‘BANK-NOTE Reporter’, sir! Three more banks down,” said a bright little fellow, of about ten years, as he entered a counting-room in Broadstreet, New York, one morning with a bundle of papers under his arm. As he entered two gentlemen were seated in comfortable chairs engaged in conversation.
“Bank-Note Reporter,’ sir?” said the boy inquiringly,
“No,” said one of the gentlemen, “we don’t want any; but stop,” added he; “if you will sing us a song we will buy one of your ‘Reporters’.”
The boy readily agreed to the terms, and the gentlemen, with an air which showed they were expecting some sport, placed the little fellow on a high stool, which was standing near, and bade him proceed to sing. They then waited, evidently expecting to hear some comical song, when to their astonishment, he commenced to sing that beautiful hymn;
“I think when I read that story of old,
When Jesus was here among men,
How He called little children as lambs to His fold,
I should like to have been with Him then.”
The effect of this sweet hymn was soon noticed upon the hearers, for before he had finished four verses they were both in tears. After he had finished, one of the gentlemen inquired;
“Where did you learn that hymn?”
“At Sunday-school,” replied the boy.
The gentlemen then purchased the “Reporter,” and presented him with a sum of money besides, after which he was allowed to go on his way, but not until they had called him back to obtain his address.
A Sunday-school teacher happened to be present, and witnessed the whole interview, and his heart rejoiced as he discovered the bright-eyed little boy was a scholar in his own Sunday-school.
Let us hope the confession of the Lord Jesus in song by this dear news-boy, may never be forgotten by these men, and that e’er this, God has blessed this simple testimony.
If someone were to ask you to sing a song, of whom would you sing? Can you say like the Psalmist? “Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day”? Psalm 96:22Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day. (Psalm 96:2). Or would you be ashamed to speak that sweet name in the hearing of your unsaved friends?
All who know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour have reason to be proud of that name— “Jesus”—for who has loved us as He has? He gave His life for us. He could not have done more. Should we then be ashamed of such a Friend?
“Little children, praise the Saviour;
He regards you from above:
Praise Him for His great salvation,
Praise Him for His gracious love!
Sweet hosanas to the name of Jesus sing.
When the anxious mothers round Him,
With their tender infants pressed,
He with open arms received them,
And the little ones He blessed.
Sweet hosanas to the name of Jesus sing.
Little children, praise the Saviour,
Praise Him, your undying Friend;
Praise Him, till above you meet Him;
There to praise Him without end.
Sweet hosanas to the name of Jesus sing.”
ML 02/03/1924