MORRIS was a bright little boy of five years when the Lord Jesus took him home to Himself in glory. But little Morris did not go to heaven because he was a good boy, as many children are wrongly taught. No, the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” Romans 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10).
Morris was taught and believed that Jesus died for him on the cross, the only way for anyone to go to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
You will see, as the story goes on, that this dear boy had a sinful nature just like everyone else. Sometimes he disobeyed his parents, and at other times spoke angry words. But he was taught in his early life that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, and that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of little children. He believed and trusted the Lord Jesus, so when he did naughty things he told the Lord Jesus, and asked His help.
Now we must tell you a few of little Morris’ sayings which show his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. He seemed to admire and enjoy God’s work in nature. One day while walking with his grandmother, he exclaimed with delight,
“The trees, the birds, the grass, and all the things the Lord made, are they not wonderful!” One day looking out of the window after a rain, and seeing the matchless colors of a rainbow, he said to his grandmother,
“Look at these beautiful colors, God made them, are they not wonderful! God takes His paints and paints the sky. He can do anything. I tell you. I love the Lord, and believe everything the Bible says.”
From a very tender age little Morris had absolute faith in prayer. Often he would stop in his play, kneel down and speak to the Lord about his own little troubles, or ask help for some sick one. When his Uncle was dangerously sick, he looked perplexed at his mother who was crying for an instant, then kneeling before a chair he said, “Lord, my Uncle is very sick; please come and make him well.” A few days later on hearing his Uncle was better, he said with a sweet smile, “Now you see the Lord heard my prayer and made Uncle well.” Another instance, when his mother was ill, he stopped his play to go and intercede for her recovery.
Nearly every day he would say to his mother, “Mother, how I do love you, but I love Jesus best of all.”
His great delight was to hear Bible stories on going to bed at night. When asked what kind of story, he would reply, “O, about Jesus.” He especially liked to hear about Jesus on the cross, and asked many questions. One of the last things he said about this subject was, “Was it not nice of Jesus to forgive that poor thief, and let him go to heaven with Him.”
Little Morris tried hard to please the Lord, and was often grieved at the suggestions of the enemy to do wrong, and would stop in his spell of temper or disobedience, and say aloud, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”
The thought of heaven as his future home was much on his mind before his last sickness, and asked many questions about it. The day before he was stricken, he asked his grandmother,
“Will I see Jesus right away when I get to heaven?”
There were many more sweet sayings of this dear boy, but these will suffice to show how his little mind delighted to dwell on eternal things, and surely the Lord Jesus must have been pleased with such words from his lips. Truly did the Lord Jesus say, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” Matt. 21:1616And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (Matthew 21:16).
Now, dear children, you who have read these words of little Morris, have you ever praised the Lord Jesus? First you must know Him as your Saviour, as the One who has died to save you. Then you will be able to say in the language of our hymn,
Little children, praise the Saviour;
He regards you from above.
Praise Him for His great salvation,
Praise Him for His gracious love!
When the anxious mothers round Him,
With their tender infants pressed,
He with open arms received them,
And the little ones He blest.
Little children, praise the Saviour;
Praise Him your undying Friend;
Praise Him, till above you meet Him;
There to praise Him without end.
ML 07/24/1927