This is the story of a little orphan boy in Germany. He was eleven years old, with a hard lonely life behind him, and a bitter look on his young face. The Lord put it into the hearts of some Christian women to take him into their orphanage, to try to teach him of Jesus.
The “little mother” in his new home, gave him the best bed she could supply, which was a straw mattress on the floor, not far from the stove. Each morning, she prepared a hot breakfast for her dear little orphans, and then gathered them around her to read a chapter from the Bible, and explain it earnestly to their hearts.
Our little friend smiled, a hard, bitter smile. He did not say anything, but the mocking look on his face, morning after morning, troubled the little mother greatly. He appreciated what was done for him, but he would have nothing to do with Christ, the Saviour of sinners.
One morning, the little mother felt she must ask that boy to go out of the room. His face troubled her so that she could scarcely tell of her precious Saviour to the other children. Just then, she noticed a strange smell from upstairs, and, rushing up, she found the room filled with smoke. That very’ boy, in disobedience, had left his straw mattress too near the stove, and it was at that moment, bursting into flame.
She shouted for the gardener, and hurried at once to carry out the two little orphan babies who were sleeping in the room. The gardener heard, and in a few moments was able to put out the flames without further damage. But the little mother’s hand was very badly and painfully burned, in saving her babies from the fire.
All the little ones gathered around their beloved little mother, and felt so sorry for her poor suffering hand, but the boy who had caused it was not there. He had gone away to pray, for the first time in his life, that the Lord Jesus would quickly heal the injured hand.
It did heal, much more quickly than anyone had expected, and the dear boy prayed again, this time for himself. And the Saviour whom he had despised, was ready to come into that sinful young heart, and cleanse it from all sin and fill it with love and joy and peace.
The same Saviour is willing to come into your heart, dear reader, no matter what your past may have been. His sufferings during those dark hours on Calvary were for sinners like you and me. God placed the sins of all who believe upon His blessed holy head and He bore the punishment in our place. Now as a risen Saviour He offers peace and pardon to “whosoever will.”
ML 11/29/1953