IN a cold country called Sweden, which I daresay many of you have seen on the map, there lived a little boy. whom we will name Karl. I do not think he was an idle boy; for he said to his mother one day, “Do you know what is the saddest thing in all the world? it is, to have nothing to do.”
It is quite true that children are not happy when they are idle; and I once heard of a school, where, if a new scholar came in, he was not given anything to do, only set to watch the others who were busy at their work, and this would make him wish to begin to work too.
But now we will return to little Karl’s question; and I want to ask you, each one, “What do you think is the saddest thing in the world?” Some will say one thing, and some another; but shall I tell you what I think and know to be the saddest of all? It is to be living in this world without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and thus to be without hope for eternity.
Now Karl has long since grown up and been at sea, where I have no doubt he has had plenty to do; and if we could have a chat with him he, would have a great deal to tell us of the wonderful things he has seen and heard. But I am afraid he has not yet got what is the best thing to have in this world; for I heard only just lately that his younger brother, who is so happy in having been recently brought to the Saviour, was longing that Karl should be converted too. And indeed I hope we shall soon hear the same good news of him also. The father of these two dear youths has long been in heaven; but they have a praying mother still left on earth. And God loves to hear and answer prayer.
ML 12/30/1906