A SHORT time ago, a little girl, about eight or nine years of age, the child of poor parents, was seized with an illness from which she never recovered. In the time of her health, a kind gentleman, who had taken an interest in her, had spoken to her of the sweetness and blessedness of the name of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. He had also given her little books and some hymns for children, and the good seed which he had thus sown was not lost or thrown away, but bore precious fruit, to the praise of Him from whom it came and to whom it returned. The child, shortly before her departure from this world, said to her mother, “I want to go to Jesus.” “Well, dear,” replied the mother, “Why don’t you pray?” “I can’t,” said the child. “You pray for me, mother.” “My dear, I can’t. Can’t you say, ‘Our Father?’” (by which she meant the prayer which the Lord taught His disciples.) “No, mother; that won’t do.” Presently she said, “Mother, will you read Gentle Jesus’ to me?” The mother then commenced reading the well-known hymn—
“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity;
Suffer me to come to Thee.”
When the mother had read the first verse the child asked her to read it again, and also the third time. She then said, “That will do,” and, putting her hands in an attitude of supplication, and, looking upwards, she said softly, “Suffer me to come to Thee,” and fell back on her pillow and expired.
Is not this beautiful? See how the Lord blest the sowing of a few simple words of truth in the heart of this child; how He watered them by His Spirit, and revealed Himself to her soul! And how tenderly He helped her to a suitable expression, in her last moments, of the want of her heart; “to be with Jesus.” Surely she departed to be with Himself, and being “absent from the body” is “present with the Lord.” “Out of the mouth of babes and suckling’s Thou hast perfected praise.”
Dear child. Is the desire of your heart to be with Jesus? Think of His love in dying for us. Remember His gracious words, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Think of Him above in heaven, willing and waiting to receive. in the arms of His love every one that wishes to find a home and resting-place there. Would you not like to be with Him, and to dwell with Him in holiness and happiness forever? Oh, then, believe in His love. Go to Him as the Saviour of your soul now; and He will keep you and care for you during the short time that you remain in this world; and then take you to be with Himself forever.
T.