ONE of the Lord’s servants told a touching story of a poor blind man in China. The first time he heard that wonderful word, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” he jumped upon his feet, clapped his hands and shouted, “Thank you, sir, very much, that is just what I have been longing for and praying for many years.” The people said he was mad, but the dear old man gave the following account of his sad and sorrowful history: “When I was twenty-five years of age, I came to the conclusion, like many others, that idolatry was vain. In despair, one morning, as I was walking behind my house in a field, I saw a glorious ball of fire rise up out of the East, and I fell down and worshipped the rising sun, saying, ‘O Sun, take away the load from my heart.’
Again in the evening, as the sun was going down behind the hills, I said, ‘O Sun, before you go, leave a blessing behind thee, and take the burden from my heart.’
For two years I worshipped the rising and setting sun, but the burden remained on my heart still. Again as I was walking in the fields, I said to myself, ‘Perhaps the moon can save me,’ and prayed to the moon for twelve long months. But no peace came to me either from the sun or from the moon.
Next I turned to the glittering stars, and for a year I worshipped them. But they brought me no comfort. One day I threw myself on the ground, and said, ‘If there be a Ruler above the stars, reveal Thyself to me.’ But no voice came from the Ruler above, and I went on my weary course in the world till I became a blind old man bearing a heavy burden in my heart. Some time since, in the midst of my sorrow, I heard a commotion in the street and asked what it was all about.
“O,” they said, “a preacher has come to tell us of a new religion.”
I went to hear the foreign man preach. I heard him describe the great love of God above, and then he went on speaking of His love to man. I could stand it no longer, and jumping on my feet, I exclaimed, ‘That is just what I want.’ Now tonight here I am, and I can say with Simeon, ‘Lord, now let me depart in peace, for I have found my Savior, and the burden is taken away from my heart.’”
Alas! there are many sorrowful hearts among the millions in China, and it is only the gospel of the grace of God—it is only Christ that can take away the burden of a broken heart—that can give rest to the weary.
May you, dear children, take Jesus as your Savior, accept Him as your Lord and Master, and you shall know what this rest, sweet rest, is.
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matth. 11:28-30.
ML-08/08/1920