Florrie was an only child, and withal an orphan. Her grandparents, who lived in a fine old country house, brought up the motherless child, and were very fond of her. But she was lonely, for no other children of her age were about the place. Her grandmother bought her a fine large doll, and brought it home to amuse her little grandchild. And, for a time, it did. But Florrie used to say,
“I wish it could speak. I am so lonely.”
This it could not do, for it had no life. It had pretty eyes, a wonderfully humanlike face, fair hair and red cheeks, but it was just a doll, and had no life. No intercourse could pass between the orphan child and her doll, for she had life and the doll had not. It was the feeling of this, that made the child lay her head on her aged grandmother’s breast, and say,
“I want some one living to love. I have no sister and no playmate to love me and speak to me.”
Can we wonder at the dear child’s felt want? Have older folks not felt the same, and longed for a friend with a warm heart to love them, and to be loved by them in return.
Florrie’s desire was granted, in a way that she had not even thought of—a way provided by God Himself. For He who knows the human frame and its wants, knows also the way, and has the means, to provide what the weary heart seeks after.
A family from a neighboring town came to reside in the village, not far from Florrie’s home. And the youngest, girl, being of much the same age, became her companion and playmate. How different was life then to the lone, motherless child! She had one to love her, and to be loved by her, to speak to and hear from, one with life and love as well. And as the two girls grew up, and went to Sunday school together, they heard the sweet story of a Saviour’s love, and of the way of salvation, through His death on the Cross to save them from sin, and bring them to God. And the two companions were brought to trust in that Saviour, and had their hearts won to Him in the Sunday school, at an early age. They grew up together in the Christian life, happy in the knowledge that they now had One to love them, who would never leave them lonely, a living One at God’s right hand in heaven, to care for them, and lead them safety on through life, to His own heavenly home.
For many years the two companions have loved and lived in the sunshine of Christ’s favor, serving Him in lowly paths, and seeking to spread the sweet savor of His saving Name, among the people who have known them both from their childhood’s years.
There are many weary hearts in this world, longing for peace with God, and friendship with Christ. They have learned that nothing. in the world can satisfy the heart, or give it that companionship it longs for. The Lord Jesus Christ can give this He has given it to thousands, young in years and lowly in life. Yes, while the dew of youth was still on their cheek, He made known His love, as told forth in the Gospel, and they believed and received it. They opened their hearts to Him, and took Him in, with all that He brings with Him. And they are saved and satisfied now.
Is it so with the reader?
ML 05/25/1941