Curly’s Call.
A SHORT time since I was invited to address a party of bright children who had met to celebrate the birthday of a little friend. Hearing them boisterous in their merriment in the parlor, I remarked to mine host that I feared the “new wine” would not be received well after their drinking of “the old,” for they naturally would say, “The old is better.” (See Luke 5:3939No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39).) However, seizing a chance, as they sat hot and tired after a game, I proposed that we should sing.
Reminding them that there would be an end to their pleasure party, and some might be cross next morning, I asked them to listen while I said a few words to them, and they sat as quiet as mice, ―even the babies were wonderfully good.
The word given me was one taught me by my dear mother, when quite a little fellow. As you may never have read it before, you will find it in Jeremiah 3:44Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? (Jeremiah 3:4)― “Wilt thou not from this time say, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?” The scripture was addressed by the Lord to “backsliding Israel.” I wish, however, to take it as a question from God to each one of you young readers to encourage you to make a fresh start with Him “from this time.”
God knows all about you, what you think, what you do, and what your name is. Yet, as one who knows your “deceitful” heart, and all the evil of your nature, He proposes that you should call Him “My Father,” and take Him for your “guide.” Feeling your badness need not keep you back, for if you read the next verse He says, “Behold I thou hast spoken and done evil as thou couldest.” Oh! how true of you. Yet because “Christ died for the ungodly,” “suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God,” He can bid you even in His holiness turn to Him and cry, “My Father, thou art the guide of my youth,” for He wishes you to become His dear child “from this time.”
Merely to know your sinful self will never save you, but to know God is eternal life, You need a guide, and never can a surer one be found than in God Himself through His Word.
A little girl was early dressed to go to a tea meeting. Getting impatient she set off for the hall upon her own account. It was a dark winter night, so she missed her way. In fact, Miss Seven-year-old lost herself. There was great consternation at home, and after a search she was found in the police-office. Now she thought she knew her way alone without a guide, but she was wrong. You too will miss your way to heaven, and find yourself in the prison-house of hell unless you from the heart can say, “My Father, thou art the guide of my youth.” Oh, listen to Him today.
Till you know God as your Father, you are a wanderer from home. Love makes home on earth. Love makes heaven home for the heart that believes that “God is love,” and, by the gift of Jesus, proves His love to you. God would by love draw you to Himself.
There was a sharp-witted young girl who had a dog. One day she missed him, and thought he might be off to the city with her father. There was a telephone between the house and the office, so she rung up her father and asked, “Is Curly there?” He replied he was.
“Lift him in your arms, and put his ear to the receiver,” said the little maiden. The father did so, when she cried, “Come home, Curly, come home.”
Doggie looked astonished, for he heard his mistress’ voice, but saw her not. However, he understood what was wanted, and instantly obeyed, bolting out at the door and making tracks for home. Curly was a wise and obedient dog. Will you from this time be a wise and obedient child? One calls to you from the Father’s house, “Come!” “Arise, he calleth thee.” Wilt thou not from this time say, “My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?”
“Come the ‘Father’s house’ stands open
With its love, and light, and song;
And returning to that Father,
All to you may now belong!
Come! for night is gathering quickly
O’er this world’s fast-fleeting day;
If you linger till the darkness
You will surely miss your way.”
T. R. D.