A STORY FROM THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Behold, I stand at the gate, and knock: if any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Long ago, there lived in the Highlands a great Duke with a great estate
and great riches. He was a widower, with had only child, a beautiful
young lady, who was beloved by all around. Her father told her that he
intended to ask to the castle all the young nobles for a week's
festivities. He expected that many of them would ask her hand in
marriage, and begged of her to make a good choice.
The time soon came for the festivities. While her Ladyship was
dressing, in preparation for the reception of the guests, a loud
knocking was heard at the back door of the court. It was a beggar man
on crutches. The man-servant ordered him to go away. "Don't trouble her
Ladyship to-day," he said, "she is very busy, and a great many guests
are coming shortly to the castle." But the beggar answered that he
would not go away until he saw her Ladyship. Thereupon the door was
slammed in the beggar's face; but he took up one of his crutches and
laid on to the door, making such a noise that it brought back the
servant, who threatened to put the dogs on to him if he did not go
away. To this the beggar only replied that the dogs would not frighten
him, and he would not go away until he had seen her Ladyship. To try
and frighten him the servant went to the kennels, and at once the dogs
set up such a terrible howling that the noise disturbed her Ladyship's
ears; and she sent her maid to find out why.
The maid returned with the information that it was a poor, lame beggar
man who wanted to see her Ladyship, and he would not go away until he
saw her. Her Ladyship went down. Seeing the beggar, she asked him
kindly, "Well, my good man, what do you want?" He bowed, and then said
"I have come to ask your hand in marriage to-day." Her Ladyship looked
at him steadfastly for a moment, then stepping forward, said "Very
well. Here it is." The beggar approached, bowed low, and taking her
hand in his, kissed it, adding "And on what day will you marry me?" To
which her Ladyship replied, "This day twelve months." On hearing her
reply, the beggar gathered up his crutches and hobbled away, greatly to
the relief of all standing around. During the week of the festivities
many of the young nobles asked her hand in marriage, but all of them
got the same reply-"I am betrothed already."
Many began asking who the "lucky fellow" was, but no one could tell.
Then the servants, overhearing the conversations amongst the guests,
began to wonder among themselves if it were really true that she had
given away her hand in marriage to the beggar. At last it came to her
father's ears that she had been asked by many, and all had been given
the same reply that she had promised a beggar that she would marry him
in a years time. Her father was heart-broken. "Is it true, my daughter,
that you have given your hand in marriage to a poor beggar?" "Yes,
father, it is quite true, and it will be alright." The week of
festivities ended abruptly, all being disappointed at the news of her
betrothal to the beggar. During the year her father often called her to
his side, saying-"Oh, my daughter! Comfort me! Tell me it is all a
mistake." But she always replied, "It is quite true, father, and it
will be alright."
At length the year passed by. No preparation was made for the marriage,
and on the day appointed her father sent for her, and said, "You see,
my daughter, there is no one coming." "Oh, but he will come!" she
replied. About two o'clock in the afternoon, a great noise was heard
coming over the hill towards the castle. Everyone in the house rushed
to the windows, and they saw a wonderful procession of pipers, drummers
and horsemen, in large numbers. Up to the front door of the castle came
a guard of prancing horsemen, who lined both sides of the avenue.
Wheeling around, they drew up, each horse facing the other and forming
a guard of honour. Then, last of all, came a beautiful prancing steed,
with a noble rider on its back. On reaching the steps leading to the
doorway of the castle, this rider threw himself from the saddle, ran up
the steps, and embraced his beloved. Who was he? The King's son! Twelve
months before he had disguised himself as a poor beggar, and came in
that way lest he should he too late. Recognising his eyes, she knew who
he was, and kept his secret.
Behold, I stand at the gate, and
knock: if any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Who is standing at your heart's door as you read this booklet? A
beggar! One of whom it was said, "The foxes have holes and the birds of
the air nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lie his head."
(Matthew 8:20) A man whose face was more marred than any man (Isaiah
52:14) A beggar asking admission to your heart's door tonight, seeking
admission. If your soul gives Him, as it were, its hand in marriage, He
will make you a Queen…for Christ is King of Kings and Lord of
Lords! The Bible says: "Believe in [lean fully upon] the Lord Jesus:
and thou shalt be saved…" (Acts 16:31) Why not you? Why not now?
THE END
Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland