CALLING to see an aged man who was ill, in the village of R —, I found a number of persons who had also come to see him, and among them a little girl. I first spoke to the aged man as to the assurance of salvation, and next addressed a few words to the others, and then, speaking to the little one, said, “If you were to die would you go to heaven?”
The child hesitated, but after a short pause, in a sorrowful way, answered, “No.”
Those present seemed startled at the reply of the child. Had it been from a grown-up person, no doubt they would not have thought so much of it, but coming from one so young it seemed strange. Whatever could make the child say No? Surely she must not have understood the question, or did not know what she had said.
From the way in which she spoke, I concluded that the child had some reason for giving the answer she did, and I was anxious to know what was on her mind, so I asked her why she thought she would not go to heaven?
With evident emotion, and a feeling of sorrow, she replied, “Cause I took mother’s sugar.”
Those present laughed at the thought, but to my mind it gave indication that the little child had a sense that in doing this she had done wrong in the sight of God, for I do not suppose that until then her mother knew anything about it.
“Well,” I said, “it was wrong for you to take mother’s sugar, but that need not hinder your going to heaven if you believe on the Lord Jesus, for His precious blood cleanseth from all sin. You feel you have done wrong— that you, though young, are a sinner, and therefore as such could not enter heaven. Well, what a happy thing it is that Jesus died to save sinners. Those who believe in Him have their sins all taken away, and they are made fit to dwell up there in His presence.”
Dear little reader, you have done many naughty things, and though no one else may have seen you, God did; and even one sin would keep you out of heaven. Some boys and girls act as though God was not looking at them; but He is, and unless they believe on Jesus, and trust in His precious blood, they cannot be saved.
Whether you have the consciousness of being a sinner, like the little girl referred to, or whether, because you are young, you think it would be well with you, let me lovingly tell you that God says, “All have sinned.” You are included, and therefore need a Saviour.