Jim was the bad boy of the village. J The boys and girls shunned him, and not without cause. His language was generally very bad and his actions were little better. He worked for a farmer and looked after his cattle. As the village children went to and from school, Jim was in the habit of teasing and insulting them as they walked along.
Poor Jim! He had no kind parents to look after him and train him, or to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His father was a drunkard, and his poor mother, after enduring much neglect and want, had died in grief and despair. Jim had been taken in hand by the farmer to keep him out of prison.
One afternoon as the children were returning from school, Jim sat swinging on a branch of a tree that overhung the river. He seemed to be enjoying himself and when the boys and girls came in sight, he shouted to attract their attention. They stopped to gaze in astonishment at his bravery as he swung merrily above the river which at that point was very deep. Flattered on seeing the children watching his performances, he increased his speed; but alas, the branch broke carrying Jim with it into the water below.
There was a loud cry from the children on the road when they saw Jim plunge into the stream. A few of them made a rush down the slope where Jim was seen struggling to keep his head above water, and still clinging to the broken branch of the tree.
“Help! Help!” cried the drowning boy, but there was no help near, save the school children, most of whom were too frightened to go near the water.
However, two girls and a boy, older than the rest, got hold of a long board lying near the gate and, carrying it down to the riverside, stretched it toward Jim, still struggling in the deep water. He caught hold of the end of it, and they pulled him to the water’s edge, where several other children had gathered. All pulling tether, they landed Jim safely on the bank, soaking wet and quite exhausted. By this time the farmer arrived, attracted by the cries of the children, and Jim was taken to the farm and attended to.
That incident changed Jim’s attitude to the school children. He molested them no more. Ever after, he was most considerate and kind. He could see from their efforts that day that they cared for him, and this changed his feelings toward them.
In the same way, when sinners, hitherto at enmity with God, believe that Jesus loves them and gave Himself for them to die, that they might be saved from sin and hell, they love Him in return. They seek to please Him, not to merit or earn His love, or in order to be saved, but just because He has loved them, and has saved them already.
I am glad to tell you that Jim is now a Christian, saved by the grace of God, and on his way to heaven. Now he loves to seek out the friendless and destitute boys, such as was, and tries to lead them to the Saviour.
ML 07/04/1965