“THIS is just the day for us to get Mother some blueberries, Philip,” said Thelma to her brother. “I’ll get some pails, and here’s Ned wanting to go along, too.” She stroked the good dog’s long, silky hair.
“Of course we’ll take you as usual, Ned. If a bear happens to see us, Ned will take care of him in a hurry, won’t he?” answered Philip.
In that northern country of British Columbia bears are quite a common sight in the woods. They are not feared as a rule unless harm has come to a cub or unless the bear is hungry. A dog is a constant companion of most children living a distance from the city.
“Mother, is it all right if we go berry picking today?” the children asked at the house. “Can’t you go with us?”
“It would be lovely to have some berries for the freezer, and it’s quite all right for you to go, but I can’t go with you until the baby is a little older. Let’s ask the Lord Jesus to help you because we know we can’t do anything without seeking His help and guidance.” The children knelt while Mother asked the Lord to protect and lead them in their berry hunt. Then, as she and Daddy always did when they prayed, Mother thanked the Lord Jesus for dying on the cross to save them from their sins.
“Keep Ned with you, dears. Good-by.”
The day seemed long for Mother, for it was summer and she was accustomed to having Thelma and Philip near her, or within shouting distance at most. Late in the afternoon Ned could be heard in the distance, barking first loudly, then more faintly. “Brother and sister will soon bring us some fine berries,” she said aloud to Baby Mary. “It must be almost time,” and she held baby to the window. But they did not come. When Father arrived from his work, he became alarmed.
“I’ll drive back to town for the searching party,” he quickly decided.
“There is a company of men in town who have done this kind of searching before.” Before he left, he looked to the Lord in prayer. Soon a party of men arrived and headed for the west woods, when — sure enough — ruing toward them were two tired, frightened figures, gasping, yet both trying to talk at the same time.
“Just as we came near the old shack, we heard Ned begin to growl, and then we saw the bear. He was hungry, and he pounced on Ned. Ned put up a good fight, but it wasn’t any use. He died, and we hid in the loft of the shack until dark. If Ned hadn’t been with us, we’d have been the ones to be eaten.”
Everyone was relieved that the children were safe, and they knelt and thanked the Lord for His care over them. When all was comparatively quiet once more, Mother drew her son and daughter to her side. “Thelma and Philip,” she said, “your experience has made me think of something very precious. You said Ned died so you wouldn’t die, didn’t you? That is only an experience on this earth, but think how the dear Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross and took the burden of your sins so you would not have to die in your sins! What an awful death that was, and how much He suffered for you, dear children. Have you seen yourselves as sinners, and do you believe that the Lord Jesus died for you? ‘If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ "
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” 1 Thess. 5:9, 109For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9‑10).
ML-04/15/1962