VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD SHALL IN NO WISE ENTER THEREIN.”— Luke 28:17.
When I kept shop in London, a little girl about five years old was often to be seen playing near the window. She was a happy-looking child; her long flaxen hair hung in graceful curls down her neck, and her pretty smiling face made her very attractive.
I frequently spoke to her, and soon a little acquaintance grew up between us. She would often look in at the shop door, hoping to get a smile and a nod, and perhaps a kind word if I was not too busy with others.
I little knew what was going on in that sweet child’s soul, nor what kind of acquaintance I was making; that I was really speaking words of kindness to one of Jesus’ lambs, and winning the affections of one who would shortly be with Him.
After a time, I did not see her as usual, and knew not where she lived. Several weeks passed away, and she did not come. At last, seeing a young person who I thought knew her, I inquired, and found that she lived in the same house, and that the child was ill, and was continually asking if anyone had seen me. She said the first thing the child would ask on her return would be, “Have you seen Mr. —?” I said, “I shall be delighted to call and see her, if it will give her the least pleasure.”
Accordingly, I went as soon as I conveniently could. But suffering had made such an alteration in her appearance that I scarcely knew her. Her pretty smiling face had become so thin and pale, not the least color was left in it, and her beautiful flaxen hair was greatly altered. Still, in the midst of it all, there was the same calm, happy countenance as before.
She received me with a sweet heavenly smile and I soon saw that she was not long for this world. She also knew it herself, and was glad it was so; for, though so young, she had learned to love that kind Saviour who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And she remembered that when He was here on earth, “He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them;” and that He is the same kind, loving, gracious Saviour now, as when He was here below; and she was going to be with Him. This kept her happy.
Her father and mother are industrious working people, and she was their only child. They grieved very much at the thought of losing her. But she would often wipe away her mother’s tears, telling her not to grieve, because she was going to be with Jesus, and there was no. pain nor sorrow there. She was one of Jesus’ lambs, and He was going to take her into His bosom, and, therefore, she hoped her mother would not weep.
I asked how it was that the child was so fully in the enjoyment of these glorious realities, and I soon found that she had been to a Sunday-school, where she had learned of Jesus and His love.
And now that sickness was come, and death seemed very near; she was not afraid, but rather rejoiced, that she was going to be with Him who loved her, and washed her from her sins in His own blood, and had now so fully won her heart for Himself.
She continued in great weakness and pain for some time, and many happy moments did I have by her bedside, talking of Jesus and the Father’s house to which she was going.
Sometimes she would gently sing me one of her favorite hymns which she had learned at the Sunday-school.
“Around the Throne of God in Heaven
Thousands of children stand”
was a great favorite with her. So was, also,
“Here is a message of love
Come down from above.”
One day her father, seeing how careful she was of some pennies that had been given her, asked her why it was.
She answered, “I know it will be very expensive for you when I go, therefore I am taking care of these pennies to help pay for my little coffin. I shall like to make it as easy for you as I can,” adding, at the same time, “I should like the coffin to be white.” Then the little books that had been given her at the Sunday-school, and by others, she tied them up in separate parcels for her cousins, who lived near, to be given to them after she was gone.
One parcel was much larger than the others—this was for a little girl who was sometimes very naughty. Her mother asked her how it was that the largest portion was for the naughtiest girl? She replied, “This is why I have done it. She is the worst, and, therefore, needs the most.”
So truly had this dear child learned of Jesus, and, therefore, learned to be like Him.
When the time came for her to leave this world, she knew it, and sought to comfort her father and mother in every way she could, telling them of the love and goodness of Him to whom she was going, and how happy everyone is in His presence. And by-and-by they must come, too, and then they should be so happy together for ever, for there was no parting there, neither pain nor sorrow.
And when the time really came, she wished them all good-bye with the same delight and composure as she would had she been going on a visit to those she loved.
And it was really so. But it was a visit from whence she will not return. We can go to her, but she will not return to us. Jesus is the way to that happy place where she is gone. He is the way, the truth, and the life. All who love Him down here will dwell with Him up there.
ML 08/26/1906