(Continued from 4/13/1952)
ON Monday morning Bernard started out to find a job, but before he left, Mr. Adams made him promise that he would come back and have supper with him the next Sunday evening.
Bernard found work promptly, and seemed to like it well. He did not forget to thank God for His goodness in finding the job for him, and very often as he worked, he thought of his kind friend Mr. Adams, and he wondered if Mr. Adams was truly saved. "How could he," thought Bernard, "listen to such terrible things about the Lord Jesus, if he were really a Christian?"
The next Sunday, Bernard was again enjoying the kindness of his friend, but he did not eat much. He felt that he must speak faithfully, and ask Mr. Adams about his trust in the Lord Jesus. When at last he did so, he found that Mr. Adams spoke very reverently about Jesus and His love and His kindness, but he always avoided any question about his own sins, and the need of the precious blood of Jesus.
During the week, Bernard took sick at work, and the doctor ordered him to go home and rest. So he had to send a message to Mr. Adams that he would not be able- to be with him for supper next Sunday. To his surprise, his friend came personally to see him, and asked him if he would not like to come and stay at his home until he was all better. This, Bernard was glad to do.
If Bernard had been his own son, Mr. Adams could not be more kind to him. Does all this make you think that Mr. Adams must have been a Christian? Wait till we see.
Bernard became much worse, instead of better, and the doctor soon had to say that he would never get better, but would die soon. And indeed the poor boy was getting weaker and suffering a great deal. One evening, as his friend sat by his bedside, he wiped his forehead and said to him gently,
"You seem to be suffering a great deal, poor Bernard."
"Yes, sir; but when I think of all that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for me, I do not seem to feel it so much."
"It would be well if we could all follow the example of His meek and patient submission to suffering, Bernard. But don't think too much about it, for you had nothing to do with His sufferings."
"Oh, sir, don't say that. Did not Christ die for sinners? And have we not all sinned and come short of the glory of God?"
"Poor boy, you have a tender conscience. What harm have you ever done?"
"Oh, I have done so many things that I know were not pleasing to the Lord Jesus, and. I know that I have sinned."
"And yet you do not fear to die?"
"No, sir. Why should I fear? My Bible says, 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' I know that He came to save me, and I am trustingmHim, and so I know that all will be well I believe he is the Lamb of God. that taketh away the sin of the world."
He leaned back on his pillow, from which he had risen in his eagerness. "You must not talk any more, Bernard; you are too tired."
The poor sick boy closed his eyes wearily but smiled happily. Mr. Adams watched with wonder and amazement as he saw the boy approach the gates of death with joy. Presently he saw the lips begin to move once more. He bent his ear down to the quivering mouth. and heard, "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must' be saved." Then a sigh, and Bernard was gone.
Mr. Adams was deeply touched, for he well knew that in spite of his religion, his kindness, his generosity to others, he still did not know his sins washed away in the blood of Jesus, and he was not ready to die.
With sorrow, he went and told the very minister whose preaching had so disturbed Bernard, and to his surprise, he found that the faithful words of the lad had made a very deep impression on others. "One lady came to me," said the preacher, "and said, 'Sir, if what that boy says is right, then we are all wrong!' " Another came and told him that she had found the very words in her own Bible. And even one of the Sunday school teachers had come in great distress saying that he felt he must not teach a class any longer until his own soul was saved.
Dear reader, that is all I know of the story of Bernard, for it is quite true, and I must add no more. But I shall ask you—Are you trusting in that same Saviour for your very own? He loves and died for sinners, and He wants to wash away your sins and save you right now.
Messages of the Love of God 4/20/1952