A HOME missionary once told the story of how one day he visited a camp of gypsies. Passing in among the caravans and tents he bought some of the cooking utensils they were making, and then he learned that one of their number, a little boy, was very sick. When he asked permission to see him the father asked: “Did you want to talk about religion to him?”
“No,” was the reply.
“What then?” questioned the man. “I want to talk to him about Christ.”
“Oh then you may go. But if you talk religion to him, I’ll set the dog on you,” he threatened.
In the caravan he found the poor boy alone and in bed. Evidently he was in the last stages of tuberculosis. His eyes were closed and he looked as if he were already gone. Very slowly the missionary repeated in his ear the precious gospel text: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
He repeated it five times but there was no apparent response. The little sufferer did not seem to hear. He repeated it the sixth time, and then the boy’s eyes opened and he smiled. To his visitor’s delight he whispered: “And I never thanked Him! But nobody ever told me! I turn to Him my thanks. Only a poor gypsy boy! I see! I see! I thank Him kindly!” He closed his eyes and a look of intense satisfaction came over his face, and as the missionary knelt beside him he thanked God. The boy’s lips moved again and his visitor’s ears caught the words “That’s it!” There were a few more words, and then his voice could be heard no more.
The next day the missionary visited the camp again and found that his dear gypsy boy had died (it were better to say he had fallen asleep in Jesus) about eleven hours after he had left the day before. His father said the boy had been very “peaceable,” and had died a “tidy death.” There was no Bible or Testament in the camp. The missionary left one of each. The father wished him “good luck” and gave him a bundle of little things “the boy Jimmie” had made.
With unquestioning faith this dear little fellow took God at His word the first time he heard the gospel message. With his dying lips he thanked Him that He so loved the world that He gave His Son for him, “a poor gypsy boy.” God is satisfied with the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross where He died to put away sin. Jimmie was satisfied as well and his simple faith in Jesus meant instant and everlasting salvation. In just eleven short hours the little sufferer exchanged that forlorn, rickety caravan for God’s paradise above, where Jesus was waiting to welcome him home. Now Jimmie is proving that God is as good as His word.
Have you, dear reader, said “Amen” to God’s way of saving lost sinners, by simply believing the gospel and, like Jimmie the little gypsy boy, accepted His dear Son, Jesus, as your own Saviour? God grant that you may, rather than refuse Him and pass on with your sin unpardoned to the “great white throne” and its awful judgment.
May no one within your reach or mine, dear fellow believer, have to say with respect to the gospel and the eternal destiny of souls, “Nobody ever told me before.”
ML-02/16/1964