ON a summer’s evening, about eighteen years ago, in a little village in the north of England, two boys might have been seen walking slowly down a little lane which led to a neighboring farmstead. Along with, them and engaged in earnest conversation, was a man evidently about forty years of age. Let us draw near and listen to the speaker, as he pleads and reasons with his youthful companions. What is the theme that appears to absorb his whole soul, causing his face to beam with love and fervor? Surely something more than the ordinary topics which are characteristic of village life.
“Yes, dear boys,” he said, “it is, indeed, a great thing to be a Christian; how happy it would make you, if you would only take Jesus as your Saviour, now, when your hearts are young and tender, and before you get ensnared with the world’s ways. Satan will do all he can to keep you from Christ.”
“I am sure, sir, I would like to be a Christian,” said one of the boys, “but there are so many difficulties in the way — and I don’t know anyone about here, like you, to teach us about those things.”
“Ah, my dear young friends, the Lord will take care of you, and teach you out of His own precious Word.”
“But I am afraid I should not be able to stand, if you were away from here. I should fall away, and be worse than I was before.”
“Dear boy. He who loved sinners so much as to give His precious life for them, will keep you, if you by faith look to Him. His watchful eye never slumbers, if you have few to give you counsel, you may always count on Him. All who love His holy name have, in Jesus, a friend who will never leave nor forsake them. Give yourselves to Him, now, in all your weakness, just as you are. Only trust Him, and all will be well with you, both for time and eternity.”
His words came with such power to the hearts of his young hearers, that neither could speak for some time, the love of Jesus thus presented fairly broke them down. And when they again broke silence, it was to express an earnest heartfelt desire to be the Lord’s. Shortly after this little incident took place, this dear servant of Christ was called to another sphere of labor, and to this day they have never met their kind friend again, but I can testify that the simple story of God’s grace told me on that occasion, is as fresh and sweet in my memory now as when first spoken. And through eternity, I shall have reason to praise God for the work then begun in my young heart.
Sow beside all waters. Isaiah 32:2020Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. (Isaiah 32:20).