Long ago a woodchopper by the name of Robert H., and his six sons, lived at the border of a large dense forest. William, the youngest son, a boy of five, was left to himself, but was very mature for his years of hardships. His mother had died soon after his birth, and his father and brothers, who were much older than he, were engaged in chopping wood in the forest.
The owner of the forest land selected the trees and charged a small fee for the privilege of cutting them. William’s father, who was an industrious man, had always made a good living by chopping and selling the wood. When the sons grew up, they were able to handle the ax as well as their father, and prosperity increased yearly in the old log cabin.
Were those who lived there happy? Ah, no: One thing was lacking to make this family really happy. The woodchopper was altogether unconcerned about his soul’s salvation, and never spoke to his children about God, or ever thought of taking them where they could hear the Word of God. Schools were very poor then, and few people could read or write; so the sons were allowed to grow up in utter ignorance, their only desire being to earn money and have an easy life.
This condition of things was so much sadder, since the father in his young years had been shown the way of salvation by his own dear God-fearing mother, and had heard many earnest words from her lips. But for many years he had not thought about the Lord Jesus, the salvation of his soul, or his dear mother’s teachings, till God Himself brought him to think about these things through a serious accident.
One day while he was chopping down a tree it fell unexpectedly to the ground, just in the direction where the old man was standing. Although he quickly stepped aside, one of the strong branches struck him to the ground, injuring him so badly that his sons had to carry him home. William, who was helping his brothers to gather the dry sticks and bind them into bundles, was looking on when the accident happened, and, crying aloud, he followed the sad procession home. When their father became conscious he complained of intense pain. The older sons bound him up as well as they knew how, and leaving him alone with William, they went back to the woods where they stayed for a week.
The poor man suffered a great deal, and the thought of death came with great power over his soul. The sins of his whole life seemed to awaken and condemn him. One thing especially troubled him much-the thoughts about his poor mother, whom he had secretly left many years before, and about whom he had never bothered since. What might have become of the poor and lonesome widow? Was she still alive, or had she died of a broken heart, sorrowing over her prodigal son?
These were sad days for the old woodchopper. The troubles of his soul were harder to bear than the pain of his body. With fear, yes, horror, he thought of the dark, never-ending eternity he was going to enter. What his mother had so long before told him came back to his memory in living power. He knew he was a wicked and lost sinner, who righteously deserved eternal damnation.
Deep sobs constantly came from his burdened heart, and the tears ran down his sunken cheeks in streams. No one was able to speak a word of comfort to him. His elder sons thought only of themselves, and left the sick man to his fate; they even laughed about his soul-troubles and mocked him when he wept.
William, who was now nine years of age, clung to his unfortunate father with a tender love. For hours he would sit at his bedside, and did all that he was able to do according to his little strength. But he was not able to comfort him in his great distress, as he knew nothing of the Lord Jesus, the only One able to bring comfort at such an hour.
Many weeks passed thus in fear and sorrow. Many times William heard his father sob, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Once in a while William would slip away, and fall on his knees and entreat the Lord for grace and mercy for his dear father.
Then his father began to tell him what he had once heard from his dear mother about the wonderful love of God and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He would tell as well as he could remember—for he had no Bible—the story of the birth of Jesus, His life and His works here on earth, and of His death on the cross. Later he told him of the creation of the world, of Adam and Eve and the fall of man; of Cain and Abel, of the flood, and of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt, and of Moses and Joshua. William listened with the closest attention, and the words of his suffering father made a deep impression on the tender heart of the boy.
By and by a change came over the sick man; the expression of his face became quiet and peaceful; at times a happy smile crept over his haggard face while he would tell of Jesus and His love; and his eyes would beam with joy. William was very happy to see this change in his father, although he did not understand the cause.
“O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day; happy day!—
When Jesus washed my sins away.”