I was lonely and sad. Everything about me seemed dark and desolate, and my soul was cast down. I had forgotten the admonition: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.”
Suddenly, out of the deep silence and solitariness of that sad evening, came the sounds of sweetest melody. It was a street organ played by a young boy. I went out to give him a little money.
What an intelligent face was his, and at the same time those large dark eyes which he turned upon me, what a story of need and sorrow they told!
He is hungry, I said to myself, and placing bread and meat on a plate, I added a booklet which was lying on the table. I handed it all to him without any courage to say a word. Yet he deeply interested me, and as I watched him eating from behind the window where I sat, repeatedly my heart went up to God in prayer that the booklet might be used for his salvation. After eating, which was quickly done, he took up the booklet, read its title, “How to become a Christian,” and put it carefully away in his pocket.
Several years had passed, and the terrible war had broken out with its tale of sorrows and distresses, so my little organ grinder had passed out of my mind.
Sometime after I went to visit a hospital where the wounded were cared for. The surgeon was making his rounds. Silent and sad he stood by one of the wounded, holding his wrist and counting his pulse which was growing weaker. I stopped to look at the patient. He was a very young man; his eyes were closed and the seal of death was on his face. At the same moment the chaplain came and leaned over the dying man, anxious to know if he still breathed. All at once the young man opened his eyes and asked,
“Am I going to die?” The chaplain, looking sad, made no answer.
“O, don’t be afraid to tell me. I am ready.” “I cannot say, my young friend,” said the chaplain, “but do you know the Savior of sinners? Do you love the Lord Jesus?”
“Yes, yes, I have just seen Him. I am not wandering. I must tell you before I go.”
“Have you a mother? Can I do anything for you?”
“Yes, sir, but she is not here. I am going to be with her soon; she is in heaven. But I have a young sister. Poor child, she will be lonely now. But I have committed her to the Lord, and He will not forsake her. I would like to send her a few things,” he made a special effort and drew from his pillow a purse, with a few gold pieces, then a Bible, a photograph, and a booklet quite worn, its cover soiled with blood.
“This booklet,” he said, “brought salvation also to my mother. Long ago, I was only a poor organ grinder, and I tried to care for my sick mother and sister. We were very miserable then, when a good lady gave me this little book. O, how glad my mother was when I read it to her! No one had ever given us anything to show us the way of salvation. No one had ever talked to us about that precious Savior who died upon the cross for our sins. The dear lady, we prayed for her every day. How I did long to see her again.”
I drew nearer to catch every word from the lips of the dying man, for I had recognized in him the organ grinder who had once cheered my depressed spirit.
I could no longer restrain myself, and I sobbed aloud. It roused the dying man, and looking at me, he recognized me.
Astonished, but unable to move, he said slowly, “I thank Thee, Lord; I know Thou hearest prayer.”
Brothers, sisters, Christian friends, scatter the good news of salvation. Sooner or later you shall see it bearing fruit, and joy unspeakable shall be yours.