Among the regular attendants at our Sunday school was John, a boy of eleven years of age, whose earnest attention and serious behavior made those interested in him hope that the good seed of the Word was finding a place in his heart. He had attended, without missing, for about two years.
One day a message was brought to his Sunday school teacher saying that John was ill, and wanted much to see him. Arriving at the cottage his teacher found Johnny in great suffering and after sympathizing awhile with him, he spoke of the love of Christ.
“I know that He loves me,” exclaimed the child confidently, though his pain was so intense that speaking was difficult.
“How do you know that, Johnny, seeing that He allows you to lie here all day so very ill?”
“Because He died for me on the cross, and put away my sins; and now I am going to be with Him in heaven,” was the glad reply.
Many others visited Johnny in this his last illness, to all of whom he spoke of Jesus, telling them that He alone could save, and nothing but His blood could wash away sins. His knowledge of the Bible, and great confidence in God, seemed so wonderful in one so young, that on one occasion a lady, who was visiting him, remarked on it with surprise, and Johnny replied,
“Oh, yes, I am going to heaven, and shall see Abraham, and Moses, and all the prophets.”
His illness continued many weeks, during which time he was constantly praying for the different members of his family, and exhorting them to rest in Jesus and His finished work, so as to join him in heaven; and the little hymn,
“Oh Jesus, He is kindness,
Jesus the Lord is love,”
was frequently on his lips.
One day, seeing him very ill, hi s mother, who was a Christian, said, “When you are too weak to speak, Johnny, and I ask if you are happy, I want you to point with your finger.”
As his end drew near, the sorrowing mother bent down and asked, “Are you happy?” when the little finger was raised slowly, and the lips moved. Those who listened caught the words, “Jesus, precious Jesus!” and his spirit passed away.
Little friends, has the story of God’s love, so often told out at Sunday school, become a reality to you? and can you say with Johnny, “He died for me, and put away all my sins?”
ML 04/05/1959