A little Indian boy, in the last stages of tuberculosis, was visited by a Christian. The poor boy was lying on a few leaves and covered with a dirty blanket. The visitor looked at him with deep pity and asked if there was anything he could do to relieve his wants. The poor boy replied,
“Nothing, sir. I am very happy. Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, died for my sins; and I trust only in Him.”
When asked if he found comfort in his Bible, he replied, “That, sir, is my dear friend. Last year I went to visit my sister, two hundred miles up the lake. When I was halfway back, I remembered I had left my Bible. I turned directly around; and myself and my canoe were nine days tossing on the lake before I reached the house. But I got my friend at last; and I never mean to part with it till I am dead. Then, sir, I want you to give it away, so that it may do good to others.”
I wonder how many of our little readers can say, with this dear little Indian boy, that the Bible “IS MY DEAR FRIEND.” We like to have a dear friend near us, and to hear that one speak to us, and if the Bible is “MY DEAR FRIEND,” will I not read it often to hear God speaking to me? It is God’s message concerning His beloved Son, and the more we realize the love of Christ for us, the greater will be our love for that Bible which the little Indian boy could call “MY DEAR FRIEND.”
ML 10/04/1953