Now, dear children, this true story of a little girl is written just for yourselves. For twelve years, Fanny had lived, perhaps like many of you, enjoying herself with all the youthful pleasures and amusements of the world. She had a happy home, loving parents, everything, indeed, that her heart could wish; but still Fanny felt there was something more she needed, and something which neither her parents nor any of her earthly friends could give her.
Perhaps some of you have found that with all your joys and amusements, still there is something wanting, and you wish that you were safe in the arms of that loving Jesus who died to save you. You shall hear how it was that Fanny came to know that all her sins were forgiven, and herself safe for eternity.
A cousin of hers, who had known the Lord several years, spent a few days at Fanny’s home. He had prayed before coming; that his words to Fanny during his visit might be blessed to her, and they were, for on the second night, just as Fanny’s mother was going to bed, she heard a knock at the door, and her little girl’s voice calling,
“Mother, mother, do come here, I have something to tell you.”
What could Fanny have to tell so late at night? Ah, it was such good news that she could not keep it till the morning. She went immediately, and found Fanny on her knees by the bed. Her mother asked her what was the matter, when Fanny answered,
“O, mother, I’ve gone to Jesus, and He has washed all my sins away. I have given Him my heart, and He took it at once, and He has made an so happy so very happy.” Then pointing to the clock,
“Look, mother, every tick brings me nearer to Jesus, and nearer to heaven.”
And then her mother knelt down beside her child and thanked the good Lord for His great love in thus saving His little lamb. And I can tell you that Fanny that night was full of joy.
And now I want you just to think one moment whether you too can say, “I’ve gone to Jesus, and He has washed all my sins away?”
Fanny was able to say it right from her heart, because she knew it was true; but she had found out first of all, by the Spirit’s teaching, that site was a sinner, and a lost sinner, too, and that was why she so much wanted a Saviour.
And, O! you will have to find this out, each one of you, some day, and if you put it off, and try not to think of it now, perhaps the Lord will not give you another opportunity, and then how dreadful it would be to learn too late what it is to be a lost sinner, to hear Jesus say,
“Depart from Me.” Matt, 25:41.
O, come to Him now, just this very day, even as you are reading this. Do not put it oft even one hour. Remember the Good Shepherd seeks His little lamb, even though the little lamb does not want Him, and if you will only listen to Him you will find how loving He is, and how gently He carries His lambs in His bosom, He will carry you till He brings you quite safely to His own happy home, to be with Him forever.
ML 06/08/1941