Far up among the Cumberland Fells, where wintry blizzards rage, and deep snowdrifts lie, Ben, a young shepherd, while leading home his flock to shelter near the farm, fell exhausted in the field, and was found by searchers, some hours after, with a lamb locked in his bosom. He had lifted the tiny creature there for warmth and sheer, and no doubt saved it from a cruel death that wintry night.
It was many days before the shepherd boy got over the effects of that noble deed, which nearly cost him his life.
The following Spring, a preacher of the Gospel came to a village, not far from the farm where Ben, the shepherd, still cared for a flock of sheep, and his message of present salvation, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)), faithfully spoken in the Spirit’s power, was used in the conversion of a number, both old and young.
Ben was invited by a neighbor to go to the meeting in the village on the Sunday night, and. while the preacher was telling in tender words the story of the Good Shepherd, Who went out into the lone wilderness after the wandering sheep, and brought it back on His shoulders rejoicing, Ben, it was noticed, was deeply interested, for well he knew what such a jourey meant. But when at the close of the address, the “Ninety and Nine’’—then quite new—was softly sung by many who had experienced in power the truths it so touchingly tells forth, it was noticed that when the words were reached—
“But none of the ransomed ever knew,
How deep were the waters crossed;
Or how dark was the night that the Lord passed through,
Ere He found the sheep which was lost.”
Ben’s eyes were fixed on the floor, the tears were coursing down his ruddy cheeks, and before the hymn was finished, he had buried his head in his hands and was sobbing aloud. And it was more than mere feelings and natural sentiment with Ben, for the Spirit of God had convicted him of sin, and shown him that it was because of his sins and follies tin the Saviour suffered thus. That night Ben was soundly converted, and confessed the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)), as His Redeemer and Saviour. He singled himself out from all the rest, and like one who knew himself as the “chief of sinners’ (1 Tim, 1:15), he said,
“Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out.”
“I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven await, and will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick.” Ezek. 34:11, 1611For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. (Ezekiel 34:11)
16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. (Ezekiel 34:16).
ML 01/14/1940