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Going Away

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 20, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 3.

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“Going Away.”

By Mrs. Harvey-Jellie

KATHLEEN ORME had spent six happy weeks with her aunt in the lovely Lake District, but her friends noticed that she was ill at ease on her return.
“What can have disturbed you, Katie? It takes something to put you out. Do tell me all about it, dear,” said an old friend, as they sat under the large oak tree in the meadow one summer evening.
“You will be surprised when I tell you it is a religious difficulty, and somehow I have been worried about it ever since one Sunday afternoon.”
“Why keep it secret? Confess it to me and forget it. I don’t believe in troubling about religion.”
Kathleen paused, and checking a rising tear, she said: “Yes, Maud, I will tell you. It came about in this way. My cousin is very fond of her Bible-class, and seemed so anxious I should accompany her one Sunday. At first I wasn’t much interested. The teacher had certainly an impressive manner. But on the second Sunday I could have listened ever so long; she talked so earnestly of eternal life.”
“What a gloomy subject! It wouldn’t have suited me,” said Maud. “But tell me all about it.”
“It is just impossible to repeat what she said, but I know this—she made me long to know if eternal life was mine. Don’t look astonished, for indeed I was in dead earnest about it, and I felt there was nothing else half so important. I was in pain through keeping it to myself, and I hoped some one where I was staying would speak to me about such things. They are Christians, I suppose, but they never said a word about religion to me, tho I gave them every opportunity. Then, whenever I saw that teacher, I hoped she would speak. I told her I was going away soon; but no, not a word!”
“Kathleen, what matters! It is the right thing for such people to talk Bible talk; she didn’t mean to upset you.”
“But, Maud, when I met her and said good-by, I felt a word would have been my salvation almost. I could hardly keep back tears. I suppose she really meant it all, but why not prove it by asking if I understood it?”
“Are you still troubling about the subject? I wouldn’t if I were you.”
“No, I am hardening myself now, and I am not well; but when I think of that disappointing time, I wonder and feel uncomfortable.”
The two young women walked home, and other subjects took their attention.
Kathleen Orme listened to the voices around her, and society laid its snares, and pleasure sought her out. Moreover the world gave its best to win her sympathy, and gradually the thought of eternal life faded, and a year passed away.
Then came a serious breakdown; illness brought her to the gates of death; and the cousin with whom she had stayed came to see her.
“Kathleen, may the Bible-class teacher come and see you?” she asked when sitting beside her. “She is staying near by.”
At first Kathleen resented it; at length she yielded, and consented to see her. On the next afternoon, the one who had once roused her attention to solemn realities sat close to her bed, and spoke again of eternal truths.
“Are you really anxious to know if I am saved?” asked Kathleen, in trembling tones.
“Indeed I am, and so I was when you came to my class.”
With a pathetic look the dying girl said softly: “I told you I was going away soon. Why didn’t you speak to me about it? It would have helped me so much.”
The teacher took her hand, and said: “But am I too late to speak now? I reproved myself when I found you had gone away from your aunt’s.”
“What a pity!” said Kathleen, “for I am going away soon, never to return, and I wanted to know more about eternal life.”
A pleading prayer, a few kind words, and the teacher left, thinking regretfully of her past opportunities, and recalling her Master’s words, “Ye did it not.”
Christians, be up and ready to speak the word in season. Those around you “are going away soon.” Miss no chance to help and to bless. The Lord gives us grace and wisdom, while yet He grants the privilege of service.
O, why are our tongues so silent, And why do we shrink away, When we ought to be joyfully ready A word for our Master to say? In prayer let us oftener linger, Till our hearts are filled with love, Then impelled with a zeal untiring Let us work for our Saviour above!
MRS. HARVEY-JELLIE.