The woman who had stolen Bertie IL was evidently ready for a tramp. She had a bundle in one hand, and with the other she grasped Bertie’s hand. The child was clothed in squalid rags, his little face all tear-stained and dirty; but the mother did not care for that. She had found her darling boy, and in a moment he was sobbing in her arms.
Before the woman could recover from her astonishment, and without waiting to say a word, Mrs. Lester folded her boy in her bosom, and hastened down the steps and into the street. She hardly felt his weight, so light and joyful was her heart. She cared not for his dirt and rags; it was enough that she had found him, that his little arms were clasping her neck. His tears soon ceased, and only a deep-drawn, quivering sob now and then told of the trouble in which he had lately been.
Home was reached at last. The joyful but exhausted mother bore her little one in and put him into the arms of his father, who had just returned from his unsuccessful search. Oh, how delighted he was to welcome back his lost boy! The little sisters, who had been crying bitterly for their brother, rushed in to rejoice over him. Of course little Bertie was soon well bathed by his loving mother, and fresh, clean clothes replaced the gipsy’s rags. Soon he was sweetly sleeping in his own cot, placed beside his mother’s bed.
Happy little Bertie! He was now found, safe in his father’s house.
I want you to notice several things in this story, for it is a picture of a great many people in the world, both young and old.
Like that wicked woman, Satan goes about seeking whom he can entice into the paths of sin. Like her, he has baits to tempt them, something to suit every eye, and while eagerly following the coveted “candy,” the victim is led farther and farther into the paths of sin, till Satan gets him securely in his grasp. The pleasures he so eagerly pursued, fade into nothing, and the poor stray one finds he is lost! Happy if he discovers this before it is forever too late.
What did little Bertie do when he knew he was lost, far away from his home? Poor child, he could do nothing; he could not get out of that dreadful room; he was far too small and too weak to overcome his terrible captor. All he could do was to cry.
Just so with the poor lost sinner whom Satan has bound hand and foot; he can do nothing to save himself.
The great love Bertie’s mother bore him, led her to leave her home and seek for him in that low and dirty neighborhood; her anxious ear heard his cry, and she hastened to the very place where he was.
Just so, Jesus, the Son of God, left His bright throne above to come down to this earth to seek and save lost sinners.
“‘Twas love, unbounded love to us, Led Him to die and suffer thus.”
And now He is able and willing to save every lost one who cries to Him. “His ear is ever open to their cry.”
Poor Bertie was a very wretched looking little object—ragged, dirty, and tear-stained; but his mother did not say, “Bertie, go and wash yourself, and put on your handsome clothes; then I will take you home.” No, indeed, her love was far too great for that. She forgot all about his clothes, and, catching him to her breast, she kissed him again and again, just as he was. How like the beautiful story of “the prodigal son.” His father ran to meet him, fell on his neck, and kissed him just as he was.
Bertie was carried home in his mother’s arms. Would she let the wicked woman get him again? No, indeed, she would be willing to lay down her life for him, if need be!
Did Bertie’s safety depend on hielf in any way?
No; he just lay in his mother’s arms and she bore him home.
Yet he did what was very sweet to his mother’s heart. Now and then he raised his head to give her a loving kiss.
Even thus it should be with those who have been rescued from the power of Satan, and are being safely and tenderly carried home. We can do nothing in the work of salvation—
“Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.”
But we can turn lovingly and trustfully to the precious Saviour and thank Him, and so give joy to His heart.
Dear reader, are you brought home to God? Have you been cleansed from your sins? If not, you are in a far worse state than little Bertie was. You may not know it any more than he did while he was sucking the candy stick in the woman’s arms, and believing her promises of greater treats in store.
You are perhaps so taken up with the things Satan is using to attract your attention, that you know not you are straying farther and farther into the path which leads to hell; another step may plunge you into everlasting woe. God’s ear is open to the feeblest cry, but do not delay, tomorrow may be too late.
ML 04/25/1954