When Jack was only a baby boy just fourteen months old, he was sold by his mother to a gang of thieves. He was trained by them in all the tricks of pick-pocketing, and at eight years of age he was an expert in the business. As Jack grew older, his skill in daring increased. On one occasion he took part in a prominent theft, and there was a great hue and cry after him.
For three weeks he hid away in a house and then cautiously he returned to his old haunts.
Soon after while laying plans for another big burglary in the north, he was passing one Sunday a place where a gospel service was being held. A hymn was being sung, and as he was fond of music he stopped to listen. He made up his mind to attend a meeting there later on.
He did so, and though he had never been in such a thing as a gospel meeting, he was greatly interested in the hymns that were sung, and by what the preacher said. He did not know, however, that two detectives were on his track and followed him into the building.
At the close of the service the well-known hymn, “The Better Land,” was sung, and poor Jack, overcome with delight, threw up his hat and shouted, “Encore!” That was enough for the detectives, who laid hold of him at once.
However, a kind-looking old lady of 85, sitting on the seat in front, turned around and pleaded for him.
“Don’t take him,” she said earnestly. “Poor boy, though he has fallen so low, he is somebody’s son.”
Then looking at the culprit she said, “Come and sit here beside me.” He came, and the old lady kissed him on the forehead.
Tears started to his eyes. He was not used to such kindness as this. Never to his knowledge had he ever been kissed in his life before.
The service was over, and the old lady begged the detectives to leave the young man in her care. She began to talk to him, and through her gentle, earnest words, the Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of poor Jack. Again and again the lady repeated the words, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,” and they made an impression upon his soul.
That night there was joy in heaven over the return of another prodigal.
Nimble Jack, as he was called by his old companions, is now a child of God, and nothing gives him greater joy than to tell others of the Saviour who found him in all his sin and forgave him, and made him clean through His precious blood.
You may think, my reader, because you have not gone so low in sin as this young fellow that you do not need to be converted. But all have sinned, you among the number. And your sin is enough to shut heaven’s gate against you forever. You need to be purged from your sins, and only one thing can do it: The precious blood of Christ.
Confess that you are indeed a sinner, and you will find that Christ is a ready Saviour, and that He will save you and bless you and make you happy.
Only one heart to give,
Only one voice to use,
Only one little life to live,
And only one to lose.
How happily the working days
In Christ’s dear service lie;
How rapidly the closing hour
The time of rest draws nigh.
ML-09/24/1978