INSIDE the upper part of St. Leonard’s Tower at Bridgenorth, two boys were at play, when the beam or joist on which they were standing gave way. One of them had just time to catch hold of the beam, and suspend himself from it; while the other, slipping over the body, caught hold of his legs, and thus they hung for some time, calling for help, but in vain.
At length the boy who clung to the beam said he could hold out no longer, upon which the other, who was clinging to him said, “Do you think you could save yourself if I were to loose you?”
“Yes,” said the other, “I think I could.”
“Well then,” said he, “God bless you!” and loosing hold, he fell, and was dashed to pieces on the stone floor below. Upon this, his companion either climbed to some place of safety, or stayed till someone came to his help.
Here we have a remarkable instance of heroic self-sacrifice; of devoted affection; a beautiful illustration of the ways of One well known to our hearts. Wondrous was the love of this dear boy to his friend. But what was into the love Christ has for us? What to the love that led Him to Calvary, there to give His life a ransom for us; to suffer the just for the unjust, in order to bring us to God; that wrung from Him that cry of unparalleled anguish, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”