A DEAR old missionary went one day to speak to some girls at a boarding-school.
Just at the time he had a young black prince staying with him, whom he asked to accompany him and say a few words also Prince J. E—looked astonished, and asked, “What can I say to young ladies who know God—I, who have only known Him such a little while?”
The answer of the missionary surprised him still more. “You say they know God, but that is a mistake. Of course, they have heard of Him ever since they were horn, but some of them do not yet know Him, their hearts have never been touched by His love.”
On arriving at the school, the missionary gave a little address, and showed some idols and curiosities which he had collected in Yoruba, West Africa, and at the close asked his colored friend to speak, and the prince began:—
“Dear young ladies, I cannot say much to you, for I find your language is a very hard one. I thought you all knew more than I do, for I have been brought up in a heathen country, and worshipped idols such as you have been looking at, and I, have only known your God a little while; but my friend tells me that perhaps some of you do not know Him yet, and this seemed so strange to me that I could not find it in my head to believe it. Is it really true? Our gods are so wicked and hard and cruel, we could not love them; but when your missionary came and told us about your God, how loving He is, and how He gave His only dear Son to die such a cruel death to save us, and wash away our black sins, then my heart believed in Him and loved Him. Can you hear about such great love and not love Him back? My eyes feel as if they could weep for you; hut you will soon get to know Him, won’t you? I must tell you that my father is a king, and I might be one next to him; but I do not want to be, I want instead to go and tell my people about this loving God and His Son. Jesus, and my brother may be king. I pray that you may soon all know God.”
Are we like this young black prince, whose heart had been touched by the love of God so that he loved Him in return? or like some of those girls, well-educated as to the things of this world, but ignorant of the love of God?
“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (John 27:3.)
One of those girls never forgot what the prince said. She was struck with her own ingratitude and sin, and found no rest till she knew and believed the love of God in Christ.
ML 06/05/1904