IN a small Swiss village a little girl of thirteen lay on her deathbed. The little girl lived with her grandmother, an old woman whose heart had become hardened by a long life spent in sin. The glorious message of God’s love had never reached her conscience, and she had never told the little girl of the good Shepherd who loved her. Only once, in the commencement of her serious illness, had the little girl received a message of His love. It was when a Christian lady, who had heard of her illness, came to the little cottage. She brought with her a little book for the child and at the same time told her of Jesus, who had called the children to Himself and had blessed them. At her request the old Bible was hunted up. The friendly visitor then read some portions, and marked some texts with a pencil.
The child, who was naturally timid and reserved, had scarcely uttered a word during the visit. Accordingly the visitor when she left, did not know if her words had made any impression. When taking leave, she said that she was going away for some weeks but that on her return she would call on them again.
But it happened differently. She did not again see the child. Weaker and weaker the little girl became, and soon it became apparent that her life here below was drawing to an end. With intense desire she looked forward to the return of the visitor who had told her so many delightful things. But it would be some time yet before she could come. Then came the day of her release from suffering. An Aunt who knew as little of the Bible as the grandmother did, stood beside her bed.
“Auntie.” she called out suddenly; “Auntie, I am going to die! Why doesn’t that lady come back? Auntie, read to me again that beautiful story about Jesus. It has really happened. He came to take me to heaven. I must only believe in Him; that is all.”
Her aunt took the Bible and read to her one of the underlined passages. It was the beautiful story of Jesus calling the children to Himself and blessing them.
And there—while she was still reading, she heard a deep sigh; Her little niece had passed away—safe in the arms of Jesus! She had heard very little of the Savior, yet this little had been enough to fill her young heart with love to Him.
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matth. 11:28.
She clung to her Savior, and the one who does that is saved.
ML-09/26/1920