FRED ARNOT, the missionary, was one day traveling through the African jungle. He was tired and thirsty after walking many miles, so he entered into a hut to rest a little while.
The native children gathered around and gazed with deep wonder at the missionary, for they had never seen a white man before. Mr. Arnot had a sweet smile which won the hearts of many of the children. They came closer, encouraged by his smile, and at last one little fellow drew nearer than the rest and in his own artless manner he gave expression to his puzzled mind.
“White man,” said the little fellow, “please tell me what river you wash in, and can I wash there too?”
This opened up a subject dear to the missionary’s heart, so He explained to those little African boys and girls that the color of our skin doesn’t make any difference with God, but the color of our hearts. A white man’s heart may be just as black as an African’s, but when cleansed with the blood of Jesus an African Christian’s heart will be just as white and pure as that of a white Christian. But he went on to tell that only the blood of Jesus can wash away sin’s stains, and the longer we go on in sin, the blacker our hearts will get.
“For skins of every color
From lands between the poles,
Are welcome to God’s heaven
If they have blood-washed souls.”
The missionary told the little African boys and girls that they should not seek to have skin as white like the white man, but that they should seek to have their souls made whiter than any white man’s skin by believing in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and being cleansed in His precious blood.
Jesus died for little children,
All the children of the world:
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight;
Jesus died for all the children of the world.
ML-08/12/1973