IN the midst of some of those wild tribes in Africa, there was some years ago, a missionary, with his family, seeking to present Christ, the Saviour, to those poor heathens, whom they so much needed. For a long time he labored without any apparent results, so that he was often much discouraged; instead of the hearts of these people being drawn to Christ, they were filled with hatred and bitterness, and often threatened the lives of the little family. The most bitter of all was one mighty chief, who, with his warriors, had more than once surrounded the little house; but the missionary ever made God his refuge and strength, who so far had prevented the worst.
It was, therefore, no small joy to the missionary to receive word one day that a certain man, whom he had instructed in God’s word, some years previous, wanted to see him, being very sick and not expected to live much longer.
Glad as our missionary was over this invitation, yet he entertained very grave fears for his wife and children. Should he leave wife and children and expose them to the surrounding dangers and leave them unprotected among these savages, or should he let that sick one die without making an effort to reach him and tell him of the One mighty to save? He decided to go, though it was with fear and trembling. In fervent prayer he commended his dear wife and children to God, their refuge and strength. His wife was joyful and of good courage, and thus he bade them all farewell.
Had the missionary known of the awful plan which his enemies had planned after his departure, he would not have gone away so cheerfully to bring words of comfort to that dying man. His bitterest enemy, the thief mentioned above, had noticed his going away, and decided to do away with the hated white family.
But God is nigh to them that call upon Him. Let us see how He cared for them:
Toward evening the mother with her oldest daughter sat in the small wood-house heir husband. had built. It was almost time for them to retire for the night. The little girl said: “Mamma, does the Lord Jesus love everybody?” “Yes, my child, He died for all,” was the reply. “For these heathen also who give Him so much sorrow?” “Yes, for those also.” “Oh, if they were only here that you might tell them of Him, that they would not be so hateful and bitter against us. . . Mother, may I pray that the Lord Jesus may bring them here this evening?”
What should the mother say? If the Lord should answer the prayer and bring these wild men to the house and that on this evening when they were atone!
But and if she said, “No,” was she not of little faith and a poor example for her little daughter?
It was only in a halfhearted way she said: “Yes my child, you pray for this.” The little girl was already on her knees, saying the little prayer she had learned, and then added: “Dear Saviour, bring these poor heathen here, that they may listen to mother’s words, and that they may learn that Thou dost love them.”
At that very moment was the heathen chief with six of his murderous companions around the house to carry out their dark plans. They came there just in time to hear the fresh clear voice of the child say: “Dear Saviour, bring these poor heathen here, that they may listen to mother’s words, and that they may learn, that Thou dost love them.”
But what is this; this rough and cruel man who has not shrunk from a thousand dangers, trembles at hearing a child’s prayer.— “Amen!” says a soft voice within the house.
The chief commanded his men to fall back, and he who a few minutes before had murderous thoughts in his heart, asks now modestly at the door if he might enter for a few minutes.
Joy spread over the face of the child, terror over that of the mother; but the chief had already entered with two of his men, and seating themselves begged earnestly to be told something of “the Great Spirit” as they called God.
Tremblingly the mother began, but soon her eyes sparkled, and her voice grew clearer and stronger, until that dreaded chieftan burst out in tears and asked them for pardon for all the sorrow he had caused them, asking them also to pray for him and his people.
From that time on there were houses and hearts open to the missionary, and God also granting His blessing to the words of His grace.
Thus the Lord hearkened to the prayer of a child. How He delights to hear and answer our prayers, too; all the more when we ask Him for precious souls. Fellow Christian, we must be on our knees before Him in prayer, if we would see sinners converted to God.
“For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found.”
ML 02/28/1909