A LITTLE boy I once knew crossed the ocean without money to buy his ticket. His father had died from a sunstroke. His mother gathered the little money she had left and resolved to go home to her friends in Scotland. But sad to say she did not have enough funds to buy tickets for all the children. It was decided that Sandy, just twelve years old, should stay behind in a home in New York for the time being.
Poor Sandy! He shed many tears when he bid his mother good-bye and as he watched the ship sail out of New York harbor he had such a feeling of loneliness. I am sure his mother shed many tears too as she thought of her dear boy left behind. At last Sandy decided he could not stay any longer in the big city. So he determined he would try to get across the ocean somehow to see his dear mother and his brothers and sisters again.
One day he went down to the harbor and found the ship Hibernia getting ready to sail for Scotland. Somehow he managed to get aboard when no one was watching and going down into the hold he hid behind some of the cargo. But just before the ship was to sail he was discovered and turned over to one of the ship’s offers. When it was found out the boy had no ticket and that he was attempting to steal a passage, the offer scolded and treated him very roughly. Taking him by the collar he dragged him along the deck to put him off the ship. The poor little fellow wept bitterly, and I heard him cry, “Oh, do let me go home to Scotland!”
“You don’t have any ticket,” said the officer. “You can’t go without paying for your passage,” and he pushed the boy along toward the gangway.
The passengers gathered around, feeling very sorry for the little fellow, but could do nothing. Just then a well-dressed gentleman came forward and said to the officer, “Let the boy go, and I will see that his passage is paid for.”
“Very well then,” said the officer, and the boy was immediately set at liberty.
I wish, my young friends, you could have seen how happy little Sandy was from then on. He danced about the deck for sheer joy. He did not actually see the kind man pay the price of his ticket, but he believed that he would do all he said he would, and how thankful he was to him. All the way across the broad ocean that little boy was happy, and though sometimes the great waves dashed over the ship, Sandy never seemed the least bit troubled. The thought of seeing his dear mother sustained his joy, and when at last he stood upon the shores of Scotland his little face beamed with delight. He could not fully express his gratitude to his kind friend who had paid his passage over, but he thanked him over and over again.
You and I, dear young readers, owe far, far more to One who has done infinitely more for us. It cost that precious Saviour His life’s blood to purchase a passage from earth to heaven for all who trust Him. But such was His love and pity for poor sinners like we, with nothing to pay, that He would pay the whole price of our redemption on the cross. And now all He asks is that we show our love and thanks to Him by accepting Him as our Saviour. He says, I am the way to heaven. Just believe His message, trust Him, and get on board at once. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). God never frowns on boys and girls who take Him at His word. But He does give them a free passage to heaven. Jesus paid the fare in blood, God accepts the fare, and all who trust in Jesus safely reach the Father’s house on high.
ML-03/04/1962