WILLIAM was the only son of a pharmacist, Dr. N. He was such a loving boy, always lively and happy. Many envied him because of his pretty face and beautiful curls. Yet the little fellow was not to be envied; appearances often deceive. Rosy cheeks and a pretty face are not always signs of health, and to the casual observer, many appear to be strong and robust, until a sudden flush of the cheeks betrays the gnawing of disease at the seemingly strong body.
With William this was the case. His outward looks were deceiving. The precious little bud had begun to wither. The little boy, who before was so full of life and joy, began to grow dull and weary. For a long time, his father sought to persuade himself and others, that the case was not as serious as it really was, but at last he had to admit that his child was fatally ill, and he was fading away. Everything possible was done to hinder the progress of the disease, but all remedies proved insufficient — nothing was found to give the little sufferer the desired health back again.
“O, papa,” exclaimed the little one in great fear; “I do not wish to die! Just think, how terrible to be laid into the dark, cold grave! And there I must always stay, must I not, papa? O, that makes me so afraid! Is there no way to get to heaven? Have you any medicine for that, papa?”
Poor man! What answer could he give to such pitiful words? He tried to make the child think of other things, for he could not give a direct answer, as he did not know the way to get to heaven, and his well-equipped pharmacy had no remedy for such a case.
The only Physician who was able to help him, he did not go to. He did not want to go to the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, who invites the tired and sorrowing ones to Himself, so kindly, saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).)
William grew worse from day to day, and had to keep his bed. No one now envied him. Those who had known him before, with his round cheeks and blooming face, would not have recognized him.
But was there no one who knew of the only remedy which was of avail at this time? Did none of the friends of the pharmacist know that great and loving Physician who dispenses His wonderful remedy altogether without money and without price?
Yes, there was one. To be sure, he was not classed among the friends of Dr. N.
He was not a learned man, nor a fellow-druggist, but only a boy, whom the Dr. had picked off the street to run his errands.
So it was not a rich man, nor a nobleman, and yet he was rich and noble.
He was an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. He had become rich through faith in the One who had become poor in coming into this world and laying aside His glory in order to go to the cross to take our place in judgment, and redeem us to God by His blood. He now knew God as his Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and therefore was made both rich and noble.
Like William, he at one time was unhappy and full of fear in regard to eternity, but he now knew that all his sins were washed away in the blood of Christ.
David, the errand boy, had often wished to speak to his master’s sick son about his soul’s salvation, but had not found an opportunity. He was not allowed to enter the sick room, for his master knew that he was a Christian, and with his heart at enmity against God, it was no wonder he did not allow the boy to visit the little sufferer.
David, therefore, was very much astonished when his master came to him one day, and said, “William wishes to see you, David. Go and entertain him for a while, and seek to brighten him up.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” said the boy gladly.
“But one thing, I tell you, boy, not a word about religion, you understand! I do not care for you or your views, and Willie shall not be bothered with them.”
David stood there quite shocked; was such language possible in the face of death, and that from a man of common reason?
“I am not to speak of the Lord Jesus, Doctor?” he exclaimed, “That is impossible. I must speak of Him!”
“Listen, David, my child wishes to see you, and for that reason I would like for you to go to him, and if you do as I have told you, you shall have a dollar.”
One dollar! That was quite a large sum for David, but he did not waver for a moment.
“O, Doctor,” he exclaimed: “That would be a bad promise. I want to show him the way to heaven, and tell him of the only remedy which can help him.”
The doctor began to get provoked. What, should an errand boy instruct his son? When David remained firm, he sent him away, but he had not reached the door when he was called back.
“Come back here,” commanded the doctor; “go and entertain my boy, but see to it that he keeps under the covers.”
This David promised gladly and with a happy heart he soon sat near the bedside of the little sufferer, holding his thin and wasted hand in his own.
Before long he began to tell him of his beloved Lord who suffered and died for sinners, who once tasted that bitter cup of judgment for us, that we might have a remedy for our great need. He pointed the troubled one to the loving Saviour, who was wounded for our transgressions, who was bruised for our iniquities, with whose stripes we are healed.
As these words of comfort came flowing from the lips of the little evangelist, the sick one did not turn his eyes from him. That was just what he so greatly needed—rest for his troubled soul.
William did not have to be urged to come to Jesus. He was so glad that he was allowed to come, just as he was, with all his sins, into the outstretched arms of the Good Shepherd.
He there and then believed in Jesus as his Saviour and found rest and peace in Him, which he so much desired. He had now found the sure and only remedy—the way in which he would reach heaven—through the Lord Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the Way.”
The effect this assurance of salvation had upon William was remarkable. While before this he was downcast and unhappy, and at times almost in despair, he was now able to sing for joy, in spite of his pain. He knew he need not fear the dark, cold grave any more, and that he was no longer facing an uncertain future, and death would only safely land him at home with his Saviour.
An hour later his father entered the room. One look was sufficient to convince him that a change had taken place with his little son. Instead of meeting a sad and troubled face as before, he now looked into a pair of eyes beaming with joy, and from two children’s voices, one strong and the other weak, the words of a beautiful hymn to the praise of the Saviour’s love and grace, sounded in his ears.
We do not know what, at this time was going on in the heart of the doctor, but the Lord was pleased to use the departure of his little son for his salvation.
Just before William passed away, the parents and relatives surrounded his bed, moaning and weeping, but the little sufferer began to sing one of his favorite hymns with a clear, but weak voice, but in a short time, his voice gave way, and he fell back on the pillow. A deep sleep came over him, and he slept on into a happy eternity, to awaken in the presence of the Lord.
“Truly, Jesus has taken away all his pain,” whispered his father when he saw such a peaceful departure.
The father was not yet saved, but the wonderful change which had taken place in his son during the darkest days of his life, had made a lasting impression upon him, but a deeper work was yet to be done in the heart of the once proud and rebellious man, and the same remedy which had met his beloved little one’s need, should also prove abundantly sufficient for his.
Not long after the death of his child, the doctor became seriously ill and lingered for some time between life and death, but a change came for the better, and at the doctor’s own request, David was sent for to come and wait on him.
Here, too, the faithful little witness did his duty cheerfully. In order to make good use of his time, when he thought the doctor was sleeping, he would go over the verses to be learned for the next Lord’s day in Sunday-school, repeating them in a low tone. But quite often the sick man was not asleep, nor did he interrupt the boy, but listened quietly. In this way he heard the Word of God.
As David was, one day, bringing the doctor a cup of broth, he stepped quietly into the room, as he was accustomed to do. The sick one was all alone, and had not noticed the errand boy enter. On his bed before him lay the open Bible; David heard him whisper in much earnestness, “O, Lord Jesus, Thou true and only source of salvation, wash me from my sins!”
Thus Dr. N. came to Jesus, and he proved the preciousness and efficacy of this only remedy — the only means of salvation—Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Do you, dear reader, know Him as your Saviour?
Jesus is a loving Saviour,
Love it was that brought Him low;
Come, He says, in words of mercy,
Prove My loving-kindness now.
Jesus is a mighty Saviour,
Strong His outstretched arm to save;
He has vanquished death and Satan.
He has triumphed o’er the grave.
Jesus is a willing Saviour,
Fully, freely, He forgives;
And the soul which looks unto Him
From that happy moment lives.
Jesus is a righteous Saviour.
He has suffered once for sins;
Death He suffered, era in triumph
He could bring redemption in.
Jesus is a lasting Saviour,
Ever will His love endure;
Souls which rest by faith upon Him
Are eternally secure.
ML 10/13/1912