I cannot tell you the name of this noble boy, for it has long ago been forgotten down here; but it will never be forgotten in heaven. What I wish to tell you happened many years ago when a wicked king was on the throne, and the people of his kingdom were forbidden to read the Word of God. A company of soldiers with their cruel leader were riding along a country road one day. Presently they came upon a little boy with a large book beneath his arm. Coming up to him the leader asked, “What book is that you are carrying, my boy?”
Looking up fearlessly into the face of the soldier, the noble boy said, “It is the Bible.”
“Throw it into the ditch then!” cried the fierce commander.
“No, Sir, I cannot do that. It is the Word of God.”
A second time the angry officer ordered the boy to throw away his Bible, but he only hugged the book more fondly to himself.
“Then pull your cap over your eyes, for you shall die.” Turning to his men, the officer said, “Prepare to fire!”
For a moment the soldiers hesitated, thinking that the boy would yield and throw away the Book, but he stood firm and true.
Dear noble boy, he had found in the Word of God he carried that which gave him life everlasting. He knew that the soldiers’ bullets would only send him into the bright presence of the Lord Jesus who had loved him and died for him. Even though he was only a boy, he had known of many others who had been put to death for their faith in the Lord Jesus.
“I will not cover my eyes. I will look you in the face; and remember that some day you will look the Lord Jesus in the face too, on the day of judgment.”
He stood calm and peaceful while the soldiers leveled their rifles, and in another moment he was shot through the heart. His body fell on the green grass, and the book for which he died fell with him. Would to God there were more of our boys and young men who are not afraid to stand firm and true to Jesus Christ. We know that times have changed now, especially in these countries of liberty. We do not now have to face the bullets of the soldiers because of having a Bible. But every boy who reads this story knows that if he wants to be true to the Lord Jesus and to the Word of God, at school or in the shop, he will find that there is still hatred against the Lord Jesus, and against His precious Word.
First of all, accept the, Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, and then remain true and steadfast in His precious Word. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:11, 1711Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17).
ML 08/26/1956