LITTLE Bessie was the only child of her poor parents. Her mother, a laborious devoted woman, did her best to render her humble dwelling attractive; but her father was both an idler and a drunkard. At the age of six, Bessie, who was an intelligent and lively child, began to attend a Sunday-school, and when she was able to read fluently the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, her teacher, Miss Alice, made her a present of a small Bible bound in red, on the cover of which her name was printed in letters of gold. What a joy it was to Bessie, to show her treasure to her mother! From that time she never missed learning by heart each day, a verse of Holy Scripture.
Two years passed by, and then Bessie fell ill. On seeing her flushed cheeks and parched lips, the doctor shook his head.
“Do you think I shall ever get well?” Bessie asked him, fixing on him her large black eyes.
“I hope so,” replied the doctor.
“But do you believe that I may be cured?” said Bessie. “I shall not be afraid to die, and to go to heaven, where Jesus is.”
“I do not know, my little girl,” replied the doctor, “but God will take care of you.”
“Yes, God will take care of me,” said Bessie, softly.
Then she became so delirious that she did not even recognize her mother, nor her teacher, nor her father. The latter, seated at her bedside, watched her day and night. He was sober now, for he loved his little daughter, and he feared that God might take her away from him.
It was during the night that reason returned to little Bessie, and then she knew everybody. Miss Alice was near her.
“Am I going to die, Miss Alice?” was her first question.
“I think so, my dear child,” answered her teacher. “Are you prepared to die?”
“Oh! yes,” said Bessie with a sweet smile; “I am so happy! I love Jesus, and I wish so much to go to heaven! But, Miss Alice, when I go, I wish that you may place the little Bible in my hands. God will let me take it to heaven, I think. Then, when Jesus shall say, Let little children come unto Me, I shall be able to open my Bible at the very place where these words are found; and I know that He will be pleased that I have learned them down here. Will you not do it, Miss Alice?”
“Yes, dear child, you shall have your Bible in your hand.”
Bessie’s father, seated near her, began to sob, for his heart seemed near to break at the thought of separation from his little daughter. “Shall I never see you again, then, my child?” said he at last.
“If you rove the dear Saviour, you will go to heaven, Father,” whispered Bessie, placing her little weak hand in that of her father. “You wish to love Him; is it not so? I have such a desire that you and Mother may go to heaven!”
“I do not know what to do. I shall not be able to find the road!” cried the unhappy father.
Bessie’s face was lighted up with joy, and, making a sign with her hand, in order that Miss Alice might approach her, she said, “Do not put the Bible in my hands when I go to heaven; I will tell Jesus that I have left my Bible for Father and Mother, so that they may also find the road that leads there. Do not fail to come, Father . . . do not fail . . . to come!”
Such were the last words that little Bessie uttered.
Bessie’s father and mother shed tears abundantly at their loss, and they carefully preserved the departed one’s little Bible. And what use did they make of it? They read it, and their hearts having been made attentive by the happy death of their darling child, they read it with the deep desire to know the heavenly road. Both felt they had lived in sin, afar from God. The cares of the house had acted like a screen to hide God from the mother who was always absorbed with her duties; while gross sins had been the barrier which hindered the father from coming to the Saviour. But both now came to the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. They understood the words; “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). They read with astonishment that the Son of God had come to save them in receiving their chastisement, and that whosoever believes in Him has eternal life. They simply believed these truths, and by faith they received the remission of their sins. From that time they consecrated their life to the Saviour, and sought to avoid what displeases Him, and to do His will. It was thus through their dear little daughter that they learned the way to heaven.
ML 05/31/1903