A GROUP of merry school children at play were startled by a loud cry of distress from a hidden part of the playground, where a number of little boys had been amusing themselves. Running to the place, they were shocked to find that a little fellow of about seven years of age had fallen heavily on the edge of the granite wall, and had received a bad wound on the head. Very tenderly the elder boys picked up that boy, who was a favorite with them all, and carried him into the schoolhouse, which was quite near.
Bertie's eyes were closed, and his golden curls were stained with his blood. One boy ran to tell his, parents, and very shortly the little sufferer was carried to his home, where he was tenderly .cared for. For several days it was impossible to tell the full extent of his injuries, but when he regained consciousness, all were hopeful that he would recover. It took many, many weeks before the dear child was well, and during these weeks he had many talks with his dear mother on eternal things.
Some are disposed to think and say that such subjects ought not to be named to one so young. But this is not the teaching of the Word of God, nor does it fit in with the words or ways of the Lord when He was on earth. They brought "infants" (Luke 18:1515And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:15)) to Him then, and He welcomed and blessed them. And there are many evidences, to those who have eyes to see them, that in the present time of grace and of the Gospel's power, and by far the greater number, are saved while they are young in years.
Bertie's mother knew the Gospel's power, and lovingly she set its truths before her darling boy, as he lay, still weak, but now free from pain, on his bed. It was lovely to watch the gentle operations of the Spirit in opening the dear child's mind to understand the Gospel, and his heart to receive it. One day his mother said,
"I wonder what we shall give, as a thanksgiving gift, to our good and loving God and Father, for raising up our little boy to health?"
For a moment, he lay silently thinking. Then the blue eyes were raised, and in sweet, simple words Bertie said,
"I think, mamma, that God will be best pleased if I give Him myself."
Could anything have been finer than that, or more pleasing to God? Bertie did give himself, not as a- sacrifice to earn salvation, but as a gift to God, from whom he had received life as a free gift in his early years. He followed the Lord, and it has been his joy to win many to the Saviour.
Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1930