IN WESTERN Pennsylvania years ago there lived a farmer with a large family of children. One day little Derrick, just four years old and the youngest of the family, went into the woods nearby and was lost. This was a great sorrow to them all, especially the father and mother.
Getting several neighbors to help him, the father went into the woods searching for the boy. All day they searched without success. When night came on the neighbors went home, but the father refused to go. Getting a lantern he determined to spend the night hunting for his child, but when morning came still the little fellow was missing. Then the father went home to get something to eat before starting out again.
Just as he was getting ready to go an Indian friend who lived in the neighborhood called to see him. The Indian had a fine and intelligent dog and hearing the story of the lost boy, he asked the farmer for the shoes and stockings which little Derrick had worn last. Holding them out to his dog he said, “Chief, I want you to smell these and then go into the woods and try to find the boy who wore them.”
Chief looked at his master for a moment and taking two or three sniffs at the shoes and stockings he started off into the woods.
Knowing they could not keep up with the dog the farmer and the Indian decided they would sit on the porch until he came back. As they sat there they could hear him barking every little while. In about an hour from the time he left, Chief came running back wagging his tail and looking very bright and happy.
“There,” said the Indian, “he has found your boy. Let us go with him.”
They followed Chief and sure enough they found poor little Derrick almost dead with cold and hunger, lying at the foot of a big tree.
What a happy day that was to the farmer and his family. And how thankful little Derrick was to be back home. How much indebted they felt to that Indian and his fine dog, Chief, for the kindness he had done them.
Derrick is like many a little boy and girl, and older ones too, who have strayed away and gotten lost. In Luke 15 we read of the Lord Jesus as the good Shepherd who came to seek and to save that which was lost. “He goeth after that which is lost, until He find it.” The sheep’s need is urgent. Little Derrick was nearly gone when they found him. And how many are perishing out in the cold and darkness of this world!
The shepherd yearns over the lost sheep and the wanderer has no idea what is in his heart. For the blessing is only tasted when the loving Shepherd and the poor lost one meet face to face. The Shepherd died for the sheep. He gave His life a ransom for many. He shed His blood for the remission of sins.
When the good Shepherd has found the lost one, what does He do? “He layeth it on His shoulders rejoicing.” That is, He takes the entire responsibility of the safety of the sheep. He holds it up and keeps it by His almighty power. The sheep is on the shepherd’s shoulders—put there and kept there by him. How precious this is! What perfect safety!
“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:6,76And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:6‑7).
ML-08/26/1973