HUGO was about 8 eight years old, when, one day, being instructed in music, he played, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” When he had finished, he said timidly, “I don’t like to play this hymn.”
“Why not?” asked the teacher.
“Because, I feel that I am not yet safe in the arms of Jesus;” and he covered his face with both hands, and wept bitterly.
For a long time he would not be comforted, but finally listened to this: “Hugo, you may be saved. What is it that keeps you from Jesus?” He thought a while, then said: “The sins of my heart.”
Hugo had believing parents and had often heard how Jesus died to save us, but he could not say: “Jesus has saved me.”
His teacher now reminded him of all Jesus had done for him; how He died unto sin once and had borne sins. Hugo listened, but gave no answer.
His teacher asked him: “Hugo, do you believe that Jesus died to save sinners? You need only in your heart to believe on Him, and you shall be saved. Do not the Scriptures say: ‘He that believeth on Him is not condemned?’” (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18).) Hugo promised to think over what his teacher had said and played on.
This he did indeed; and when the music lesson came to an end, he went to his own room and turned to. the Lord in earnest prayer, and there and then believed that He had been punished in his stead. There he found peace.
That night after Hugo had gone to bed, his teacher came to him as usual to read a few verses from God’s word, then asked him at the close, “Hugo, are you now safe in the arms of Jesus?” He answered with a happy smile: “Yes, I am, and I have said to myself all day long, with joy: ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus;’ He died for me and for my sins, and God’s word says, as you have reminded me today: ‘He that believeth on Him is not condemned.”’
And, now, I would ask my dear young reader: Can von say, “Jesus has saved me?” Do you rest in His arms? Little Hugo was sorrowful and wept because he could, not truthfully say it. He mourned on account of his sins, then found peace through faith in the Lord Jesus who died to save sinners.
I trust not one of my young readers may be careless about his soul’s salvation, but earnestly ask himself the question, Am I the Lord’s? Give yourself to the good Shepherd, follow Him daily and give Him joy.
ML 12/09/1906