It was a beautiful day in early spring, and the sun shone brightly upon the smiling faces and gay dresses of the crowd of men, women, and children who thronged the streets of the old Portuguese town of Figueira de Foz. A festival was being held, so shops and schools were closed, as it was a general holiday.
Two schoolboys had been for some time walking together. When they got outside the town, one drew his friend into a shady nook, whispering as he did so, “Alfredo, I have something to show you. See!” And he drew a small thin book in paper covers from his pocket. Alfredo’s love of reading was well known among his schoolmates, and his friend noticed the look of delight that came into his face as he turned the pages of the Gospel of Matthew.
“Where did you get it, Pablo?” Alfredo asked after some time spent in a still further examination of the book.
“At the fair,” replied Pablo. “I won it in a raffle.”
“Will you sell it?” Alfredo asked eagerly.
“I don’t care to. But what do you have to offer?” said Pablo.
Alfredo drew a small silver coin from his pocket, but Pablo shook his head. A pocket-knife was next offered and refused. Alfredo felt that he really wanted the book, for again and again as he turned the pages, his eyes had rested on the words “Jesus Christ,” and the trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, are saved for all eternity:
Love led the mother to protect her child. And
Oh, ‘twas love, ‘twas wondrous love!
The love of God to me:
It brought my Saviour from above,
To die on Calvary.
Did the young elephant love its saviour? And do you, dear reader, love the Saviour of sinners?
ML 09/20/1959