IN THE old town of Figueira de Foz two schoolboys had been for some time walking together. When they got outside the town, one drew his friend into a shady nook, whispering as he did so, “Alfredo, I have something to show you. See!” And he drew a small thin book in paper covers from his pocket. Alfredo’s love of reading was well known among his schoolmates, and his friend noticed the look of delight that came into his face as he turned the pages of the Gospel of Matthew.
“Where did you get it, Pablo?” Alfredo asked after some time spent in a still further examination of the book.
“At the fair,” replied Pablo. “I won it in a raffle.”
“Will you sell it?” Alfredo asked eagerly.
“I don’t care to. But what do you have to offer?” said Pablo.
Alfredo drew a small silver coin from his pocket, but Pablo shook his head. A pocket-knife was next offered and refused. Alfredo felt that he really wanted the book, for again and again as he turned the pages, his eyes had rested on the words “Jesus Christ,” and the little volume was, he felt sure, unlike any he had ever seen. He must make one more attempt to secure it.
Drawing a fine, white handkerchief from his pocket, he offered it, and the offer was accepted. They parted, and Alfredo, crossing a field and reaching a lonely spot, began to read. He soon became so absorbed in the book that time and place were forgotten as he read on and on the wondrous, and to him, the new story of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He did not close the book until he read it all, and surprised at the lateness of the hour, hurried home.
From that day the Book was his constant companion, and the more he read, the better he loved it. The Saviour’s words, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)), seemed to him a living voice, full of compassion and tenderness, calling him, and though he did not then see God’s way of salvation quite clearly, he was reaching toward the light. He soon longed to share with others the glad tidings of the gospel, so daily he would make his way alone to the riverside, where the village women washed their clothes. While they washed, Alfredo would read to them, and soon several began to listen, and to love the Book too. Things went on for some weeks, till one day some men came along, and finding the boy with the gospel, took it away and reproved him sharply for reading it.
Alfredo felt the loss of his treasured book keenly, but made up his mind that he would try to buy another. He had in some way found that the gospel was part of a much larger book, called “The Bible,” and he saved every coin he could earn. When he had almost the required sum, a colporteur passed through the village, and finding that Alfredo really longed for the Word of God, gave him a copy in exchange for his savings.
How glad the boy was! How he loved the Book, and pored over its pages! It was not long before he found peace in believing. He still lives, and loves to tell others of the One who sought and saved him.
Has the Word of God brought peace and joy to your soul, dear friend? Do you know the Lord Jesus, the One whom God sent into this world to die on the cross to save you, and do you value God’s Word as Alfredo did? If you turn to Him now, like Alfredo, you will receive a new life, eternal life, and then what peace and happiness you will have! One day too you will go and dwell with Jesus in heaven forever.
ML-03/16/1969