Many true stories have been told of animal heroes. The story today is about Barney, the brave monkey.
A rich nobleman had a favorite monkey—a large orang-outan which you know, is the largest species of monkey, except the gorilla. Barney the monkey was very much attached to his master, and to little baby Charles who was the pet of the whole family.
One day a fire suddenly broke out in the mansion, and everybody was running here and there trying to put it out. The little boy was upstairs in his nursery, and in the excitement and confusion he was almost forgotten. When they did come to rescue him they found the staircase was all in flames. No one could go upstairs. What could they do?
Outside they were all looking up at the second story windows, wondering and frightened, when suddenly a large hairy hand and arm opened the window, and presently Barney, the monkey appeared with little Charles in his arms. Holding the little child carefully with one arm, he climbed down over the porch and brought him safely down to his mother. Oh how glad and thankful they all were! No one else could have done it, for a man cannot climb like a monkey, and is not nearly so strong.
You can well imagine how the faithful family pet was praised and petted after that. This is a true story, for the child who was saved was the young Marquis of Kildare.
The story of old Barney’s faithful love and bravery both stirred and warmed my heart. I think if I had been there at the fire, I should have patted and hugged him, like the rest. But there is another story, more wonderful and true, that has stirred my heart more deeply. It is the story of the Lord Jesus, the good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep. Old Barney came out of the fire safe and sound. But not so the Lord Jesus. He went into the fire of God’s judgment to save perishing sinners. He knew it meant death for Him. He knew that only through the death of a spotless victim could sin be atoned for. Yet such was His love for you and for me, that He came to die.
Nor did He die for one only, but for all, so that now all who believe in Him, all who by faith claim Him as their Saviour, are saved from the judgment to come. Now whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)).
Jesus died and was buried, but God raised Him from the dead, and now He lives forever in heaven, a Prince and a Saviour. Has the story of His redeeming love stirred and won your heart yet, dear young reader? God grant that it may do so, for He alone is worthy, “worthy of all homage and of praise, worthy by all to be adored”.
ML 05/02/1965