IN my class of little girls, I had no more attentive scholar than “Wee Annie.” She came first with her brother Ned when she was four years old, and from the first day, I was much drawn to her. Annie was an orphan her mother died when she was a baby, and soon after, her father passed away, His last words as he kissed “Wee Annie” were,
“Your Mama and Dada will be looking for your coming up to Jesus’ happy home in heaven.”
“Wee Annie” and Ned were taken to their grandmother’s home, and although she was in very humble circumstances, the two children were well cared for and happy. But “Grandma” did not know the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. She was a religious woman, but I fear she expected to get to heaven by her good works. When Annie was old enough to be able to read, she would read to her simple Gospel stories front the magazine she got at Sunday school, and grandma, while sitting darning her stockings, would listen attentively.
But I must tell you of Annie’s conversion. Our lesson one afternoon was about the blood on the doorposts, and how all in the houses where the blood was were safe.
“That’s just how it is with every boy and girl who trusts in Jesus’ blood,” I said.
“Wee Annie” went home and told grandma that she was not afraid to die now, because she knew the “blood mark” was on her. Grandma was surprised, and talked about it all the week, asking Annie many questions as to what it all meant.
“Come to my Sunday school, grandma, and my teacher will tell you about it,” said Annie, and the following Sunday afternoon, there was quite a sensation in the school, when Annie entered leading by the hand an aged woman, whom she introduced to me by saying,
“Teacher, this is my grandma, she has come to hear about Jesus, and the way to heaven.” I had a nice talk with her after the school was over, and was invited to go and spend an evening with her in her cottage, which I did.
It was a good many weeks before she would own that she was a sinner, unfit for heaven, and unable to do anything to take her there, but the Word in the hand of the Spirit began to take effect, and grandma at length owned that she was lost and needed a Saviour. And then what joy it was to see her “come as she was,” helpless and without any goodness of her own, and cast herself on Jesus, who welcomed her, saved her, and made her happy. I have spent many a happy, happy evening in grandma’s humble cottage, reading the Word, and speaking of Jesus who loves us.
Ned is now a bright young man, saved and on the way to heaven. Annie has the infant class in our Sunday school, where first she learned the way to heaven, and grandma now old and feeble, but happy in the Lord, sits in her armchair and joins heartily in the song of praise that often rises from around her hearth. Will you have Annie’s Saviour as yours?
ML 08/29/1937