Part 6
FROM this time Richard paid frequent visits to his old neighbor, and although his sadness occasionally returned his state of mind was much more peaceful. His former dislike to the boy was changed into warm affection, and even in his most dejected moments, the mere appearance of our little friend was sufficient to chase away all dark clouds from his brow.
But one day about noon the old housekeeper stood near the thorn hedge, and called loudly to Richard,
“Come over quickly, little one,” cried she. “My master insists on going to the apple-tree, and is talking wildly. I think he will be calmed when he sees you.”
Richard leaped over the hedge, hastened to the house, and entered the room. The old man strode uneasily to and fro.
Violent lamentations escaped his lips; he seemed to imagine that he was standing opposite the fatal apple-tree, and that he saw something extraordinary there. Great terror was in his looks, and although he sometimes seemed to hearken to Richard’s comforting words, it was only for a few moments. Then the boy took the Bible in his hands, and, opening it, his eyes fell on the following passage, which he read aloud:
The old man’s steps were arrested. These words had pierced through his soul as lightning; and, gazing long at his little friend, he exclaimed at last,
“How, boy, could I find rest for my soul? Could this be possible? Where are those words?”
Richard pointed to the passage, and repeated slowly the words, “and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
“Alas!” sighed the old man; “what must I do to get this rest?”
“You must go to Jesus, my friend,” said Mr. M., who had entered the room unperceived, and had been a witness of the scene. “Only Jesus can give this rest. It is He who calls to you, ‘Come unto Me.’ He can and will give rest to the weary and heavy laden.”
“But am I also included in this appeal?” asked the old man anxiously.
“Are you not heavy laden?” asked Mr. M. “All such He invites without exception. All who are lost and laden with sin are invited to come, in order through grace to receive forgiveness of sins, peace, righteousness, and eternal life.”
“But if—I—were even—a murderer?” murmured he in a trembling voice.
“Even in such a dreadful case,” was the answer, “you have no cause to doubt the love and grace of God, but can come as one heavy laden to Jesus. Know you not the history of the thief on the cross, who, because he merited death, had to suffer for his wicked deeds, and yet found eternal salvation. And why? Because he saw himself a lost sinner, and fled for refuge to Jesus. You are a great sinner, and have deserved death; but the Lord Jesus hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.”
To be continued.
ML 06/18/1933