I Know God Answers Prayer

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. Thanks be to Him for Christian parents. From my early childhood I can remember a loving mother with her little ones about her, singing with us, precious hymns and reading the Bible. One hymn I remember, "Will there be any stars in my crown?" I remember my father rocking my younger brother and singing "anywhere with Jesus I can safely go." Then telling the story of the missionary, when asked if he were not afraid to go to heathen lands, replying, "When Jesus wants me to go I should be afraid to stay at home." There was a real message for me all my life, in that story.

I remember the Family Altar. How I praise God that my dear father preached sound doctrine. Through my parents, the Holy Spirit instilled into us a belief in the great truths in God's Word.

I was born in Charlottetown, P.E.I., in 1895. To this little island, beloved and always remembered by her people, my mother's ancestors came in 1820 from Scotland. They were many months on the ocean and upon landing on the shore of Prince Edward Island, the first thing they did was to kneel and thank God for their safe voyage. My father's people came first to New Brunswick and then Prince Edward Island.

My own experience teaches me that a child can be under conviction. From seven to nine years of age I resisted the Holy Spirit calling me to accept Christ as my Saviour. It might have been earlier but certain events I can remember make positive it was that age, anyway.

It was so hard to sit under the hymns, inviting us to give ourselves to the Lord. Then one night, when nine years old, there was a cottage prayer meeting at our home. My older sister had taken a stand for Christ in the meeting. Afterward when mother was praying and talking to my sister, I gave my heart to Jesus.

However, it was not then I received the assurance of salvation. Knowing I was no perfect child I hesitated to say I was saved. Then the blessed truth came to me that I was saved through the precious blood of Christ shed on Calvary. "Not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2. That Christ had borne my punishment and paid my debt; that when I said I was saved I was glorifying Him, not boasting of myself. Ever since there has been no doubt.

Some years later in a prayer meeting, I gave this testimony. Afterward an elderly lady came to me and commented, "Your testimony helped me so much tonight. That has been my worry all my life."

I relate this instance now in case there may be others, strengthened by it, through the Holy Spirit.