Be sure you read the texts at the top of the page, because the text is always the best part of a message.
Everyone is a sinner, everyone has done wrong and been naughty; some are more naughty than others, but there is no difference about this thing—the fact that “ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).
Now it is not good to cover over our sins; that will never do, for God’s Word declares it shall not prosper.
But many are foolish enough to try to cover up their sins, and Satan is always ready to help them do so. A little girl called Ellie did so; I think she was between 5 and 6 years old.
Her mother told her that some ladies were coming to visit her that afternoon and she wanted her little girl to be ready and meet them.
Mother told Ellie to put on her pretty blue silk dress and no apron. When she was ready, Ellie begged to go out in the garden for a little while before the visitors came. She was told she could walk quietly around the paths, but she must not run about and get her dress soiled.
But soon Ellie disobeyed, and began running around. Alas, her foot slipped on a stone, and she fell into one of the flower beds!
I expect the gardener had been watering the flowers, for when she jumped up, her blue silk dress was in a dreadful mess!
She cried, and then ran up to her bedroom.
Hark! there are knocks at the door; the ladies are coming! Just then Satan whispered to Ellie to put a clean apron on, and cover the dirty marks over. Naughty Ellie did so, and wiped the tears off her face.
“Ellie! Ellie! where are you?” called her mother, and soon the little girl crept downstairs, and into the living room. She shook hands with the ladies, and then she sat down on a stool.
Presently her mother said, “Why have you that apron on, Ellie? I said you were not to wear one this afternoon,”
Then Ellie turned red, and looked so ashamed. Her mother took off the apron, and the dirty silk dress was seen!
Now I must leave you to apply the rest of the message to yourself, Read both texts very carefully, and you will find that covering your own sin will never prosper, but very happy indeed is the child whose sin God has covered with the precious blood of Jesus, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isa. 44:2222I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:22).
ML-05/08/1960