A STORY is told of a poor African mother in the days of slavery who was starving with her children. There were five in the family, and she and her husband resolved to sell one of them for a slave. They would buy food with the money they would get for it, and so save the rest. So all the five were placed in a row, and Father and Mother looked at them.
“Well, we can’t sell Sam,” said the father; “he is so strong and active, we couldn’t do without him.”
“Cassy certainly must not go,” said the mother; “she minds the children, and is my greatest comfort.”
“Well, poor Tom shall not be sold; he is so patient and gentle, and could not bear hard treatment,” said the father, “and I am sure I will never part with Chloe, who is the life of us all — she is so merry.”
“And would you have me give up my baby, then?” said the mother.
“No, we cannot spare one of them we had better starve a little longer first.”
These poor African parents had five dear children, and they could not spare one; but God gave His only Son for our sakes. He “spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all.” Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:99In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9). Do not despise or neglect such wonderful love.
Will you not prove this wonderful love,
That flows from God’s heart so free,
Which led Him to give, that sinners might live,
His Son to be nailed to the tree.
ML-01/07/1962