Frank, my boy, run quickly to the store, and bring me ten pounds of salt.” Frank was only a little fellow, but he knew how to make himself useful to father, and was always ready to run errands for him. He was a gentle boy, with a loving heart, which he had opened to the Saviour, when quite young. His mother had told him that the Lord Jesus was always near him, and was always ready to help him; so little Frank was in the habit of speaking to Him as to a friend, and telling Him everything that troubled him.
His father was often gruff, and scolded little Frank, so that the boy was afraid of his father.
When he had bought the salt, he tied it up in a cloth which his mother gave him to carry it in, fixed the bundle to a stick, which he placed over his shoulder, and started on his way home.
While he was thus trudging along, the knot of the bundle became loose, and the salt began to fall out on the road.
Suddenly he noticed that his bundle was becoming lighter and taking it off his shoulder, he saw to his great distress, that the salt had been nearly all lost.
What was he to do? Salt was, at that time, very dear on account of the high duty on it, He had no more money. What was to be done? What would his father say to it? Poor little fellow pale with fear at the thought of the punishment which awaited him, he thought seriously, then crept away, behind a bush and poured out his little heart to the Saviour, told Him in a childlike way everything that had happened to him, and prayed Him to keep his father from beating him.
In his anxiety, he prayed out loud, thinking that no person was near to hear him.
When he finished, he started with a lighter heart on his way home.
But when he saw his father standing at the house door, his fear came on him again, because he was sure his father would punish him for his carelessness.
Poor little Frank! His steps became slower and slower till lie came up to his father. He did not dare say a word, but stood with drooping head, expecting a good thrashing. But the Lord had heard his prayer.
“So, so,” cried his father, “I know all about it already. Meg had to run just now and fetch more salt.”
Frank could hardly believe his ears. “How did you know that I had lost the salt?” he asked.
“O, John Miller, our neighbor, was coming behind you and when he saw the salt lying on the road, he guessed what had happened. Then he suddenly saw you behind the hedge and heard you telling God of your misfortune and asking Him to protect you from being punished. He then came home by a short cut, came at once to me, and told me what had happed, making me promise not to punish you, and offering to pay for the lost salt himself.”
Through this experience, little Frank learned to trust his Heavenly Friend more than ever, and to bring everything that troubled him, in prayer to Him.
Dear children, never forget that if yeti belong to Jesus, everything that concerns you is important to Him. You should tell everything to Him and He will gladly help you, for He loves you, and rejoices when He can bless you and do you good.
ML 11/19/1939