BERT and his parents had gone to live in South Africa and his father was manager of a mine there. There were no towns nearby and in the little village where they lived there were no Sunday school or gospel meetings. But Bert’s father had learned at home in his youth to stand true to the Lord with purpose of heart, like Daniel, and let his light shine in the faraway land to which he had gone. He began a little Sunday school for children and an evening gospel meeting and God blessed his faithfulness. He had the joy of hearing one and another of those who came to the gospel confess the Lord Jesus as the One whom they trusted as their Saviour, for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)).
One of the first to confess the Lord was Bert, his eldest boy, who came out boldly on the Lord’s side. And Bert “grew” (1 Peter 2:22As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)) as he drank in “the pure milk of the Word” of God and made progress on the heavenly road.
On his first birthday after his conversion and confession of Christ Bert’s father presented him with a fine silver watch, which he valued highly, especially since it was his father’s gift. But one of the first fruits of the new life in the believer is unselfishness and willingness to sacrifice for Christ’s sake. And an opportunity was given to Bert to “deny himself” as a true disciple of Christ should be ready to do for the gospel’s sake (Matt. 16:2424Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)).
An African boy who had been attending the Sunday school had no Bible in his own language to read at home. When Bert heard this he decided to sell his watch to the jeweler and buy a Bible for the young African lad. The old jeweler was surprised when Bert told him what he was going to do with the money, but the bargain was made and Bert sent the money to Cape Town. In a few days the Bible arrived and the young African’s joy in receiving it made Bert feel bountifully repaid for his sacrifice.
This was the beginning of true Christian conduct with Bert and he went on Afterward in the ways of the Lord. He became a real soul-winner in that land where he first came to know the Lord and began to serve Him happily in a humble way.
ML-02/24/1974