MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,
Whether boys or girls, if you are old enough to read, I am sure most of you will understand what I mean by the title of this letter, "Children's Terrors," and it will recall the agonies some have gone through, and their intense reality. Some children dread thunder; others cower under the bed clothes when the wind howls wildly; and a great number are afraid of being alone in the dark.
Perhaps you have never talked of these terrors, for fear of being laughed at, but have dreaded each night as it came round with its horrors. Strangely enough, it is not the very tiny children who are scared by these fears, but those who are old enough to puzzle out many things for themselves, and have reached the age to know right from wrong. But then you see, knowing right from wrong means they have heard of God, and heaven, and hell, and their consciences being awakened, they know God cannot look upon sin without abhorrence, and knowing they are sinners, they dread the thunder, for it sounds as though God was speaking to them, and the howling wind as though some spirit was shrieking at them, and the darkness,—well, that is worst of all, for it seems like being face to face with death.
Now, I will tell you of a little boy, who so dreaded being left alone in the dark, that he used to steal down quietly and sit on the staircase, so as to be within hearing of his father's voice, for then he thought he would be safe. He was about nine years old at this time, and being the child of godly parents, and often hearing them speak of the second coming of the Lord, he was terribly afraid he might be in his little room alone when Jesus came, and would be left behind, so he concluded the safe place was near his father and mother.
I wonder if any of you, dear children, think the same, that is, that godly parents will be a safeguard for you at the second advent.
Now, when the Lord Jesus comes again, it will be to take away only those who are His friends, those who have accepted Him as their Savior, and are washed whiter than snow by His precious blood.
Do you think for one moment He can possibly make any mistake, and leave one of His own, or take those who are not His because they belong to His friends? Surely not, and so those who are not Christ's will be left behind. There will be no confusion. He knows His sheep by name, and says, His people are so precious to Him, that anyone who touches them, touches as it were the apple of His eye. One in a family will be caught, up, and another left behind; and it will all depend on whether they belong to Jesus or not.
Can you think of anything more terrible? cannot, and this is why I am always urging on you not to neglect salvation.
You all know what neglect can do. Neglect your lessons, and there is trouble; neglect your garden, there will be weeds, no flowers; neglect your pets, and they will die. Nothing very dreadful is done, only neglect; and if you neglect salvation, how can you escape? The little boy I told you of is now a man, and a servant of Christ, and he says the thought of being left behind so haunted him, that he came to Jesus when quite, young. Now, will you follow his example, and come?
You do not want to be left behind, do you? If you come, just as you are, to the loving Savior, there will be no more terrors for you. The thunder, or howling wind will not terrify you; and as He is the "Light of the World," you will not be afraid of darkness. For His loving arms will be ever round you, and whether He calls you away by death, or comes to fetch you, all will be well.
It is sin that makes us dread death, or meeting the Lord; but with sins blotted out by His precious blood, you will be happy boys and girls, and, if spared, useful men and women, looking for the Lord from heaven.