H.C. Morrison, who later became a gospel preacher, lost his mother when he was just a tiny infant. Shortly afterward his father also died, and so the little fellow was left an orphan.
Henry grew up, and when a young fellow he got into serious trouble and was arrested. He was arraigned in court, but he had such a sense of guilt that he could not look the judge in the face.
“Has this boy anyone to represent him?” the judge asked the clerk of the court.
“No, your Honor,” was the reply.
“Then,” said the judge to a lawyer present, “I appoint you to take this boy’s case.”
Addressing Henry the lawyer asked, “Are you guilty, or not guilty, my boy?”
“I am guilty, sir!” he replied.
“Don’t you think you had better confess the guilt and ask for the mercy of the court?”
“Yes, sir,” said Henry.
“Please, your Honor,” said the young lawyer addressing the judge, “I have noticed that when the aims of justice can be secured and society protected, it is your Honor’s custom to show mercy. I stand with this trembling orphan boy to beg your Honor’s mercy. He confesses his wrong and pleads for forgiveness.”
Then forgetful of usual court custom and restraint he added, ‘Father, I’ll sponsor this boy and give him an education. I believe he will become an upright and useful citizen!” The judge granted Henry a pardon.
The judge had appointed his own son to represent young Henry.
God the Father has appointed His only Son to plead for sinners. But unlike the judge’s son, the Son of God died to cancel our guilt so that God could show His mercy toward us in forgiving us our sins. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).)
How wonderful a God and Father! How wonderful a Saviour and Friend, His beloved Son!
ML-04/29/1979