A GENTLEMAN was one day present at an examination of pupils at one of the large schools for the instruction of boys who were both deaf and dumb.
You will easily understand, therefore, that the means of examination were quite different from those of other schools. Each boy had a little slate on which questions could be written, and then the boy had to write his answer.
One little boy had such a bright face and attractive manner that the gentleman felt quite interested in him, and thought he would like to ask him a few questions, so he wrote on his slate the following one:
“My dear little boy, you see the sun and the earth around you, and at night the moon and stars; can you tell me how they all came there?” In reply to this the little fellow at once wrote, “In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:11In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1).
The gentleman was pleased with his answer, and then wrote another question which was more difficult.
“But whence has come all the sorrow, sadness, and death which you see around you?” To this the boy replied, “Sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12).
The gentleman was surprised by this correct answer, and thought he must follow it up by asking a third question which was as follows; “Can you tell me of any way by which man may be delivered from all this sin and sorrow?” At once the reply was written down, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). Still further surprised and pleased at such a true reply, the gentleman wrote down, “I will only ask you one more question. Can you tell me why you can neither hear nor speak, while so many boys and girls around you can do both?”
This was a delicate question to ask, because it would remind the boy of his affliction, but he did not seem to mind, and with a happy smile he gave the reply, “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Luke 10:2121In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10:21).
These are the very words of Scripture, and indeed words used by the Lord Jesus Himself.
No wonder the gentleman was amazed; and well he might be, for here was a little boy who was deaf and dumb, yet he had been able to answer these four hard questions in a way that none of the philosophers of the heathen world could have done, and who, in spite. of his affliction, was happy, peaceful and contented because he believed the great truths which he had learned from the Bible.
Now what a precious book that must he from which may be learned truths like those that made this dear boy so happy in spite of all his disadvantage in not being able to hear or to speak like those around him.
The Bible is full of instruction for all, and let not children think that they are not able to understand it, for if they love it and read it carefully, asking God to teach them, He will not refuse to instruct them by His Spirit so that they may indeed become “wise unto salvation.”
Even Christian boys and girls like to be wise about natural things, and often ask hundreds of questions about things they cannot quite understand, and while we are glad to see the inquiring minds of the young, yet it is far more important that they should be wise about eternal things. We read in the Bible these words, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not.” James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5).
ML-03/10/1935