His father tried to lead him away, but John continued to pray.
Then suddenly in that hour of anguish the grief-stricken man found his G.o.d. Kneeling at his son"s side, he implored mercy from Him whom hitherto he had denied.
All at once Mrs. Davis spoke, "My son."
The doctor hastened to her side.
In a moment he turned to Mr. Davis and said, "She is better, she will live."
Dr. Gordon was an unbeliever, but at that moment he realized that something had control of life, which could act after science had failed.
He looked at John who had not yet risen from his knees, at Mr. Davis who was pouring out thanks to the G.o.d he had just found, then at the woman who had been saved at the point of death.
Like a flash came to him the knowledge of a merciful Christ, and he joined the father and son in their prayer of thanksgiving.
Mrs. Davis rapidly recovered her health, and John soon entered upon his life work. He received hearty encouragement from his father this time, for Mr. Davis had learned the Truth and found his G.o.d at the bedside of his dying wife in such a way as to leave no place in his heart for opposition to work in His service.
John"s work was among the poor. He visited from house to house, preaching and praying, and extending material help when such help was most needed.
His sincerity and earnestness were the means of bringing light into many darkened lives, and the message of Christ crucified was eagerly received in response to his pleadings.
At one broken-down house he was met by a frail woman who carried a half-starved child in her arms. It was plainly apparent that in better days she had been a handsome and refined woman.
John introduced himself and asked if he could be of any help to her.
"No," she answered, "I am afraid you cannot aid me. I am Rose Williams.
My father is a man of wealth. He is living today in luxury in a neighboring city, and if I would leave my husband I could be clothed in silk and satin instead of these rags, but as long as I stay with him, my father will not help me, not even to keep me from starving. But I would rather starve with my husband than leave him to kill himself with drink, for I love him.
"Drink is the cause of all my poverty and misery. Oh, if Ralph would only let it alone."
She ended her story in a frenzied cry which plainly showed the tension to which she had been wrought, but John"s voice was low and soothing as he said, "Suppose you and I pray for your husband. I have great faith in the power of prayer. Shall we not pray together?"
Together they knelt down, and offered up an earnest prayer. Mrs.
Williams spoke in low tones at first, then with great excitement. At last she tried to rise, but fell in a swoon on the floor. John placed her on a couch in the room and sent at once for Dr. Gordon.
After his examination, Dr. Gordon looked serious.
"This is going to be a bad case of brain fever, John. From all appearances it has been hastened by lack of proper food, but she may pull through if she has proper care."
[Ill.u.s.tration: REV. M. GOLDEN
The Founder of the Greek-Amerikan-Christian-a.s.sociation]
John saw that the service of the physician was only part of what was needed for the woman"s safety.
He went out and procured bedding and food, and his mother sent over one of her maids, also a trained nurse.
Soon things were made comfortable for Mrs. Williams, but she could not rest.
In her delirium she called continually for Ralph to come home and bring her something to eat.
And where was Ralph? For three days he had been laying in a drunken stupor in the cellar of a saloon, but this evening he had sobered somewhat, and remorse for his cruel neglect of his wife and children was finding a place in his heart. He recalled the starving condition in which he had left them.
Perhaps for the first time he began to realize how dearly his wife must love him to give up the pleasure and luxury of her girlhood home for him, and there in that room not fit for cattle, this man cried out in his anguish, "Oh, G.o.d, protect my wife and forgive me."
He started at once for home but as he neared the house his heart was filled with fear, his head began to whirl. Where was Rose? Why was everything so still?
He opened the door and was met by a little girl dressed in white and with golden curls.
How beautiful she was; she ran to him and cried, "Papa has come, Papa has come!"
Then he knew she was his own little daughter.
She led him to the bed on which lay his wife, but the only words which greeted him were, "Ralph come home and bring us something to eat."
He called her name but she heard him not.
Again he spoke: "Dear Rose, forgive me, forgive me."
Dr. Gordon laid his hand on the shoulder of the stricken man and said: "Ask your G.o.d to forgive you, your wife knows not what you say."
He looked at the doctor a moment, then said in a low voice, "I did that before I started home. G.o.d has forgiven me and saved me. But tell me what I can do for my poor wife."
It was indeed true, Ralph Williams was a changed man. The G.o.d who had heard the prayers of the father and son at the dying woman"s bedside, and restored her to them, vouchsafed his mercy to the starving wife who prayed for her drink-sodden husband, and in answer to it the dulled conscience of the husband was aroused.
Slowly Mrs. Williams improved, until one morning she said: "Is this Heaven, and are Ralph and my children here?"
"Yes, Rose," her husband replied, "Ralph and the children are here, and henceforth I will do all I can to make this home Heaven on earth."
The years rolling by saw John still fighting the fight for his Maker.
Out of the grat.i.tude Ralph Williams had felt for the Divine mercy shown him, had sprung a determination to do all in his power towards uplifting others. John eagerly accepted his services, and thus the nucleus of a rapidly growing power for good was formed.
As more and more came to know the meaning of "Christ Crucified," they entered heart and soul into the work of spreading the truth to others and soon a mightly cohort of Christian workers spread over the city.
Individually and with them John labored night and day sustained by his faith and enthusiasm.
The work of directing the efforts of so many, the nightly vigil at the bedside of sick and dying, the continual breathing of the vitiated air of the lower quarters of the city, gradually sapped the strength of John, who did not know the meaning of fatigue when a call on the service of his Christ sounded.
At last an attack of nervous prostration made him realize his position, and yielding to the importunities of his parents and fellow-workers, he consented to take a vacation.
Where should he go but to the broad, sunny prairies of Dakota, to his dearly remembered friends, the Longs and Lily.
She met him with outstretched arms and a glad smile of welcome. With the glory of dawning womanhood about her she was more than ever the "Queen of the Prairie," but by the soft light in her eyes John saw that she was still his Lily.
During the long pleasant vacation which followed, John gained strength and vigor once more, and its close found him ably equipped to take up Christ"s work once more.
Mr. and Mrs. Long were doubly sorrowful at their second parting from him, for his heart had found its mate and Lily was accompanying him.