Old Dick

From: Messages of God's Love: 1901

I HAVE a very fine photograph of "Old Dick,", and I have no doubt the readers of "Messages of Love" will wonder who "Old Dick" is! A very dear friend of mine met "Old Dick" in July of last year and learned something of his history. He was, some years ago, employed in the Government works on Pike's Peak, in Colorado. He has now won a well-earned rest for life, and is kindly treated and cared for. Well. I suppose I must come to it at last, and tell you that "Old Dick" is a burro, or donkey. He was then over forty years old and quite white. If he is alive now he is about forty-two years old. No doubt he has always had a kind master, or he would not have lived so long. It is nice to treat dumb animals kindly. If you look in Romans 8:19-23,¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²²For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:19‑23) you will see how the animals that God has created are all groaning and suffering under the curse and weight of sin. All God's children are waiting, while suffering, too, on account of the presence of sin in the world, for the glory that is going to be revealed to us. The poor, dumb animals, often so cruelly treated, overloaded and overworked, are waiting (although they do not know anything about God and His grace to us) for the day and hour when God will manifest us, who are Christians, as His sons in glory. God is going to set the animals free from the dreadful yoke and bondage of corruption, as well as His children. Well, dear children, as well as older readers, have you this blessed hope of being with the Lord Jesus in glory when all this takes place? Do you know yourself a sinner suffering with all the poor dumb animals under the bondage and corruption of sin? If you know this, rest assured that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanseth you from every sin. (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). )

I went to pay a visit lately to a friend where he is preaching the gospel in a tent. There was an old mule browsing around the little cottage where he lives, and he told me that the owner of this poor dumb creature had given up working him and had given him his liberty for life. The master thought too much of him to shoot him, for he had worked for him faithfully many years. He told me that this mule was over twenty years old, so you see, dear young friends, that "Old Dick" is a wonder of wonders among mules for longevity, which means length of life. So be kind and gentle to the dumb animals.

I know some children who own some very pretty chickens. One is so tame that it will let you take it up in your arms and it is not at all frightened. My friends have been as kind to it as its own mother, who used to hide it under her wings and shield it from cold and danger.

"She guards the little ones with care,

Lest mischief should befall,

And if some danger were at hand

She would protect them all.

Beneath the shadow of her wings

The helpless chicks would hide,

And harm could never come to them

While sheltering at her side.

Now, who is He, with tender care,

That guards and watches still

The little ones who trust in Him.

And shields them from all ill?