“I say, boys, I vote we have a good skate this afternoon after Sunday school. My brother was on the ice this morning, and he says it’s splendid!”
So spoke Harry Smith to a group of three boys on their way to Sunday school.
“But what will your father say, if he catches you?” asked one of the boys.
“Oh, I am not such a fool as to let him see me! I have got my skates hidden under my jacket.”
“Well, I don’t believe it is right, and I for one am not going,” said the eldest of the four.
“Well, we can do without you, Mr. Goody-goody,” said Harry, and the three made up their minds for a skate before the day was out. So they entered the Sunday school and made their plans for the afternoon.
The teacher almost startled the boys when he began by saying, “I am going to say a few words to you this afternoon, boys, about skating on Sunday.”
He then went on to show the boys, amid their breathless attention, how displeasing it was to God to leave Him out and to use the Lord’s day merely for our own pleasure. He went on to point out that we are not under law, but how much better it would be to spend His day in some little service for Him, or in reading our Bibles or some good Christian books. The teacher never seemed so earnest before in his life. Two of the boys made up their minds that they would not go skating after all, but Harry Smith was determined as ever. He didn’t see why his teacher should interfere with what he wanted to do. He was going to have his skate, come what may.
That afternoon there was a meeting for Sunday school teachers, and so Hay’s teacher stayed behind with the rest. About four o’clock they all left the school to go home. The way home took him past the skating pond.
Right away, on the other side of the pond, he thought he recognized his scholar, Harry Smith, by his red scarf and flat hat. He climbed up on the bank, hoping his eyes had deceived him. No, it was Harry Smith.
Sorrowfully he was about to turn away, when Harry came skating right up to the place where he was standing.
Hoping to be able to speak to him, he stood still. With laughing enjoyment, and a strange sense of guilt combined, on came Harry, as swift as the wind. In a moment he was only about ten yards from the spot where his teacher stood. A crash! a splash! and Harry was struggling in the icy water. He had gone on to ice that had been broken the day before, and only slightly frozen over. The last eye Harry saw as he sank in the water was his teacher’s.
Immediately his teacher plunged in. The people crowded around, as near to the spot as they dared. He came to the surface, but without the boy. Hardly pausing for breath, he dove in again, for he was a good swimmer. Then there was a shout. Hurray! He had got him, and the excited crowd saw Harry pushed up to the surface. Eagerly a dozen men joined hands and snatching hold of Harry, they pulled him safely on shore. His teacher’s hands were seen; they tried to grasp them, but failed; he sank, and was seen no more. Next day they broke the ice all around there, and fished for his dead body with grappling irons, and after some time it was brought up.
A sorrowful group gathered around the grave. The most sorrowful of all was Harry Smith, who never forgot the lesson he learned that day.
Dear young friends, that Sunday school teacher lost his life in saving Harry Smith. How lovely to think, though, that his spirit went to be with the Lord Jesus whom he loved and sought to serve on earth.
But this only reminds us of a greater love, and of a greater sacrifice: the love of the blessed Lord Jesus Christ and of His death upon Calvary’s cross for sinners like you and me. He gave His life upon the cross in order that we might be saved. What has been your return for His wonderful love to you? Now the risen, ascended Saviour, He lives in the glory at God’s right hand, and He wants your heart, and He wants you to live your life for Him down here. If you trust Him as your Saviour now, one day soon when He comes in the clouds to call all His redeemed ones home to heaven, He will take you to be with Himself forever.
ML 02/08/1959