NOT long since, two little boys, the elder appearing about thirteen and the younger eleven years of age, called at the lodging-house for vagrants in the town of Warrington for a night's lodging. The keeper of the house very properly took them to the vagrant office to be examined, and if proper objects, to be relieved. The account they gave of themselves was extremely affecting, and no doubt was entertained of its truth.
It appeared that but a few weeks had elapsed since these poor little wanderers had resided with their parents in London. A serious illness, however, in one day carried off both father and mother, leaving them orphans, in a wide world, without a home and without friends!
Immediately after the last mournful tribute had been paid to their parents' memory, having an uncle in Liverpool, poor and destitute as they were, they resolved to go and throw themselves upon his protection. Tired therefore and faint, they arrived at Warrington on their way.
Two bundles contained their all. In the younger boy's was found, neatly covered and carefully preserved, a Bible. The keeper of the lodging-house, addressing the little boy, said: "You have neither money nor meat, will you sell me the Bible? I will give you five shillings for it."
"No! " exclaimed he, the tears rolling down his youthful cheeks, "I'll starve first." The man then said, "There are plenty of books to be bought besides this, why do you love the Bible so much?”
"No book has been my friend so much as my Bible."
"Why, what has your Bible done for you?” The lad answered: "When I was a little boy, about seven years of age, I became a Sunday scholar in London. Through the kind attention of my master, I soon learned to read my Bible. This Bible, young as I was, showed me that I was a sinner, and a great one, too. It also pointed to a Savior; and I thank God that I have found mercy at the hands of Christ, and am not ashamed to confess Him before the world."
To try him still further, six shillings were then offered him for his Bible. "No," said he, "for it has been my support all the way from London. Hungry and weary, often have I sat down by the wayside to read my Bible, and have found refreshment from it."
Thus did he experience the consolations of the Psalmist when, in the multitude of the sorrows that he had in his heart, he said, "Thy comforts delight my soul."
He was then asked, "What will you do when you get to Liverpool, should your uncle refuse to take you in?” His reply may excite a blush in many established Christians: "My Bible tells me," said he, "that `when my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.' "
The man could go on no further; tears closed his utterance, and they both wept together. The boys had in their pockets, tickets, as rewards for their good conduct, from the school to which they belonged; and thankfulness and humility were visible in all their deportment. At night, these two little orphans, bending their knees by the side of their beds, committed themselves to the care of their heavenly Father—to Him whose ears are ever open to the poor and destitute—to Him who has said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."
The next morning, these refreshed little wanderers arose early, and set out for the town of Liverpool.
Anon.