BANK-NOTE Reporter’, sir! Three more banks down,” said a bright little fellow of about ten years, as he entered a counting-room in Broad street, N. one morning with a bundle of papers under his arm. Two men were seated there in comfortable chairs engaged in conversation.
“‘Bank-Note Reporter,’ sir?” said the boy inquiringly.
“No,” said one of the men, “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 men, 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 sweet 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 men inquired,
“Where did you learn that hymn?” “At Sunday school,” replied the boy.
The men bought the “Reporter,” and presented him with a sum of money bides, 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 newsboy may never be forgotten by these men, and that before this, God has blessed this simple testimony.
If some one 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 06:22Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. (Psalm 6:2), 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 loved us? 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 hosannas 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 hosannas 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 hosannas to the name of Jesus sing.”
ML-05/19/1935