A LITTLE girl, eight years old, and her younger brother, were sitting one evening in winter, around their cozy fire, playing hide-and-seek between their parents, and under the chairs.
When the lights were brought, both children exclaimed, “Oh, mamma, please read to us?” The Bible was brought and the children sat eagerly listening to the story of Jesus and His love. They read those verses in Luke 22:3939And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. (Luke 22:39) to end and Luke 23, telling of the great any He suffered in the garden, when great drops of blood fell from His brow; how patiently He endured the rude treatment of cruel soldiers, the scourging, the spitting, the mocking, the crowning with a crown of thorns, and after all actually let them put Him to death, although they found no cause of death in Him—and all for love to us.
Suddenly the mother’s voice faltered and she broke out crying, for it was only a few weeks before that she had learned how much her dear Saviour had suffered for her.
“Mamma,” said the little boy, putting his arms around her, “why are you crying? Are you sorry Jesus let them treat Him so?” “No,” said the mother, for if Jesus had not died upon that cross for us, we must each have been punished for our own sins; but I was just thinking how hard hearted and ungrateful I have been in living so long without ever thanking Him.”
All this time, little Mary sat still and unnoticed, when suddenly she began sobbing bitterly, and said, “Oh, mamma, do you think Jesus will receive me now, just as I am, if I ask Him?” “Yes, dear, I know He will,” says the mother,” “for He tells us, that ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out’.”
“Do let us ask Him,” said Mary, and sinking on her knees, she told Him how sorry she was for her sins and that she wanted to be His little lamb. She thanked Him for being punished instead of her, and asked Him to hold her tightly as she was so small.
Now, dear young readers, have you ever thanked the Lord Jesus for dying for your sins? If not, do so now. He will receive you now, just as you are, however small and however bad; He will wash all you sins away by His precious blood that was shed on that cruel cross, and make you one of His children, and then when He comes,—and that is very soon now,—to take all those that love Him, up to that glorious and happy home He has prepared for us in the mansions above. He will take you, too. Accept Jesus as your Saviour now and do not treat Him so ungratefully. W. S.
ML 06/18/1899