Jenny Lind was born in Sweden in the early part of the last century, and when only a young girl of seventeen her "very lovely voice" drew the attention of music lovers everywhere.

As "the slim girl with the marvelous voice" grew in popularity, she became recognized the world over as the Queen of Song, gaining the name of "The Swedish Nightingale." She received honors and decorations from almost all the kings and queens of Europe, and their nobility, who were charmed with her beautiful voice. Queen Victoria often heard her sing, and twice honored Jenny Lind by tossing flowers to her.

But more wonderful still is the fact that all the fame and wealth she acquired by her singing made her neither vain nor haughty, as may be judged from an extract of a letter written to Professor Blackie: "My unceasing prayer is that what I give to my fellows may continue to live on through eternity, and that the GIVER of the gift, and not the creature to whom He gave it, may be praised and acknowledged."

After a very few years, she left the stage. A writer states: "Nothing is more astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative shortness. She sang in opera in England for only two years, and . . . retired practically five years after her first appearance in London, though she sang occasionally during the next few years, usually on behalf of charity."

Why did this talented young woman retire so early from the stage and public life, and till her death, at the age of 67 years, remain in the comparative seclusion of a quiet English home? The following incident will give her reason.

Sitting on the sands of the seashore one day, with her Bible open before her, a friend said, "Oh, madame, how is it that you ever abandoned the stage at the very height of your success?" Her quiet reply was: "When every day it made me think less of this,"—pointing to her beloved and much-used Bible—"what else could I do?" She had unquestionably found in the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, One who had filled and satisfied her heart completely, so that worldly prospects and a brilliant career had lost their value to her.

In singing in the great oratorio, "The Messiah," the part she loved so passionately to sing was the hymn—"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth." This hymn was based on the words of Job, in the Bible, who said, "I know that my Redeemer liveth . . . In my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another" (Job 19:25-27).

The Bible gives God's righteous estimate of us: "without strength," "sinners," "ungodly," and even "enemies" (Rom. 5:6-10). Confessing what we really are to God is true repentance. Job had to learn this awful lesson, even though outwardly he was a very good and righteous man, so that at the end of God's dealings with him, he said, "Behold, I am vile . . . Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 40:4; 42:6).

Jenny Lind had to learn that too, that though she was a beautiful and talented girl, she was a sinner in her heart, and needed a Redeemer, One who would pay for her sins before God. This Jesus did once, when He suffered and died upon the cross of Calvary, "that He might redeem us from all iniquity" (Titus 2:14). Peter, writing to certain believers, said, "Ye know that ye were not redeemed with . . . silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18,19).

Having trusted this Redeemer who had died for her sins and was risen again and seated at the right hand of God, Jenny Lind was happy to give up opera and entertaining the world, counting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the applause of the crowds (Heb. 11:25,26). The world with all its entertainment and pleasure cannot be compared to the prospect of eternal joy in the presence of God for those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Redeemer (Psa. 16:11).

Inscribed on her tomb in the Great Malvern Cemetery, are the outstanding words: "I know That My Redeemer Liveth."

Do you know Jesus as your Redeemer and Saviour?

—A.J.A.