Rosas Quest | Page 5

way of
salvation. Perhaps she will find no one to tell her, and her mother is
almost dead. Oh, that I knew where she lives! All she needs is some
one to guide her, then perhaps she would lead her mother and grandpa,
and even Mrs. Gray into the light of His love.
"Why is it, father, that so few Christians speak of Jesus to those whom
they meet? They talk fluently of everything else, but the mentioning of
His name seemingly paralyzes their tongues. This city is full of
churches, with many thousands who profess to be the Lord's, yet Rosa
in reality has never heard of Him. Every day of her life, as she goes
upon the street, or is in a car, she comes into contact with some one
who might lead her precious little soul to Christ. Just one moment of
conversation would help her so, and is it possible that there is none who
cares? Why is it? How can those who know Him truly be so utterly
indifferent?"
"My child, you ask me what I cannot answer. I spend many hours of
prayer and study upon every sermon I preach, and seek to deliver it in
the power of the Holy Spirit. Then after having cast myself utterly upon
Him, it is simply crushing to know that at times the message falls upon

deaf ears. The tide of worldliness sweeping over the churches is at the
root of the whole matter. Many to whom I preach are saved, but oh, so
few surrendered! They want just enough of Christ to help them in
times of trouble, to make sure of heaven being their ultimate goal, and
just as much of this world as they can possibly carry along. It is their
ambition to be His for eternity, but not for time. Oh, that they might
know the unspeakable joy of a consecrated life, and of leading souls to
Him! After once experiencing it, the charms of this world sink into
utter insignificance, while the realities of the next become more and
more certain.
"The weight of my responsibility well nigh crushes me at times, for the
Lord knows that I want to lead His people aright. How I yearn for
absolute surrender upon the part of myself and of my church! When I
remember Christ's words, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh,' it makes me fear that many, indeed, of this generation shall
say in vain at that day, Lord, Lord! It is a fearful thing for those who
profess to know Him, to go up into His presence, leaving behind some
still groping in darkness because of their unfaithfulness. If it is possible
now for the Saviour ever to be unhappy, surely lukewarm Christians
must pain Him the most."
"Father, I want to find Rosa. If I had been more eager for her soul and
for the glory of the Lord, I should have left the car and followed her.
How can I begin the search? It seems so utterly impossible, yet I must."
"My darling, it would be folly for you to try to find this child, but let us
ask God to send her to us. He can direct in some way. He sees her this
very moment, and sees us as well."
A new and radiant light flooded Esther's face with joy, as they arose
from their knees.
"I am sure He will hear us, father, dear," she said, "for it was by no
mere chance I saw her today. The Lord's directing hand was in it. He
will, I know, forgive my unfaithfulness and open another opportunity.
"Let us sing 'The Home of the Soul', father. How mother loved that

song, when she knew that soon she would behold the beauties of the
place!"
The two voices, the one a sweet soprano, the other a fine tenor, blended
in the old-time hymn:
"I will sing you a song of that beautiful land, The far away home of the
soul, Where no storms ever beat on that glittering strand, While the
years of eternity roll."
At the conclusion of the song, Esther kissed her father and quietly left
the room.
[Illustration]

III.
ROSA'S MOTHER MOVES.
"Miss Browning, here's your steak I broiled fer you and some toast and
tea. I fixed some fer Rosa, too you're so mighty queer, I knew you
wouldn't eat unless she had some. I can't afford to buy her any more,
and there ain't many that'd done it this time. I have to work awful hard
fer all I git."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gray, you are very kind, but," she added softly, lest
Rosa who had run in to speak to grandpa might hear, "if only I knew
what would become of