ONE day a group of passengers were seen around a little boy of four years old, who was sobbing and crying very much because he was lost. ‘Tommy Ambler’ was his name, and he had just arrived by a train from B.
He had been with his parents in the crowd, where they were all waiting for the train to take them to M. and somehow had entered a wrong train. Little could be got out of Tommy except, “I’m lost, and want to go to M. with my mother;” but while he was saying this to one of the railway officials, a telegram arrived from his father, to say if a little boy was found answering the description of lost Tommy, he was to be sent by the first train to M.
This good news was at once made known to the lost but now found boy, who believed it, and was only too glad to take his seat in the train soon going to the best place on earth for him, because his best friend was there. So he was accordingly sent off, with the address ‘Tommy Ambler, passenger to M.’ tied to his button-hole, and with his face changed from crying and tears to joy and smiles.
Now, dear one, can you see nothing in all this to remind you of your lost state in God’s sight? Just mark well one or two points in little Tommy’s case. He strayed away; he was lost, and felt it; which made him very unhappy. He owned his helpless condition. Then when the good news arrived, he believed it—was thereby made happy, and went on his way rejoicing to his mother and best friend on earth.
So it is now with souls away from God.
“All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way.”
You know lambs as well as sheep go astray! but Jesus came to save that which was lost. He left the bright and beautiful glory and, in His love for the lost ones, came all the way down to Calvary’s cross to bleed and die for them, so that all who receive Him as, their Saviour might be happy in that glory with Himself for ever.
Then, dear child, whatever your name may be, do you answer to the description “Lost?” If so, hear the good news:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” and know yourself, for certain, on your way to your loving Saviour—your best Friend in heaven. Do not delay one moment, but at once enter the heavenly train ere it departs, and leaves you behind in your sorrow and tears, which will be yours forever.
“Joy and peace it is to know Him—
O how He loves:
Think, O think how much we owe Him —
O how He loves!
With His precious blood He bought us,
In the wilderness He sought us,
To His home He safely brought us—
O how He loves!”
ML 04/13/1924