A FATHER and mother went out into the field for harvest work, taking with them their family of seven little ones. When the midday meal was over, the father made a ring of some sheaves, inside of which he placed the baby and little Tommy, aged three.
Somehow little Tommy managed to get out of the ring and wandered away. As soon as he was missed, search was made for him, but he could not be found. Policemen and kind friends joined in the effort, which was kept up till after dark with the aid of lanterns; but still Tommy could not be found.
The next day the search was continued. Policemen were drafted in from other districts, and neighbors poured in from other villages to join in the quest which continued day after day; but still Tommy was not found.
At last, just one month after he was lost, his little body was accidentally found in a bean field only about a quarter of a mile away from the place where he had been placed in the ring of sheaves in apparent safety.
God placed Adam and Eve in safety and happiness in the Garden of Eden. But they were not satisfied with the circumstances in which God had placed them: they wanted their liberty; but on account of their disobedience they found they were lost, and thus every one since, has been lost. People prefer to remain in their lost condition rather than turn to God and live.
Did God then give us up?
No! God loved us and wanted to prove His love to the whole world. In order to do this, He parted with the dearest object of His heart in order to save us.
God has come very near to you in this little paper. Beware lest He hear not your voice, not because of your weakness, for the weakest cry He will hear, but because of your will. If there is only the faintest desire in your heart, He will meet it at once. It does not need a long prayer, or a strong cry to reach His ear. The shortest prayer He will hear. Peter said,
“Lord, save me.” The man in the temple said,
“God be merciful to me the sinner.”
“But if you still His call refuse,
And all His wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn,
Too late! Too late! will be your cry,
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.”
ML 05/01/1927