A little girl, named Elsie,
Of four or five years old
(Whose parents were in heaven
And safe in Jesus’ fold),
Was taught in early childhood
To love His precious name:
And in His Word believing,
A Christian thus became.
Now Elsie had a brother,
And Jesus was his joy;
She also had another,
A wild and wayward boy.
And by his naughty manners,
His sister’s heart he grieved,
She wished he loved the Saviour,
And on His name believed.
One day her elder brother
Met Elsie on the stairs,
Her face seemed full of sorrow,
Her mind seemed full of cares.
“What ails my little Elsie?
And what has made her cry?”
But Elsie seemed unwilling
To tell the reason why.
He lovingly embraced her,
And asked her yet again—
“What is the little trouble
Which gives my sister pain?”
At length she gently whispered,
While looking on the floor,
“I’se just been asking Jesus”—
And then she said no more!
Her brother seemed astonished
(But joy was in his face)
To find his little sister
Had sought the throne of grace.
Then Elsie, gaining courage,
Her secret told to him—
“I’se just been asking Jesus.
To save dear brother Jim!”
“Pray on, my little sister,”
Her brother then replied,
“And always go to Jesus,
And in His love confide;
For He is ever faithful
To those who trust in Him;
And may our gracious Jesus
Soon save dear brother Jim.
“For even naughty children
Are objects of His care:
No doubt that He will answer
My little sister’s prayer.
He bids us not be weary.
But always watch and pray,
And from a child’s petition
He will not turn away.
“And though He is in glory,
And angels worship Him,
He hears the prayer of Elsie,
To save dear brother Jim.”
ML 09/27/1925