HOLLAND IS a beautiful country, with many green fields, and with cattle and sheep grazing in the pastures. The land is so flat that at times the sea has rushed in over the embankments and destroyed whole towns. In one of these floods, many years ago, more than 20,000 souls were drowned, and in some of the towns that were flooded not a creature survived. Much of the sea that came in at the time of that flood still remains. It is known as “The Maas,” and in one part of the sea there is a little green island — part of an old dike — which is called the “Kinder Dike,” or “Child Dike,” and it got its name this way.
During a great storm, the sea rushed over one of the little Friesland villages and no one had any warning. In one of the houses apparently lay a little child asleep in its cradle—an old-fashioned cradle, made of good stout wood, tight and strong.
By the side of the cradle lay the old family cat, baby’s friend, probably purring away and as comfortable as he could wish. In came the waters with a fearful roar. The old cat, in his fright, must have jumped into the cradle with the baby, who slept through the turmoil as quiet as ever. The house was torn from its foundation and broken into pieces, but the little cradle floated out on the angry sea in that dark night, bearing safely its precious burden within.
When morning came, there was nothing to be seen of the village or the green meadows. All was water. Hundreds of people were out in boats trying to save as many lives as possible. On this little bit of island I have told you about, what do you think they found? Why, there was the old cradle with the baby asleep in it, and the old cat curled up at her feet, both safe and sound.
Where the little voyagers came from, and to whom they belonged, no one could tell. But in memory of them, this little island was called “Child Dike,” and it goes by that name to this day. This story is told to thousands of little people all over Holland, as a remarkable instance of God’s providence.
The Lord Jesus is a refuge in time of storm for all who trust Him as their Saviour. The flood waters of God’s judgment are soon to sweep over this sinful world, and all who are outside of Christ will be swept away — they will perish. But “safe in Christ” will be the weakest child that trusts in Jesus. He is able to save — able to keep. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
ML-04/12/1970