ONE day, as I entered a street car, which was nearly empty, I saw, at the other end, a bright, round faced, little boy, about eight years old. He had a parcel of illustrated papers in his hand, and by his side, on the seat, lay a small pile of pennies.
Just as I got in, he was offering a paper to a young woman opposite him, who, however, did not appear to take any notice of him. I felt interested in the little fellow, and, seeing the disappointed look on his face, I went and sat down by his side, and after buying one of his “Little. Soldiers,” began talking to him.
“Why do you sell these papers, my little man?”
“Cos I want people to be saved.”
“O! that is nice. Are you saved, then?”
“O, yes!”
“Well now, will you tell me how you were saved? I should like to know so much.” He raised his chubby face to me, and said thoughtfully,
“I dunno erzackly.”
“O! do try and tell me, I want to know so very much.”
Again came the answer, this time more slowly than before,
“I dunno erzackly.”
“Did you find out you were a sinner?”
“No,” he said, with a shake of his little head. Thinking perhaps he did not understand, I said, “Are you a good boy?”
“O, yes,” he said quickly, delighted I had said the right thing at last.
But I was disappointed! I thought the little boy really knew what it was to be saved from Satan, and from hell, and brought to know that Jesus loved him and had died for him. But he did not even know he needed a Saviour.
“What!” I said, “are you never naughty? Do you always speak the truth? Do you always do as mother tells you? Do you never quarrel?” This time he hung his head, and said, “Sometimes.”
“Ah! I thought so. And now let me tell you how I was saved, because I am very much afraid you have made a mistake—and that would be very sad—for you know if you are not saved, you are lost.
“Long ago I wanted very much to be saved, but the more I tried to do right and be good, the worse I grew; and I thought, O! I shall never be good enough for God. Then I prayed, ‘O! God, save me,’ and God heard me.”
“First He showed me I was all wrong, and that it was no use trying to be good; I could never save myself that way. Then He showed me Jesus, the Holy One, dying for me—being punished for my sins. Ah, that was wonderful! I could only cry out, ‘My Saviour, I thank Thee for loving me so.’ And that is how I was saved—because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.”
My little friend listened, but the car stopped, and I was obliged to leave him. I have never seen him since. I wonder if we shall meet in our Father’s House?
ML-09/29/1935