Jesus is a precious Saviour and sweet Consoler to those who are alone, friendless and dying. This was proved by a young girl named Eliza who received the knowledge of the forgiveness of her sins in a Sunday School with which I was connected for some time. The reality of Eliza's conversion was shown by her holy, consistent walk and desire to do those things which pleased the Lord Jesus. Although we can do nothing to earn salvation, God expects those who are saved, to walk before Him as "dear children," and He has written to tell those who "have believed in God" to be "careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8).

This young girl sought to please the Lord Jesus, and I trust all my readers who believe in Him will seek to do so too.

The girl of whom I write was a servant, and she showed by her ways that she was the Lord's own child. As no one but God can look into our hearts, we can only convince others by our ways that we are children of God; for the Bible says, "by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20).

A servant who understood this so brought the Lord Jesus into all her work, that as she was brushing out a room she would say "Lord Jesus, clean out the corners of my heart, as I do the corners of this room." You may be sure there was not much dust left in that room. Thus we read in the Bible, "Whatsoever ye do"—not only visiting the sick, caring for the poor, giving away tracts, teaching in the Sunday School—but, "whatsoever" we do; this embraces all the little details of life; we are told to "do heartily, as unto the Lord and not to men; Knowing that of the Lord, we shall receive the reward of the inheritance" (Col. 3:23,24). How sweet to hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:23)!

The young girl I am writing about sought to do this; but after a time, I am sorry to tell you, she became ill of a very infectious disease and had to be taken away to the hospital where none but strangers surrounded her, and she was cut off from all company with friends. But there was one Friend "Who sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24), and who could not be kept at a distance. Amidst all her weakness and loneliness, Eliza found Jesus near—"a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1), and the comfort she found in His presence was the joy of her heart.

Gradually she grew weaker, and at last her ransomed spirit, like a bird loosed from its cage, passed into the presence of the One who had loved her and given Himself for her.

Just before she died, the nurses gathered around her bed and marveled at what grace had done, as they heard in clear, distinct tones, uttered by that dying girl, these words:

"Christ died, then I am clean,
Not a cloud above,
Not a spot within—"

Can you, dear reader, truthfully speak such words as you look up to heaven?

To all my young readers, who are saved, I would put the question, "How are you using your time, your talents, your opportunities?"

You must remember, "You are not your own . . . ye are bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:19,20); therefore, you are to glorify God in your body and seek in some way or other to serve the Saviour who loves you.

—Selected