Part 3.
IN the last chapter, we saw that Henry learned something of what sin is. He next had to learn that eternal death, or everlasting punishment is the consequence of sin, and he soon could repeat some verses on this subject, too. This is one of them: “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” And now Henry began to ask with much earnestness, how his sins could be forgiven? The lady had the joy of telling him what Jesus had done for him, how He had taken sin upon Him, and borne the punishment of it upon the cross, so that now God can forgive sins, for “We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” God opened little Henry’s heart to receive this good news. He did not stop to ask “why,” or “how,” but accepted the glad tidings of God’s wonderful salvation, and his sins were all washed away. But do you think he went on now in his old ways, telling lies and getting into passions, and always doing his own way? No, this dear little boy showed by his actions, that the grace of God was in his heart, He became careful of all he did and said, and soon his behavior was quite altered. He said no more bad words, and tried to hinder other people from saying them, He spoke kindly and civilly to everyone, and if he had money given him, he did not spend it on himself, but gave it to some poor, lame or blind beggar. But Henry was not always good; sometimes he forgot to please the Lord Jesus, and only pleased himself. One day in particular he got into a dreadful passion because the coachman would not let him ride on one of his horses, and he struck the poor man with all his might. Do you think Henry was sorry for this? Yes, indeed, he was. He asked God to forgive him for being so naughty. Then he told the coachman he was very sorry, and gave him all the money he had.
One day Henry came into his friend’s room, and found her unpacking a box of books.
“Come, Henry, and help me,” she said. Henry enjoyed helping her very much, and presently the lady told him that all these books, though of different sizes and colors, were the same inside, for each one was a Bible. Then Henry said: “Oh, I wish I had a Bible of my own. I will give you all my playthings, and my little carriage, too, if you will let me have one of these.” The lady smiled and said: “No, dear little Henry, keep your toys and your carriage, but you shall have any one, of these books you like.” Henry thanked her with all his heart, and then he called in Boosey to help him choose. When he had chosen one, he begged a bit of silk, and carried it to the tailor, to make him a bag for his new Bible. After that he began to try to read it, and with the lady’s help, he soon learned to do this.
The time had now come for Henry’s kind friend to leave him. She had been at his home for many, many months, but she was going soon to be married to a Christian man, and so she had to go away. Henry felt very sad at the thought of losing his dear friend and teacher. He cried very bitterly, and said, “What shall I do when you are gone? I shall have no one to speak to but my bearer. I shall never hear anyone speak of God. Oh, I am afraid I shall become wicked again.”
“My poor child,” said the lady, “do not doubt the power of God. Do you think after the blessed Lord God has made Himself known to you, that He will forsake you? Think how good He has been to you. You did not know even His blessed name, and were living as a heathen, and He sent me here to teach you, and now He will preserve you unto the coming of the Lord Jesus.” Then she taught him to sing the verse of a pretty hymn, which perhaps some of you know:
“Jesus sought me, when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God,
He, to save my soul from danger
Interposed His precious blood.”
Not many days after this, the lady went away. Henry went on board the budge row, or boat, and said a last farewell to her, and then he stood on the shore and watched the boat sail down the broad stream of the Ganges, till it was out of sight. Then Boosey took the sorrowful child in his arms and carried him back to the house, where once more he was left entirely to the care of his bearer.
ML 12/02/1906