Roby was our youngest scholar in our Sunday school, and I took her under my especial care, and saw her home at the close of school in the darkening evenings of the Autumn. Some of our teachers thought she was “too young” to understand what was said, but I sought to remind them that it was “young children” (Mark 10:13), — in fact, “babes” (Luke 18:15, R.V) — whom the Lord “called for” and blessed, and concerning whom He said,
“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” Math 10:14.
On condition that Roby would not prove troublesome to others in my class, she was allowed to remain. And being a bright and very intelligent child, she gave me much pleasure, and showed great interest in the Bible Stories we had for our lessons. And Roby was always bright and smiling, and soon became a general favorite in the school. She picked up some of our best-known Gospel Hymns very quickly, and before she had been six months in our Suay school, could sing sweetly and well, such hymns as
“Jesus loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so,”
and others, we taught the children to memorize and sing at home. But the best of all, to those of us who watched that young and tender heart opening to the “old, old, story” of a Redeemer’s love, and to the good news of a present salvation to all who believe on Him, and yield their young hearts to Him as their personal Saviour, was the marked operations of the Spirit in the soul of this precious child, in winning her to Christ, as I have not the shadow of a doubt He did.
We never press our scholars, to “profess” their faith in the Lord Jesus, or to say “they have been saved.” We simply sow the good Seed in their hearts, and leave the Holy Spirit to quicken it into life, as He is ever ready to do, wherever it is received in a simple trust, such as even a young child may give. And which I am fully assured, very many do give to the gospel we seek in all simplicity, to set before them, with the truths that tell their need of it, unto salvation.
There were quite a few of our young scholars that year who were saved, as their after lives have very blessedly shown. And Roby, dear child, was among them.
The dear little children who know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour, are His little lambs, and He loves them and cares for them.
“He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isaiah 40:11.
ML 02/20/1944