WHERE I am staying here there is a mother hen with nine little chicks. They are very difficult to count; they run about and mix themselves up so. I noticed that the old hen brings them home early in the afternoon and takes them into a place where no one can disturb them. They are so pretty, too.
One little fellow looked out from under his mother’s feathers so cute the other evening. He got sleepy and then he went inside. Her feathers seem so soft and warm.
Mother hen is very fierce when any other hen comes near. She rushes at the other hen, and it has to go off flying in terror. The other day the old hen actually attacked two young pigs that came too near her chicks. She is intelligent too. When I was feeding her, the two pigs approached and a boy scared them off. The hen seemed to know that he was not chasing her. She stood still, looking very pleased.
The chicks understand her call perfectly. When she finds something good to eat, she utters one kind of a call and they all come running. When there is danger, she utters another call and they all run to her for shelter.
When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He called the people — children and older folks — to come and follow Him; but, sad to say, only a little few answered His call. Most refused or did not want to listen. So He wept over Jerusalem, saying, “O Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:3737O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37). There was nothing left for them but judgment.
May it not be so with you, dear reader. Today the Saviour calls, sang, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28). For those who come and trust Him as their Saviour, He provides rest, and shelter, and food, and blessings, all through this life, with a happy home in heaven at the end.
“WHOSO HEARKENETH UNTO ME
SHALL DWELL SAFELY, AND SHALL BE
ML-10/26/1969