As I was returning from the pretty village of H—, to where I was staying for a short time some years ago, my attention was arrested by a singular looking object which was floating irregularly in the air, at the height of perhaps a hundred feet from the earth. Not knowing what it was, I was examining it attentively, when my curiosity was greatly increased by observing a number of small fluttering things falling from that strange object to the ground. What was my further astonishment on seeing sixty or seventy children, who till then had been hidden from my sight by the hedge which separated the high road from the meadow in which they were, all eagerly endeavoring to obtain possession of one or more of the little papers—for such I found they were. Presently, too, I heard loud expressions of delight from the children, showing that something of much interest to them was engaging their attention.
Probably my youthful reader has already guessed what it was which so puzzled me; but, for the sake of any who may not have found out, I will explain it. The strange object which first struck my attention was a small air-balloon; the small fluttering papers which fell from it had short Scripture texts printed upon them, and the children who were so eager to obtain the papers, belonged to a neighboring Sunday-school, and were enjoying their annual treat in the open air. Thus the mystery is solved.
As I pursued my walk, after having stayed a few minutes to enjoy the sight of the group of delighted children, I thought that what I had just witnessed was a little picture of what God, in His great love to sinners, is constantly doing. He is sending messages of love and mercy from heaven to us all—children included—every day. He Himself tells us that He “hath in these last, days spoken unto us by His Son,” “who is on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb. 1). And is not the gospel of His grace, which He is again and again presenting to us from His word, and by His Spirit, truly a message from heaven? As one of your own hymns says—
“Here’s a message of love
Come down from above,
To invite little children to heaven.
In God’s blessed Book
Poor sinners may look,
And see how all sin is forgiven.”
Now, just as there were a number of pieces of paper with a short text upon each, and they were scattered from the air balloon, so God, in His kind consideration for the littleness of our minds, breaks up His word into small pieces for us, so that even the youngest may be able to learn something of the great love which He has shown in the gift of His dear Son. Let us look at a few of these precious portions, one of which is enough to save the soul that receives it as indeed and in truth the word of God. Our first favorite passage is, “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). Another, much like it, is, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). A third is, “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18). Then there is that sweet statement that, “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). Another is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). And then there are those well-known words of encouragement, which the Lord Jesus said concerning children, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto ME: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:1414But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14). We might continue quoting such precious words by hundreds, but we can only now refer to these few, as specimens of the rest.
You noticed how anxious the Sunday-school children whom I saw, were to possess one of those pieces of paper which descended to the meadow in which they were. Happy, indeed, was the boy or girl who obtained one! Oh, how blessed it would be if each child who commits to memory some of the precious words of God were found as much in earnest to hide them in his heart, that so be might know Jesus as his Saviour, and God as his heavenly Father! It seems that this is just what Timothy did, for it is written of him, “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee Rise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:1515And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15). May this be your case, dear young reader, as it will if you receive in your heart God’s message of love in the gospel of His dear Son.
ML 12/07/1902