I WOULD like to tell my dear little friends a story which I have often heard a servant of the Lord Jesus tell.
A Christian man once visited a school and asked permission to speak, for a short time, to the children. Having received permission, he asked the boys to stand side by side, and had the tallest boy stand at the head of the line, and the smallest at the foot. When he had them as he wanted them, he took his watch out of his pocket, and handing it to the first boy, said, “My boy, here is a watch for you.” The big boy was so surprised, and did not think the man meant what he said, so did not take the watch. He passed it on to the next boy, and he, following the example of the first, would not take it. So the man passed on from one boy to another, and not one would accept the watch. They all seemed to think the man did not mean what he said. When he came to the last and smallest boy in the class, he said, as he did to the others, “My boy, here is a watch for you.” So the little fellow, taking the man at his word, and not waiting to be asked a second time, put out his hand at once, and took the watch and put it into his pocket, saying: “Thank you, sir.” So the watch was his. He believed the man meant what he said, and the moment he took the watch, it was his.
This little story makes me think of something God is offering to little children, and how many are refusing to accept it. He is offering eternal life as a gift, for He says, “The gift of God is eternal life.” Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). He is inviting all, to take of the water of life freely. Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17). Eternal life, the water of life, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and many other precious things, He is offering free, to all of the little boys or girls, who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour. I am sorry to say, there are some who refuse to take these precious things, and prefer to go on in their own ways. But there are some who, like the little boy at the foot of the class, accept what is offered to them, and are happy in Jesus.
Oh! that all our dear little friends were like the little boy who took, at once, what was offered to him and gave thanks for it.
E. B. H.
ML 04/15/1900