I have been here two years, occasionally giving way to
outbursts of wild despair, that the doctor calls frenzy. I was
sinking into an apathy, when one day I opened the little Bible that
lay upon the table of my cell. I fixed upon the last chapters in the
gospel of John. That narrative of meek patience and divine love. It
did for me what no power under that of God could have done. It saved
me! It saved me from madness! It saved me from despair! There is a
time for the second birth of every soul; that time had collie fur
me. From that hour, this book has been my constant companion and
comfort. I have learned from its pages how little it matters how or
where this fleeting, mortal life is passed, so that it answers its
purpose of preparing the soul for another. I have learned patience
with sinners, forgiveness of enemies, and confidence in God. In a
word, I trust I have learned the way of salvation, and in that have
learned everything. Your coming and your words, young friend, have
stirred within my heart the desire to be free, to mingle again on
equal terms with my fellow beings, and above all, to find and to
embrace my child. But not wildly anxious am I even for these earthly
blessings. These, as well as all things else, I desire to leave to
the Lord, praying that His will may be mine. Young friend, my story
is told.
Pages:
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342