JEMMY was the grandson of a poor Scotch shepherd, named Robin. The old man was nearly eighty years of age; ‘his wife, and sons, and daughters. were all dead, and he had no one to comfort him in his declining days save little Jemmy, who, during the day, tended the flock, and, when the evening was come, would read aloud of that Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.
Robin had a dog named Watch, which had always been of great service among the sheep, and this faithful creature accompanied Jemmy every morning. Together they looked after the sheep, and very often Jemmy would play with his much-loved mate.
One day Jemmy had left the flock, and on his return found that four of the sheep were missing.
Hastening home he told his grandfather, who said, “The sheep are probably gone to the right side of the mountain to reach the other pastures. Go and look for them there, my child, and make haste, for it will snow soon; then bring home your flock quickly.”
Away the boy hastened. The snow began to fall, slowly at first, and then more and more quickly, until almost everything was hidden from view.
At home old Robin had begun to repent his having sent the boy alone; for he well knew that if Jemmy were to lose himself on the mountain in the snow he would probably be frozen to death ere the morning. For a long while the old man sat near the window, listening anxiously for the expected footfall. Seven o’clock having struck, and the darkness deepening, the old man fell on his knees, and prayed God to restore his poor child.
He was about to start to call upon a neighbor, named Mackie, when he heard a scratching at the door. It was Watch. Poor dog, when Robin opened the door, he ran a little distance and then came back. He wanted to lead the way to where his young master was.
Robin now hastened without delay to his neighbor Mackie, who, on hearing what was the matter, started off at once to find the missing boy.
“Go on before, Watch,” he said to the faithful dog, “I will follow you,” and on very fast they went, though not so fast as the animal would have liked. Watch was always in front. Suddenly he stopped, and Mackie heard him whining loudly and bitterly. Pressing on, Mackie saw the dog scraping furiously in the snow. moment after he heard a feeble voice saying, “Help me, save me,’’ and saw little Jemmy’s head above the snow.
With some difficulty Mackie took him out, and carried him rejoicing towards his home. There he was received with glad heart by the kindly neighbor’s wife, and at once put to bed, his benumbed limbs well rubbed, and some hot porridge given him—old Robin whose heart was lifted up in thanksgivings to God that his boy was found, and his prayer answered, watching all the time near his bed.
The next morning Jemmy was much recovered, and, whilst Watch lay at his feet, by the breakfast table, the story was told of all that had befallen them.
Jemmy had sought along the mountain side, whilst the snow fell ever thicker and faster, until, tired and weary, and then stumbling, he had fallen into the hole where lie had been found. Watch, at first, tried to drag him out, but, this failing, ran off to the cottage and scratched for help. When left alone Jemmy had cried to God to take him out of that dreadful place.
Thus two prayers were answered—the old man praying in his cottage, and the sheep-boy in that mountain snow-drift. Both cried to God in their trouble, and were heard.
How it reminds us of that passage in Ps.107:12-13,
“They fell down, and there was none to help, Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.
There is no sorrow, no trial, no difficulty in which the believer cannot look up to God, and count upon His loving kindness and tender care.
“Happy are the children Who trust in Jesus’ name; Although they cannot see His face, He watches over them.
Safely on their Shepherd’s breast All His little lambs may rest.”
ML 12/24/1899