Wonderful Conversion of Mary Lones.
We were requested to visit a young woman, nearly gone with
consumption, who resisted every effort that was made to bring her to Christ. We
went, trusting in the Lord for help. She received us respectfully, but seemed
quite careless about her soul. The Spirit of the Lord soon touched her heart,
and she became distressed on account of her sins; at one time while praying
with her she began to plead in real earnest for herself and continued in prayer
until she could say, “I am the Lord’s and He is mine.” A sweet peace settled
down on her soul and soon after she received the clear witness that her sins
were forgiven. Although she was very weak and could hardly speak above a
whisper, yet, when the Lord set the seal of His Spirit to the work wrought in
her soul, her shouts of victory could be heard through the entire building.
She soon began to yearn for entire sanctification, and her soul
was greatly drawn out in prayer for the blessing. At one time we read to her
the fourth chapter of 1st John and encouraged her to look to be made perfect in
love, to believe for it and expect it every moment until it was given. ‘‘Oh! “
said she, ‘‘that is just what I need, and I am praying for it all the while”—
although she did not know the name of the blessing she was seeking. She had
many conflicts with the powers of darkness before she obtained this victory. At
length the all-cleansing touch was given. It was about five o’clock one Sabbath
evening a few weeks before her death. Her soul had been much drawn out in
prayer all day for purity of heart. She said the Spirit fell on her and seemed
to go through both soul and body. She had been confined to her bed and was so
weak we thought she would never again stand on her feet; but when she received
the blessing she not only had the use of her voice, but walked the floor back
and forth, shouting aloud, “Glory to God.” We were told that she had naturally
a fiery disposition, but after this baptism she was all patience, resignation,
love and praise. Her sufferings were very great toward the last, but, not a
murmur or complaint was ever heard. Neither tongue nor pen can describe some of
the scenes witnessed in that little room. From the time that she received the
blessing of perfect love, until her death, her sky was unclouded, her
conversation in heaven, and her experience, although a young convert, was that
of a mature Christian. Her light on the things of God and the state of deceived
professors of religion was wonderful. She seemed to have an unclouded view of
her heavenly inheritance and longed to depart and be with Christ. On one
occasion, when we were singing—
Filled with delight, my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay,
Though Jordan’s waves around me roll,
Fearless, I launch away,—
she raised her hand in triumph and repeated the word, “fearless,
fearless,” while glory unspeakable beamed from her countenance. At times, when
talking or singing of her heavenly home, she appeared more like an inhabitant
of heaven than of earth. She was truly the most beautiful, angelic-looking
being we ever saw. She died in triumph; was conscious to the last, and
whispered, “I walk through the valley in peace;” then pointing to each one that
stood around her bed, she raised her hand, as if to say, “Meet me in Heaven.”
She then folded her hands on her breast, looked up, smiled, and was gone.
Glory to God and the Lamb forever; another safely landed.—Brands
From The Burning.
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