LITTLE Maggie brought a large bag of fruit to our door one day. As I took the heavy bag from her, I opened it, and held out to the child one of the beautiful ripe plums. Instead of an eager hand stretched out to take it, Maggie raised to my face a pair of honest, wondering brown eyes. She wondered if the plum, was meant for her, but her young mind was soon set at rest on this point.
As the child trotted off with her plum, happy and content, I thought, How like little Maggie are many boys and girls. God is offering them a priceless gift, and they hesitate to take it. They do not seem to understand that God’s gift is meant for them.
Who amongst all our young readers can tell what is God’s gift? Ah! He has thought out a wonderful plan. He gave His only, His well-beloved Son, to die on the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ took the place there of every boy and girl who puts their trust in Him.
He endured the punishment due to his or her sins. He bore all God’s holy wrath against sin, and now God offers a full and free salvation to everyone who will accept it. That gift is for you, dear child.
Can you give one verse from the Bible that tells of God’s gift? I fancy I can hear many of you answer, “John 3:1010Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:10).” Yes, that is one, and you will find yourself included in that big word “who-so-ever.”
Let me ask each reader of this paper a plain question. Have you accepted God’s gift? Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If you do, you will be far happier than little Maggie with her plum, for yours will be a happiness which will last forever.
Some children seem indifferent to God’s offer of salvation. Some, like Maggie, hesitate to accept it. Dear child, if you belong to either of these two classes, beware how you stay there. You can read in the same chapter of John’s Gospel, in the verse 18, what an awful portion is yours: “Condemned already.” Think over these words. Do not delay, dear children, to accept, each one for yourself, God’s gift, Who will make you secure and happy for all eternity.
ML 06/08/1924