In a Western town in the United States lived a father, mother and little son, John. Times were hard and they were very poor. But something far worse than poverty overtook the little family― both father and mother died in an epidemic which swept through the area. After the funeral expenses were paid, there was practically nothing left for their poor son, John.
In his troubles his thoughts turned to a relative who lived in Chicago. He had heard his father and mother talk of him. But to John, Chicago was a long way away; besides he had no money.
One day, lonely and forlorn, as he wandered near the railway station, a train thundered in and stopped beside the platform. John asked a man in the crowd where the train was going.
"To Chicago," was the reply.
"Chicago!" exclaimed John moving nearer to the train. "That's where I want to go."
Presently, while he stood wistfully watching, the conductor shouted.
"All aboard!" And with that the engine's bell began ringing.
"All aboard?" thought John. "Why, that means everybody aboard, and if everybody's invited to get on, that means me."
"ALL ABOARD!" again shouted the conductor louder than ever, and without further hesitation John clambered aboard and took a seat. In a few more seconds the train moved swiftly on its way.
Before long, however, the conductor appeared asking for tickets. But John had no ticket, neither had he any money. Whereupon the stern conductor eyed him severely and ordered him to leave the train at the next station.
This he did; and again could be seen standing alone on the platform. But to his astonishment and delight, the conductor shouted again, "ALL ABOARD!"
And again John responded and took his seat on the train.
Here he was again confronted by the conductor who angrily demanded: "Did I not order you to leave the train at the last station?"
"Yes," replied John, "and so I did. But you said 'ALL aboard' once more and I thought that must mean me. So I got on again."
The conductor saw the point. It was his mistake as well as John's, and the sad, honest face of the little orphan captured the conductor's interest and heart. So after listening to John's pathetic story he let him ride freely to Chicago.
We may smile at little John's credulity, but we must admire his childlike faith. He heard the conductor's unqualified "All aboard" and acted upon it.
The little word "all" is one of the greatest and grandest in the gospel declaration, as the following Scriptures prove: "All we like sheep have gone astray... and the Lord hath laid on Him (on Jesus) the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).
The Bible tells us ALL may come
And drink at mercy's stream.