Tell us a story, please, Uncle John, tell us a story!” And Uncle John said,
“He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.” Psalms 18:1G.
The bright eyes of the children opened wide with wonder as he slowly spoke these words.
“What does he mean, Elsie?” whispered Jane to her cousin.
“We asked for a story, and you know he always has one ready.” “Well, we shall see.”
“This text,” said Uncle John, “always reminds me of something that happened when I was a little boy. I had a pleasant company of playmates, and we used to enjoy ourselves together, just as you children do now. Near to where we lived was a river, and a bridge across it. We often went there to play, and many times I have stood a long while trying to see the fish as they swam in the water below.
One day while we were playing on the bridge, one of our number, who had climbed on the railing, suddenly slipped, lost his hold and fell. We ran to the side of the bridge and looked over. The water had already closed over him, he had sunk so quickly, and bubbles were rising over him where he went down. We were too young to know what to do, and were too frightened even to call for help. The little fellow rose once more to the surface, struggling for life, but could only give us a look, when, with his arms uplifted for help, he sank again.
A kind man noticed our movements from a short distance, and fearing what had happened, hastened towards us. When he reached the bridge nothing was in sight but one little hand above the water. We had recovered our voices, and pointing at it, we eagerly called out, “There’s his hand! O, there’s his hand!”
That outstretched hand! I seem to see it now. I shall never forget how it looked to me. But the man did not wait a moment. As that hand went out of sight under the water, he plunged into the river and soon brought the drowning boy to the shore. He looked into the pale face of our playmate as he held him in his arms, and in a tone of voice that sent a thrill of joy through all our hearts, he said, “Saved!” Then turning to the rest of us, he added, “Boys, I know you will never forget that little sinking hand. Remember when it comes into your minds, that we are all sinking into a darker place than that river, unless we have trusted One to save us, who alone can do so. This boy will soon be well, and be able to tell that I took him out of the river.
“It is my prayer, that he and every one of you may be able to say of ather better Friend, when you think of the dark waters of sin, in which all who do not love Christ are sinking.
‘He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.’”
“Dear little ones,” said Uncle John, “will you remember that little hand, and the lesson it taught us? Jesus is ready to take hold of those little hands of yours as you lift them up to Him, and allow Him to save you and to take you to dwell with Himself forever in His bright home.”
ML 08/19/1945