Though None Go with Me by Jerry B. Jenkins

love for me.

    When Ben finished, even the young boys remained silent. Others on the platform had knelt by their chairs. Ben said, “I feel led to cancel what we had planned for tonight. Just let me tell you what those words mean and invite you too to stand amazed in the presence of Jesus.”
    He walked them through each verse as Elisabeth continued to play. He explained what it meant to be condemned and unclean and then ransomed by a Savior. He invited boys who wanted to receive Christ as their Savior to come forward and pray with counselors. Dozens did.
    Nearly spent, Elisabeth went back to the kitchen where the team was cleaning up. “That was something,” one of them said.
    â€œI forgot to give you this,” Elisabeth’s supervisor said. “It was on the door this morning, but I was so distracted by the others being late …”
    Elisabeth thanked her and peeked at the note. Under his signature he had added the reference, Philippians 1:3–6.
    Thankful her father had early started her on a path of memorization, she let the verses resound in her mind as she finished her tasks:
    â€œI thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
    What a perfect way to end the day! The spiritual truth of the verses fit with the song she had just played and the experience they had all shared. The idea that Ben was thanking God upon every remembrance of her was thrilling too. Physically drained, Elisabeth cheerfully finished her work and headed for a longer night’s sleep. She was in her nightgown and nearly asleep when her last bunkmate arrived.
    â€œBen Phillips is looking for you.”
    She sat up. “Where?”
    â€œAuditorium. He said if you were in bed to not bother you.”
    â€œIt’s no bother,” Elisabeth said, changing quickly.
    â€œIt’s not that important.”
    â€œIt is to me.”
    She was breathless by the time she reached Ben. “I didn’t mean to bother you,” he said. “You must be exhausted.”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œReverend Shaw and I are not expected in Paw Paw until later, so I had an hour. I should have assumed you’d want to rest.”
    â€œI’d rather spend time with you,” she said. “If you don’t mind.”
    â€œDo I look like I mind?”
    They sat on the same wooden bench where Elisabeth had read that morning. It seemed ages ago. “The meeting tonight was worth this whole summer,” she said.
    â€œBut you’re only two days into it.”
    â€œStill …”
    â€œYou did it.”
    â€œI just played the music, Ben. The words got to me. What happened was God’s doing.”
    â€œWasn’t it a privilege to be used that way?”
    She nodded.
    â€œLord, we’re grateful,” he said, and she quickly bowed her head and closed her eyes. But he said no more. She believed it the most poignant and heartfelt prayer she had ever heard.
    Ben looked at his watch several minutes later and said, “I’d better hook up with the reverend.” Their hands brushed as they rose from the bench. “I’ll see you off,” she said.
    â€œI’ll see you off,” he said. “You need your rest.”
    He walked her back up to her cabin and said goodnight. She giggled.
    â€œWhat?” he said.
    â€œI’m awful.”
    â€œTell me.”
    â€œI was just wondering what I might do tomorrow evening to cut short the meeting.”
    â€œYou are awful,” he said. “But I hope you come up with something.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    A unt Agatha’s letter arrived near the end of the week. After a volley assuring Elisabeth she was enjoying her solitude, she urged Elisabeth to