The next Sunday dawned clear and bright, and the children, delighted at the prospect before them, started with Susan for the schoolhouse. It was a pretty sight to see them so full of eagerness as they trotted along with May in the middle. The two elder ones were bending down and instructing her how she was to behave, and she was nodding her head and laughing, but not understanding in the least. At last they reached the schoolhouse. It stood about twenty yards from the roadside, in a knot of trees, where the birds whistled and warbled, and pretty flowers grew.
Susan led them to the door, and Mr. Rowland was waiting to receive them. He took them in and seated them on a bench near to him, and after saying a few kind words he started the lessons. There were about forty children present. There were little boys, with hair plastered down on their forehead or brushed up on end, with thick corduroy trousers and heavy boots, little girls in neat clothes, and a few with bright ribbons in their hats. Most of the children were clad in strong, clean garments, with strong bodies and rosy cheeks. On the front seat, next to Rose, Robin and May sat two children unlike the rest.
The elder was a little girl about nine years old, with a thin, pale face. She had a quiet, sad look, and was dressed in very worn, thin garments. The other was a boy, very much like his sister. They both listened attentively to their teacher, and took very little interest in looking about them. Their names were Lucy and Tommy Price, and their mother was a widow, and lived in half of the little cottage which Jenny's grandmother owned.
Sunday school began, and first of all Mr. Rowland prayed for the children. It was a short, simple prayer, and such as all could understand. He thanked the Lord for bringing them together, for preserving them through the week, and asked for a blessing on the afternoon's teaching. He prayed that some of the little ones might see beauty in Jesus, and desire Him, and that they might learn their need of Him, and accept His great salvation.
Then they sang that well-know hymn -
"Around the throne of God, in heaven,
Will many children sing."
After this was finished, he said,
"I'm going to tell you a true story, so listen, children. Many years ago in a country far away, lived a young man. He was handsome and had rosy cheeks like some of you, and he used to take care of his father's sheep. He sat in the field and played sweet music on his harp, while the sheep ate the grass and the little lambs skipped about. One day a little lamb strayed too far from its mother and the shepherd, and a lion, which was crouching near, sprang upon it, seized it in his mouth and began to make off with the little thing. But the kind shepherd was watching, and he heard the cry of the frightened lamb. In an instant he went after the cruel lion, caught him by his hair, struck him (very likely with a thick, heavy stick), and killed him, and took the poor, trembling little lamb from the fierce creature's mouth. What do you think of that?'
"Oh!" said some of the children, with a sigh of relief. "I'm real glad that old lion was killed," cried Robin.
"And I'm glad the lamb was saved," said Rose.
"Well now, children, tell me if you think that shepherd was brave?"
"Yes," they all shouted.
"And what do you think that little lamb would do afterwards?"
"Be fond of the shepherd," said one. "Keep close against him." cried another.
"What if I were to tell you that there is one like a lion who goes about trying to devour you? Don't be frightened, and I will explain to you what I mean. There is one who, like that lion, is watching you, little children, and hoping he may have the opportunity to get you for himself, and this one is Satan. He does not love you, and he does not want you to be happy. He hopes to tempt you further and further away from the good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, and so keep you forever in misery. But Jesus is stronger and if you look to Him — cry to Him — He will deliver you from Satan's grasp, and comfort you, and give you peace and rest. Now the little lamb could not deliver itself. Neither can you, for Satan is stronger than you are, but the Lord is stronger than all, and He has a right to you, for His blood was shed to purchase you. If you will put your trust in Him, and look to Jesus to save you from this cruel enemy, He will do it. Now, how many of you wish Jesus would save you?
Nearly all the hands went up.
"Ah, you all say so, but with some of you it is like children saying, 'We would like a nice bunch of wild flowers,' while many are blooming around. Some set about gathering them at once. Others say, 'Tomorrow we will make a bouquet,' and others think it too much trouble to get them at all. The ones who gather at once are the safe ones. Those who put off till tomorrow may not want to get them then, or a storm may come and wither them by that time, and those who put off altogether will never get them.
`How many children say,
I'd like to go to heaven,
But never think that they
Must have their sins forgiven,
Before they can in glory be,
Or Jesus Christ in glory see.'
Any of you who are not safe in the Shepherd's care are in danger of the lion, but a trustful look to Jesus will bring Him to your side, and you to His arms. Our good Shepherd gave up His life for the sheep."
After a little more talking to, the children left very pleased, each taking home a little verse card. The verse on Rose's was,
The verse on Robin's was,
And little May's,
"He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." Isaiah 40;11.
Of course the cards were instantly shown to their aunt and uncle. The uncle read them over, and then sat turning the cards in his hands till the children took them away.
"Well, what did the gentleman tell you?"
"All about a shepherd who took care of sheep and lambs and one day —"
"A great old lion came and seized a lamb," broke in Robin, "and ran away with it, like Satan does to people."
"But the shepherd killed it, and took the little lamb in his arms quite safe," added Rose.
"And what more?"
"The gentleman said Jesus was like the shepherd, and He will take us from Satan if we look to Him."
"Satan is like that lion" cried Robin. "I'm glad he won't get me."
"How do you know?" asked his uncle.
"Because I trust Jesus, and love Him. Don't I, Susan?" he asked, as she came into the room.
"I hope you do, Robin."
"I really do, Susan," and he ran happily away.