Lai-fuh was a Chinese boy. His name means “Happiness has come.” He had a happy childhood, but when he was twelve years old, he lost his father and his mother and his home in a great flood. His uncle took him in but after a few months sold him as a slave boy. His master changed his name to “Lao-kong” which means, “hard labor,” He had to carry water, make coal balls, and other hard jobs. Also he was poorly fed, and poorly clothed.
One day the eldest son of his master came back from town and said that he had heard a white man telling a strange story on the market square, about a father who had welcomed back his wicked ragged son. Lao-kong was very much interested in the story, and asked a question. Instead of an answer, he received a kick, for slaves have no right to ask questions. Lao-kong could not forget what he had heard. It warmed his heart and gave him some comfort. He decided that he must find out whether there really was such a father who could love his bad, ragged son.
One day the eldest son of his master had to go into the city to take the boat down the river. Lao-kong had to carry his heavy luggage. On board the steamer, the young man ordered him to go straight home to the village. Lao-kong ran with all his might, not to the village, but to the gospel hall, and nearly knocked into the white man who was just leaving the gate. The boy took hold of the man’s arm and cried, “Is it true that there is a father who loves poor slave boys like me?”
The missionary looked kindly at him, called a servant and told him to give the hungry boy a meal, a bath, and also the blue suit which was in his study. With his new suit on, and shoes on his feet, Lao-kong felt like the son in that story. He said to the missionary, “That story must be true after all.”
“What story is that?” asked the white man.
“My master’s son heard you tell a story in the market, about a bad son whom his father still loved. I have come here to find out whether it is true. I am a poor orphan slave boy. It must be wonderful to have a father like that.” Lao-kong began to cry bitterly. The kind missionary wiped his tears and told the boy all about the prodigal and his father. And then he went on to tell him also about God in heaven. It was all new and wonderful to the poor boy. He listened eagerly to the story of God’s love, and of His sending His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to die on the cross for sinners. He heard also that those who trust in the Lord Jesus are truly sons of the Father in heaven.
Lao-kong looked suddenly at the sun, which was already sinking low. He sprang up and cried, “I must go home or I will be beaten. It was ten miles to the village, and he hurried as quickly as he could. All the journey long he was thinking “God in heaven loves me. I am His son.”
When he reached home after dark, his master was angry and asked where he had been. Lao-kong told him all the truth. His master picked up a big bamboo stick and beat him till he was bleeding. When he crept into bed that night his poor body was full of pain, but his heart was still full of joy as he thought of the love of God his Father, and of Jesus Christ his Saviour. He even asked God to forgive his cruel master.
Lao-kong could not keep the good news to himself. Every day he spoke about his Saviour and his Father. But his master and his master’s son treated him more and more cruelly. One cold winter night, the son threw him out of the house and shouted, “You can die of hunger and cold. We do not want to hear any more about your Jesus. He will help you if He can.”
Cold, hungry and bleeding, Lao- kong started to walk toward the city in the hope of seeing the missionary. The ten miles seemed to him like a hundred. He often fell in the darkness, but he cried to the Lord for help and was able to go on. At last, in the early morning, he came to the gate of the gospel hall and cried out, “Please open the door,” Then he fell unconscious on the steps.
The missionary wakened out of his sleep and went quickly to the door. When he saw Lao-kong, he called his servant to come quickly. Together they carried the boy inside, and did all they could to revive him.
After a few days, Lao-kong was able to get up. He shook a little, for he was still very weak, but the missionary smiled kindly and said,
“Try this suit on, Teh-en.” (Teh-es means “grace received.”)
“But my name is not Teh-en, bul Lao-kong.”
“From now on, my son, your name is Teh-en.”
The boy looked into the loving fad of his new father and his heart welled with happy joy as he exclaimed, “I am no more a slave boy; I am son in my father’s house.”
ML 02/12/1961