“ONE day in December, 1863, a woman, going into Mrs. G―’s house, was attracted by the appearance of her daughter Katie, a little one, then apparently not more than four years old. ‘Whose little child are you, my dear?’ she asked. Katie looked up gravely in her face and replied, ‘I am Jesus’ little child;’ adding, that Jesus took up little children in His arms and blessed them, and that whoever believed on Jesus would be His child, and she was going to be that. The woman was not a little surprised at the answer her question had elicited; but the mother broke out in praise of the mission school, saying that formerly, when the children were going to one of a different denomination, they cursed and swore, and no one could keep a halfpenny in the house for their stealing; but now it was all different, and if little Katie heard any one swear, she would reprove them.”
One more anecdote of Katie. ― “A few days ago, as the teacher was giving religious instruction in the day-school, she asked the children this question: ‘When should we prepare for death?’ Some answered, ‘In the day of health;’ others said, ‘Now.’ ‘And, continued the teacher, how should we prepare for it?’ ‘I think, Miss,’ said little Katie, it is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Little children should believe on Jesus. Little children may die. The earth is still fresh above the grave of another whom I knew. An infant almost in years, she yet loved to hear of Jesus, and would talk of being in heaven. Her last and favorite hymn was one with which most of you are familiar―
“One there is above all others;
Oh, how He loves!”
I saw a copy of this sweet hymn lately in the handwriting of little Katie’s mother. This verse was especially marked:
“’Tis eternal life to know Him;
Oh, how He loves!
Think, oh think, how much we owe Him;
Oh, how He loves!
With His precious blood He bought us,
In the wilderness He sought us,
To His fold he safely brought us,
Oh, how He loves!”
Little Y― was removed suddenly. Dear children, are you ready, should death summon you away this year, this month? If you ask when you should prepare, hear the reply from mission scholars: “In the day of health” ― “Now!” And if you inquire how you shall prepare, let little Katie’s answer he remembered: “It is, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ah, how terrible if Romanist mission children should rise up at the last day to condemn any of you for rejecting the way of salvation! I trust, however, dear young friends, that many, very many of you are “looking unto Jesus!” I could tell you of a dear little girl, seven years old, of whom I have lately been hearing, who is daily telling others of the dear Saviour she has found. Remember, Jesus does not wish you to go to heaven alone. Remember, also, that He wishes to make you instruments for blessing to many, whom, perhaps, in this life, you may never see. He has said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7.) Come then, dear children of His, to a throne of grace, and praising Him for His mercies in the past and the present, plead for an abundant blessing upon others.”―An Extract.