p. 95 | The Lamp Without Oil by Gaussen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1873

The Lamp Without Oil.

By Gaussen

WHILE spending a week, lately, in the society of a great number of faithful pastors from the canton of Vaud, one of them at a public meeting related to us the recent conversion of a lady in his parish. She was one of those who lived only for this world. The thought of her sins had never caused her uneasiness; she was careful and troubled about many things, but neglected the one thing needful. One night, while alone in the room, she saw the lamp which lighted it suddenly go out. Although she was alone, she said aloud—thinking only of the accident which left her in the dark—“There is no oil in my lamp.” The words thus spoken echoed in the room and sounded in her ears, but with a new sense. She recalled the parable of the five foolish virgins who had no oil, and whose lamps had gone out at the coming of the Bridegroom; and from that moment, day and night, that word of God remained in her soul, as an arrow remains in the side of a stag who flies far away from the hunters. It recurred to her constantly: “No, I have no oil in my lamp! My God, what will become of me? I have not thy grace in my heart!” She was filled with fear; then she began to pray, and continued in prayer until God answered her favorably and gave her his peace through the Holy Spirit, and now she is happy and full of zeal.—Gaussen.