A FEW days ago I stood by the side of a small grave in a village churchyard bearing the above text on the tombstone.
Maurice Merry, for that was the little boy’s name, was called away from earth at the early age of six years. He was afflicted from birth, and could not walk many steps from his cottage home by the roadside in a lonely part of the country. Maurice could never go to Sunday-school to hear the sweet story of a Saviour’s love. His little brother and sister attended a gospel meeting for children which I held near, but dear little Maurice could never attend. I had the opportunity of seeing him a few times, and speaking to him of Jesus. On one occasion I spoke to him of the 18th chapter of Matthew, and repeated the text several times;
“Jesus called a little child unto Him.”
The Lord, through the Holy Spirit used this text to reach his little heart and lead him to Jesus. From that time he always called it his text, and would speak of it to his mother. He hadn’t the privileges of a Christian home, but he heard the blessed voice of Jesus calling him, and he came to Jesus and trusted Him. Maurice never doubted the blessed words of Jesus, and Jesus drew him to Himself and made him happy.
This is what He did for Maurice, and helped and comforted him in all his suffering and affliction. He would say to his mother:
“Mother, Jesus called a little child, and that means me.” Just before he passed away he said:
“Mother, Jesus called a little child and that will be me,” meaning that Jesus was soon going to call him home to heaven.
How happy is dear little Maurice now with Jesus forever in that happy home on high. “Forever with the Lord.”
Now, dear children, why do we tell you about Maurice? It is because we want you to know Jesus too, as your own precious Saviour and Shepherd. Will you read in your Testament those wonderful words of the Lord Jesus in Matt. 18:1-141At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:1‑14)? Notice the three things:
“Jesus called a little child unto Him.” Verse 2.
“One of these little ones which believe in Me.” Verse 6.
“In heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” Verse 10.
Jesus calls you, and if you believe in Him, He assures you of a place with Him and His Father in heaven.
“The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.” Matt. 18:1111For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11). We are lost through sin, but in these wonderful verses, 11-14, Jesus tells us of His wonderful journey of love down from heaven to Calvary’s Cross, where He suffered, bled, and died to save us. O, what great and wonderful love; and now He is a Risen, Living Saviour still calling,
Think of these four facts:—
Jesus loves you.
Jesus died for you.
Jesus wants you.
Jesus calls you.
Will you be like Bartimeaus, who, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus? (Mark 10:5050And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (Mark 10:50)). Jesus has died for you, and now, “He calleth thee.” O, make haste and come to Him.
“Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of mercy, love and power.”
“Just as I am without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!”
ML 03/27/1927