ONE BRIGHT sunny morning little Tommy was playing close to his home on the outskirts of a small country town. His game was suddenly interrupted by the approach of a stranger,—a tall, dark gypsy woman with keen piercing eyes, and a large shawl thrown over her shoulders. Slowly she came toward the little fellow, at the same time drawing from under her shawl some candy which she temptingly offered him.
Most boys and girls like candy and Tommy was no exception. However, he seemed to have forgotten for the moment his mother’s warnings not to accept anything from strangers. His play was soon forgotten as eagerly he reached up for the prize, which was willingly given. Fully occupied with his new pleasure, Tommy did not nice that his other hand had been gently taken by that of the woman and that he was being drawn quickly away from his home and into the country.
On and on they walked, this strange pair. The candy was now gone, Toy was getting tired and frightened and began to cry for his mother. The gypsy woman then carried him in her arms until they reached a large pile of stones, and here they sat down to rest.
In the meantime Tommy had been missed. His anxious mother questioned everyone around as to whether they had seen him. Willing helpers searched in every direction, until at last, a neighbor said the strange pair had been seen on the road leading out of town. The mother’s footsteps fairly flew along the dusty road in the direction given, and finally she overtook the two still sitting on the rock pile.
Do you think Tommy’s mother let him stay there? No, not for a moment! Snatching him up in her arms she hastened home, holding her precious little boy close to her heart all the way. How happy Tommy was to be in his mother’s arms again, yet he did not know how deep were those feelings of love and thankfulness in his mother’s heart now that he was safe again.
This is a true story but it is also a picture of what is happening every day all around us. Like the gypsy woman, Satan is going about tempting whom he can. Like her with her candy, he uses all sorts of bait to suit his purpose, carefully drawing his dupes farther and farther into the paths of sin, until he has them completely under his power, and then they find that they are lost forever.
Love in the heart of Tommy’s mother gave her no rest until she had found him and brought him safely home.
It was love that led the Lord Jesus to come from heaven and to go to Calvary’s cross, and there shed His precious blood to save sinners from the power of Satan and from judgment.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). He is able and willing to save any one who owns he is a lost and guilty sinner and trusts Him as his Saviour.
Have you come to Him yet, dear boys and girls? If not you are in great danger. Be not deceived by Satan’s subtle offer. One more step may land you in eternal woe. Come to Jesus now!
ML-10/13/1963