A FEW days ago I stood by the side of a small grave in a village churchyard bearing the above text on the tombstone.
This little grave and text are of deep interest to me; and I want to tell you a little about the dear child whose body lies there to await the resurrection when the Lord Jesus comes. (See 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
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.
“He (Jesus) shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isa. 40:11.
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. 18:1-14? 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. 18:11. 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,
“Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.
“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Whosoever will, may come, —man or woman, boy or girl.
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 10:50). Jesus has died for you, and now, “He calleth thee.” O, make haste and come to Him.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.
“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