(continued from last week)
LITTLE CHARLIE cried piteously the next morning when he learned that his brother, Daniel, had gone to heaven. His dear mother drew him to herself and kissed him saying softly, “Try to bear it, Charlie; remember you are all Mother has left.”
“But I want him!” sobbed the child.
“Ah,” said the sorrowing mother, “heaven wanted him too.”
~~~
There was sorrow in the stately mansion as well as in the home of the poor widow. Mr. Irving was failing rapidly. The doctor said there was no hope. Mrs. Irving was in despair. She who had lived for pleasure must stand and see the end of earth; she must realize that she was born for something besides living here. She must think that someday she too, like her husband, must come to the same end of all things.
Lily’s “Aunt Nell” too was strangely moved. There had come to her some dim longings for Christ. Again and again the question came into her mind, “Do you love Jesus?” Now she thought of nothing else.
Little Lily seemed the only one who remained calm at that eventful time. She had grown so sweetly thoughtful.
One day as the sunbeams shone into the sick room, her father called her to himself, a heavenly smile on his face, and whispered: “Lily, I can say, ‘Jesus,’ now.”
“O Daddy, I’m so glad!” she exclaimed, and she leaned over and kissed him. “I’ll go and tell the little sick boy. And does Jesus come and talk with you?”
“Yes, darling, He talked with me all last night. Thank God, I shall soon see Him.”
“Will Mother seek Jesus too?” whispered the little girl.
“You ask her, Lily. O I wish I had learned to know Him long before,” and tears flowed down the sick man’s cheeks.
The Saviour calls, He knows thy sin;
But trust Him now, He’ll enter in;
And He thy heart will satisfy,
And every needed grace supply.
ML-06/27/1971