Life Sketches Manuscript

The Burden Lifted

While bowed at the altar with others who were seeking the Lord, all the language of my heart was, “Help, Jesus; save me, or I perish! I will never cease to entreat until my prayer is heard and my sins are forgiven!” I felt my needy, helpless condition as never before. But suddenly, as I prayed, my burden left me, and my heart was light. At first a feeling of alarm came over me, and I tried to resume my load of distress. It seemed to me that I had no right to feel joyous and happy. But Jesus seemed very near to me; I felt able to come to Him with all my griefs, misfortunes, and trials, even as the needy ones came to Him for relief when He was upon earth. There was a surety in my heart that He understood my peculiar trials, and sympathized with me. I can never forget this precious assurance of the pitying tenderness of Jesus toward one so unworthy of His notice. I learned more of the divine character of Christ in that short period, when bowed among the praying ones, than ever before. LSMS 21.1

One of the mothers in Israel came to me and said, “Dear child, have you found Jesus?” I was about to answer, “Yes,” when she exclaimed, “Indeed you have. His peace is with you; I see it in your face!” Again and again I said to myself, “Can this be religion? Am I not mistaken?” It seemed too much for me to claim, too exalted a privilege. Though too timid to confess it openly, I felt that the Saviour had blessed me and pardoned my sins. LSMS 21.2