It was twelve o’clock of a hot May day in the noisy Southern city. Out upon the scorching sidewalk it seemed almost impossible to escape the remorseless heat of the sun, and so I turned gladly down the narrow alleyway and climbed the rickety stairs of an old building at its end. In a little low room at the top, through whose small windows very few breezes could find their way, were the old man and woman for whom I was seeking. The room itself was so gloomy that I tried to forget both heat and weariness, and put all of cheerfulness possible into my voice as I bade them “good morning” and inquired after their health. It seemed a relief to the poor old woman to tell me of her own pain and her husband’s failing mind, and so I let her talk on, suggesting occasionally little things which might make them more comfortable, and promising aid where that was best. Gradually we came to talk of other things, and then I spoke of God and asked her if they loved him. She shook her head sadly and answered, “No, we are two poor old sinners together,” while the old man, hearing that name which to so many brings joy and peace, muttered over and over, “No hope, no hope; I’ve sinned away my day of grace.” For a moment my heart failed me, but, after a quick prayer for help, I tried to tell them the “old, old story” so simply that the truth could reach their darkened minds. Over and over I repeated Christ’s own words, “Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out,” and then we knelt and asked the dear Father who loves all to help them. Saying “good bye” to them and promising soon to come again, I descended the stair and knocked at the door of the son’s room, which stood wide open. I was invited into the not very tidy room by a pretty-looking woman with her head tightly bandaged with a handkerchief. On inquiring her trouble she told me she was suffering from nervous headache, and, as I know something of that, I was able to suggest remedies which she said were effective. On the bed in the corner, stretched out at full length, lay her husband. The faithful wife said he was sick, but to me he looked lazy. We talked together of many things, and I found that neither this husband or wife were Christians, though she seemed very anxious to know the way. I read to them from that blessed word, the word of which God Himself said, “It shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that whereunto it is sent,” and with a little word of prayer left them, glad in my faith in God’s transforming power.