Page 96 - Living Epistles

I put my hand into my pocket and slowly drawing out the half-crown, gave
it to the man, telling him that it might seem a small matter for me to relieve
them, seeing that I was comparatively well off, but that in parting with that
coin I was giving him my all; what I had been trying to tell them was indeed
true - God really was a Father, and might be trusted. The joy all came back
in full flood-tide to my heart. I could say anything and feel it then, and the
hindrance to blessing was gone - gone, I trust, forever.

Not only was the poor woman's life saved; but my life, as I fully realized, had
been saved too. It might have been a wreck - would have been, probably, as
a Christian life - had not grace at that time conquered, and the striving of
God's Spirit been obeyed.

I well remember how that night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart
was as light as my pocket. The dark, deserted streets resounded with a hymn
of praise that I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before
retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I reminded the
Lord as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, "He that giveth to the poor
lendeth to the Lord"; I asked Him not to let my loan be a long one, or I should
have no dinner next day. And with peace within and peace without, I spent
a happy, restful night.

Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it was
finished the postman's knock was heard at the door, I was not in the habit of
receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my friends refrained
from posting on Saturday, so that I was somewhat surprised when the
landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her wet hand covered by her
apron. I looked at the letter, but could not make out the handwriting. It was
either a strange hand or a feigned one, and the postmark was blurred.
Where it came from I could not tell. On opening the envelope I found nothing
written within ; but inside a sheet of blank paper was folded a pair of kid
gloves, from which, as I opened them in astonishment, half-a sovereign fell
to the ground.

"Praise the Lord," I exclaimed. "Four hundred percent for twelve hours'
investment - that is good interest! How glad the merchants of Hull would be
if they could lend their money at such a rate." Then and there I determined
that a bank that could not break should have my savings or earnings, as the
case might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret.