ONE cold morning in London a boy might have been seen, ragged and miserable-looking, wandering about the streets. A gentleman who passed him was struck with his hungry appearance and sad looks, and asked him some questions as to his needs. He soon learned that the boy was almost destitute, so he promised him food and shelter for the day if he would consent to attend a ragged school. Although the condition that he should learn lessons at the school was not attractive to him, he was so hungry that he accepted the gentleman's offer. Poor little lad 1 He had never known a mother's love, and his father was a drunkard, and paid little heed to him.
For the first time in his short life he heard the story of Jesus and of His love that led Him to die for sinners. It was so new and wonderful to him to think that Jesus loved him. No one had ever loved him and he received the pure gospel message in all its simplicity. Gradually as the light shone into his soul and he felt the warmth of the love of Jesus it became evident to all around that Willie was indeed one of Jesus' little ones.
One evening, some time after he commenced to go to t he school, he sat in his miserable home singing to himself:
“I am so glad that Jesus loves me!” not realizing that his father was there.
"Stop that!” roared his father. Willie was silent for a little while, but soon, with the forgetfulness of children, began again, "I am so glad..."
This time he was ordered to bed; and though he went quietly enough, the words kept ringing in his ears, "Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me... Jesus loves even me!”
In the middle of the night he was awakened by hearing his name called, "Willie, Willie, sing that again." Could it be a dream? No; there sat his father by his bedside. So Willie sang the hymn:
'Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him, Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree:
Oh! I am certain that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me.
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me!”
"Is it all true, Willie?” asked the father. "Quite true, father," replied the child. "Oh, Willie, could you pray for me?”
the father said.
"I do not know quite what to say, father," was the little boy's answer.
"Say I'm the biggest sinner on earth, but I want Jesus to love me and make me good," was the reply of the repentant man.
With his arms around his father's neck, Willie prayed: "Lord Jesus, this is my father, and he says he has been very wicked. O Lord Jesus, make him fit to live with Thee in heaven and teach him to love Thee."
Little Willie's prayer was answered. His father received the forgiveness and peace he so earnestly sought, proving the truth of the words, "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost," and "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
It was the Lord Jesus who said, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." It has often pleased God to use the simplicity of a little child to lead sinners to repentance.
A little girl who had recently been brought to know Jesus" as her Savior had a deep longing for the conversion of her father. She tried to persuade him to attend a preaching of the gospel. He resisted all her persuasions for some time, but at last said, "Well, if it will please you so much, I will go just once."
His little girl, full of delight, accompanied him to the door, and then slipping behind him, she gave him a tiny little push, saying aloud, "Here he is, Jesus, save him!” Needless to say, that prayer of simple faith was answered.
Do you know Jesus as your own Savior? Are you glad that Jesus loves you? Has He not told you of God's great love that sent Him to die for sinners so that now you can pray for others, and thus through your confession many may be brought to Jesus?
"When Jesus has found you, tell others the story
That my loving Savior is your Savior too;
Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,
And prayer will be answered—'twas answered for you." F. S. M.