Do you Love Jesus?
“MINNIE! Minnie! where are you?” called Flora Benton, running down the garden walk; “I’ve hunted you everywhere, for want―.” She stopped suddenly, for just then, on turning into the entrance of the arbor, she caught sight of her cousin on her knees, her hands clasped, and her eyes closed. Flora stood gazing at her in astonishment for a moment; then, recollecting herself, was just turning away when Minnie rose, and, wiping her eyes, asked in a gentle tone, “Did you want me, cousin Flora?”
“Yes―no,” said Flora, in an embarrassed way; “it’s not particular.”
They both sat down on the grass, and for a few moments were quite silent, ―Minnie seemingly lost in thought, while Flora watched her countenance with an expression of much curiosity.
“Minnie,” she said at length, “do tell me what ails you.”
“Nothing now,” replied Minnie, looking at her with a sweet, happy smile.
“Then what were you crying for? for I’m sure I saw tears on your cheek; and―I can’t help asking you, for I think it’s so odd―what were you saying your prayers for this time of day? If I remember to say mine night and morning, I think I’m wonderfully good!” “Flora,” said Minnie,” suppose you had done something which you knew had grieved and displeased your father and mother, and you were very sorry for it, would you wait till night to go and confess it, and ask forgiveness, or would you go at once?”
“Go at once, of course,” said Flora.
“And are you satisfied with speaking only once or twice a day to your nearest friends, when you may, if you choose, talk to them many times?”
“I’d be very, sorry, if I might not speak to mother more than once or twice a day,” said Flora.
“Well,” said Minnie, “you know that I have neither father nor mother, but I have a dear, dear Friend, dear Lord Jesus. I love Him, and I know that He loves me, and I dearly love to talk with Him. If I have any trouble, or sorrow, I tell it to Him; if I have any duty that seems too hard for me, I ask Him to help me; and, when I have done wrong, I cannot rest until I have asked His forgiveness. I was vexed with Frank, a while ago, and spoke crossly to him, and that was why I came here to kneel down and ask Jesus to forgive me,” she added, the tears again trembling in her eyes.
“He has been teasing you all the morning, and I’ve been astonished at your patience; I don’t think you were to blame at all,” said Flora, warmly.
“Yes, I was,” replied Minnie; “our Saviour had much more to try His patience, and He never was vexed; and, oh! I do long to be just like Him; and someday I hope I shall be. Cousin, do you love Jesus?”
“I don’t know,” said Flora; “I think He was very good and kind.”
“Oh, cousin, do begin to love Him today! Oh, it is such joy to have Jesus for your Friend; to lie down at night without fear, because He is there to take care of you, and all day long to feel that He is close to you. When everything seems to go right, I love Him for my happiness, and thank Him for it; and, when I am treated unkindly, I say, Well, Jesus loves me, and that is enough to make me happy.”
Dear little reader, ―Would you love to have Minnie’s friend to be yours? He says, “I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.” “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”