DEAR children, I wish to tell you about a dear little girl whom I shall call Cora; and how God showed to her Jesus her Saviour when she was less than six years of age. One day Cora came to her mamma and said, “O, I do love the Lord so much, mamma, please get the Bible, quick, and read to me about Him.” Her dear mamma was one who loved the Lord Jesus, and desired nothing so much as that all her dear children should know and love Him who had done so much for them. So, she took her Bible and sat down to read to them. She opened the book at that wonderful scene where our blessed Lord Jesus hung on the cross between two thieves. His hands and His feet nailed to the tree. While a cruel mocking crowd stood all about gazing at Him as He hung there. Dear little children, have you ever heard this wonderful story read from God’s Word? If so, did you ever think why it was that God’s only and well-beloved Son should suffer such a cruel death? It was because of sin. For God says in His Word, “By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin. (Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12).) Also, “The wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).) But why should the holy and spotless Son of God die for sin, when He “knew no sin”? Let me tell you why. It was for our sin. “Christ died for the ungodly.” As little Cora listened to the Word of God, the tears ran down her cheeks. And she said again, “A! how I do love the Lord Jesus He died for me.”
The next morning she came to her mamma again, asking her to read more about the Lord. She said, “I want to hear all about Him.” Her mamma again read to her. Then she told her little girl she must go to her other duties and leave her to play with her little sister. After a while Cora came to her and said, “Mamma, when I am playing I forget about the Lord. I don’t want to forget Him.” Her mamma comforted her by telling her that the Lord never forgets us, even though we may for a time forget Him. He watches over His own dear little ones by night and day.
And now, dear little children who have read this simple story, I want to ask you a question, “Can you, too, say from your heart, ‘I love the Lord Jesus—I know He died for me’?” If so, you can know what it is to have a precious friend always near, when you are at work or play—asleep or awake. Though you cannot see Him now, some day you will see Him and be like Him—and be with Him forever.
ML 10/08/1916