IN the island of Ceylon there is a religion much followed by the people, called Buddhism. Some years ago a little boy there went to a Buddhist temple wherein lay a very large figure of the founder of that religion. This figure was about thirty feet long.
The boy went to the face of the idol, and put down his wreath of flowers which he had brought as a present, saying as they usually do,
“I take refuge in Buddha.”
He then waited to hear what the idol would say in reply, but was much astonished when he found that Buddha did not notice him in the least, as he had hoped he would. The figure did not open its eyes, nor appear to take the least notice of the offering he had brought.
Not long after this, the same boy was sent by his father to the missionary school. He heard many things there that were new to him, and among others, a song which gave the Christians in Ceylon much joy. We will translate two lines of the refrain:
“Jesus, Lord, I come to Thee,
Thou wilt all my refuge be!”
This was just what the boy wanted, a refuge—and he learned the truth in the words of this hymn. He saw that Buddha could not be a refuge, for it did not even have life in itself; and could do him no good. He therefore became a Christian. He found a true refuge in Christ, the living Saviour.
Later on he was a teacher and preacher on the island, and his joy was exceeding great in being able to preach the gospel to his countrymen. His highest delight was to point them—not to Buddha for sympathy, consolation, or salvation—but to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the right and only refuge and defense for all lost and burdened sinners.
Yes, dear children, Jesus is our only refuge, and it is when we know Him, that the words of the prophet are fulfilled in us;
ML 12/24/1922