A LITTLE time ago there lived near us a young boy of German descent about the age of eighteen. His name was Johnny, the only boy and a great help to his father, who kept a farm. One day his father and he killed a pig for bacon. The pig, after being killed, had to be hung up and Johnny tried to lift it, but it was too heavy and while under the weight, he was fatally injured. However, it was as not until the next day that he felt any effects from the strain. The next morning he arose, feeling quite well and ate a hearty breakfast of the fresh pork, and went to work as usual, but before long he returned home in great pain. His mother advised him to lie down, thinking he would soon get better; but as he gradually became worse they sent for a doctor and then for another, but they both shook their heads and said, “no hope.”
Our dear mother who had known him from a child, upon hearing of his case went to see him. When she heard how serious it was, she asked him, “Well, Johnny, if God wills that you should die, are you ready? Have you trusted Jesus?” To her great joy he looked up and putting his hand just before his face, to show how close, he said, “Yes, Jesus goes before me. Jesus goes before.” He was quite happy, for he was not trusting in himself but in that same Jesus who has gone before.
Johnny is no doubt enjoying more fully the presence of Jesus whom he trusted so wholly.
“They who trust Him wholly,
Find Him wholly true.”
ML 11/06/1904