A number of boys were coming together from the Sunday school one afternoon, when one of their number pointed to a house and said, “There’s an old woman in there, and the doctor says she’s dying. She told a woman today that nobody goes in to speak to her or pray with her and that she’s afraid to die. She wants to be saved but doesn’t know how.”
There was a hurried consultation among the boys as to what ought to be done. Most of them were Christians, and their teacher had been telling them that afternoon that they could preach the gospel as well as other people, and point weary sinners to the Lamb of God.
“They’ll not allow boys to go into a house where a woman’s dying,” said one, “so it’s no use thinking we can go and speak to her.”
“There’s a back window,” said another, “if we could get a ladder we might call out a text, and tell her that Jesus died for her.”
A ladder was found and placed bow the window. “Who will go up?” and “What shall he say?” were the next questions.
“I’ll go,” said Jamie Dean, a bright lad of twelve years; and Jamie mounted the ladder while the rest held it below.
When he reached the window he laid hold of the sash with both hands, put his mouth as close to the glass as he could, and repeated slowly the verse, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” He could add no more, so down he came.
The ladder was taken back, and the boys walked home wondering whether the words reached the dying one’s ear.
The old woman lay alone in her little room thinking about the dreaded future, and the state of her soul. So quietly was the whole thing done by the boys, that she heard nothing until the words fell with strange and mysterious sweetness on her ear, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). She looked up and saw no one. She thought it must have been an angel’s voice.
When a neighbor some time after came into the room, the old woman was very happy. The visitor asked her what had made the change.
“An angel has spoken to me, and he said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ I have believed, and I am saved.”
This is a true story, and shows how God delights to use willing instruments. He uses His own Word, so simple and real, to bring poor sinners to Himself. We should, like those dear boys, try to reach others with that blessed gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes. Have you received it? “Happy they who trust in Jesus.”
ML 04/11/1954