A busy time of the year followed. Harvest started, and men and horses were employed cutting down and carting the corn. The children enjoyed it very much —running about the fields, watching the reapers, and getting many a ride in the wagons. They saw more of their uncle during those days, and, as the weather was fine, they stayed out nearly all day long, for their aunt was too busy to assign them their usual tasks. Of course they got into trouble during this time. Robin fell out of the wagon and hurt his head, Rose tore her skirts, and May scratched her arms and legs, and they received many a slight punishment.
If they could do so, they ran to Susan first, to tell her of their troubles. If she thought necessary, she corrected them, and, as they always saw the justice of it, and she used great gentleness, they received it meekly.
One evening the three were sitting in one of the meadows through which there was a public pathway, and Rose was singing a little hymn Susan had taught her -
"I love to hear the story,
Which angel voices tell,
How once the King of Glory
Came down on earth to dwell.
"I am both weak and sinful,
But this I surely know —
The Lord came down to save me,
Because He loved me so."
A gentleman who was passing along, stopped and listened. Then he came up close to them and put his hand on Robin's head.
"Where did you learn that pretty hymn?" he asked.
Rose jumped up and bowed. "Susan taught us to sing it — Susan that lives at my Aunt Clark's, at the Upland Farm."
"I know, I know, and I have heard of you from her." he replied. 'Now tell me, children, do you believe that the Lord Jesus loves you?"
"Yes, I know He does; He died for me," answered Rose.
"And me," said Robin. "He died on the Cross to save us from our sins."
"And you believe you are going to be with Him some day?"
"I hope I am," replied the little girl, "but I don't quite know." and her eyes filled with tears.
"Jesus is there, and Mother, too, and we want to go," said Robin.
"Would you like to be sure you are going?"
"Well, tell me your names, and we will make a little party on the grass, and I will read you some beautiful texts from the Bible," and he read slowly those words of Jesus: — "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47). "God's Word is true, little Rose, and He says if you believe and trust in Him you have everlasting life. What do you have to believe? That Jesus died for you a sinner, that He bore sin on the Cross, and put it away to save you, for you could not save yourself. Now the Lord has risen from the dead. Your debt is paid and your punishment is borne. God will not punish you for your sin now, if you take Jesus as your Saviour.
"Do you understand, Rose?"
"Yes, I do."
"And you will receive Him as yours?" She stopped a minute.
"Yes, I will. Susan often talks to me, and I want to be happy like her, and know my sins are forgiven."
"Well, go home and thank the Lord Jesus for dying for you, and open your heart and take Him in as your Saviour. My name is Rowland, and I have a class of children like you and Robin every Sunday afternoon. Would you like to come?"
"Oh we should, ever so much, but — if Aunt will let us."
"I will ask her now, at once, and I don't think she will refuse me, so prepare and come with Susan next Sunday — she goes into my sister's class. Come along, and we will ask your aunt about it." And taking little May's hand, he led them in.
Mrs. Clark was quite "put about" at seeing Mr. Rowland bringing in the children at the garden gate. She knew he held queer notions, but she also knew that he lived in a large house, and his father kept his carriage, and she hoped that some day they would buy their butter and eggs, etc. from her, therefore she felt rather gratified, and not a little agitated, to see him enter her gate.
Mr. Rowland soon explained his errand, and begged permission for the children to attend his class.
Mrs. Clark objected a little at first. She told him he would find Robin a great trouble, and she needed Rose to attend to May. He said, however, that he wished all three to come, for May would soon learn to be quiet, and she was just about to consent when her husband stepped in and quickly finished the matter.
"Yes, certainly, and thank you, too. Poor little orphans, it isn't for us to stand in their way. I think it is very kind of you, Mr. Rowland, and so would their mother. It was her last wish that they should be brought up in these ways, and though I don't know much about it myself, I'm not one who is set against religion."
"Thank you, Mr. Clark, you will not regret it. I endeavor to put the Lord Jesus Christ before these little ones as their Saviour and their Friend, without whom they cannot be saved, and this applies to us as well as to them. It is a mercy not to be set against Christ, but it will be a much greater blessing to yourself and to others, when you stand out boldly for His name. He was not ashamed to die for us, sinners. What an honor we should consider it to be allowed to speak for Him!"
"I know I'm not what I ought to be," replied the farmer," but I hope all will be right in the end."
"All will be right, if you accept God's unspeakable gift. And I shall expect to see these dear children on Sunday."
"Yes, they'll come with Susan," replied their uncle, lifting May to his shoulder, "and thank you, again, Sir, for your kindness," he added, grasping the outstretched hand of Mr. Rowland.