A FRIEND of mine was wakened in the middle of the night with the cry of “FIRE!”
Dressing hastily, he ran out to help, and found the neighbor’s house in flames. All the inmates were rescued, except one little girl who was fast asleep in a top room.
Oh what agony the mother was in! My friend determined to try and save her, even though he might lose his life in the attempt.
So he rushed up the burning staircase, the flames burning his face a good deal.
The little girl was sleeping, quite unconscious of her danger, so my good friend picked her up hastily, fastened his big overcoat all over her, and made a dash down the stairs, the fire burning him badly, twisting up one of his fingers.
The dear child was not hurt at all, but my friend suffered very much to save her. Whenever I shake hands with him the twisted finger seems to whisper softly over again the story of the house on fire.
About five minutes after he had dropped the little girl into her mother’s arms, the roof fell in with a crash, so you see she was saved only just in time.
Perhaps like that little girl, you have not known your danger, but have been sleeping on in sin, and not thinking that at any moment you might suddenly be called to die and your soul be forever lost. Only listen to the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It is a faithful saying, a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation. Will you accept this great salvation now? Will you send up the earnest prayer, “Lord, save me"; “God be merciful to me a sinner"?
ML-05/20/1973