ISABELLA, when a child of about seven years old, was staying, with her aunt in Ireland. Her aunt, who relates the following little incident, is a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and took a deep interest in observing the various tokens of a divine work in the little one’s soul. These tokens were to be seen by her conduct in the ordinary little events of daily life, and best seen there too, perhaps, for little Isabella was by no means a demonstrative child. The Lord had touched her young heart, revealing Himself to her in so distinct a manner that she found in His great love a sweet resting-place and a secure abode; and to love Jesus in return was the most natural thing in the world.
She knew Him as her Saviour first, then as her Shepherd, her Lord, and her Friend. Whenever she needed care she went to Jesus; for of Him it is written: “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” (Isa. 40:1111He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)). And when she needed sympathy and comfort, she looked to Jesus too, and, as the little hymn says,
“Found in Him a resting place.”
How fully this little child realized the Lord’s presence with her, a conversation remembered by her aunt will show.
Her aunt had often noticed that in accompanying her up and down stairs, little Isabella carefully left a space between herself and either the wall or the baluster; and, anxious to learn the reason of this, once asked her: “Why do you not walk quite close to the baluster, dear?”
“I want to leave room for Him, auntie,” replied the child.
“And who is Him, dear?” her aunt again asked.
“Oh, Jesus, auntie; He goes up and down with me.”
So near had the Lord drawn His precious lamb to Himself, that nothing was more real to her than His presence, and nothing so constant and faithful as His love; and now that she is no longer a child, the love of Christ is still her precious possession, and the thought of spending eternity with Him who so loved her, her bright hope. J. K.