A little boy in Africa had just left a Sunday school room and had, by mistake, taken along with him a hymn book. One or two of the other boys seeing him with it accused him of stealing it.
To be called a thief really troubled the poor boy. His teacher had been talking to him about the Lord Jesus and he had become very anxious about his soul.
He was in tears when he reached home, and he told his mother all about his trouble. She told him to take the book to his teacher and apologize for the mistake.
The boy's teacher longed to see him rejoicing in Christ Jesus. So in sympathy she said: "Never mind, you learn this hymn, and say it to me before all the boys next Sunday."
She pointed out a certain hymn in the book. "When you say that, they will see that you have at least made good use of the book."
Studying hard, he learned the little song. All that week his mother couldn't help noticing that all the clouds had left his face. One night she said to him: "Well, what has come in to make such a difference with you?"
With tears of joy on his upturned face, and without any other comment, he answered in the words of the hymn he had been learning:
Precious, precious blood of Jesus,
Shed on Calvary;
Shed for rebels, shed for sinners,
SHED FOR ME!
He nodded his head happily as he repeated the last two lines.
This boy had learned God's way as to how a guilty conscience can be set at rest, a troubled heart can find joy and peace. God's testimony to the blood had done it.