won't you come and see her?" I hastened, not mistrusting that I
was to close her eyes in death. I reached the door. A friend at the door
said, "Step right up stairs as quick as you can." I stepped
upstairs. The door was a little ajar, and there stood the father, leaning his
back against the wall, almost convulsed, weeping as only a loving father can
to see a loving daughter of eighteen years old near the |
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I stepped
through the door, and there stood the mother leaning over the foot of the
bed. I believe I never witnessed a scene like that before not since. It
seemed as if that woman was utterly convulsed, looking down into the face of
Mary, wiping away tear after tear, and then giving an outburst of terrible
throes of agony. My eyes rested upon that lovely Christian girl -- so sweet,
so serene and heavenly. It seemed as if the halo of God's glory had gathered
around that bed. |
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"Ma,"
she said. "don't weep so for me. I am going to be with Jesus, and you
will come soon -- don't you see them? Why, here are the angels, and here is
Jesus." A Bright and glorious scene seemed bursting upon her vision. It
seems to me as if it were an hour ago. I remember saying, "My Lord and
my God, is this dying with the love of Christ? Then make me a better
minister, that I may lead more young ladies to Thee." -- Albert. P.
Graves |
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From:
2700-PLUS SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS By Duane V. Maxey |