A great many milkmen nowadays, have never milked a cow in all their lives, but my story today is of Mick, an Irish milkman, who not only milked his own cows, but pulled his own wagon tool He was an honest man, but he made just enough money to live on. One day, poor Mick fell ill. He now had to hire someone to care for his little dairy, and, what with the worry of it all, the pain of his illness, and the distress of his soul, poor Mick was very miserable indeed. He thought himself likely to die, and all the good words he had heard in “church,” and from his neighbors did not comfort him at all. They said he was an honest man, but what did God say? He must meet God.
Somehow Mick got a Bible and read it earnestly. Its message, however, was not much like what he had heard before, God’s Word told him he was a sinner, and it told him, oh so simply and lovingly, of the Saviour of sinners who had met his need exactly, and this made him full of joy. He grew strong in body again too, and was soon able to take charge of his cows as before, and build up the business which had sadly fallen off during his illness.
His seat, however, was still empty at that church building where he had never once heard the gospel message, and soon a visitor called to ask why he did not return. Mick told him of the treasure he had found in the Holy Scriptures, and what peace and joy it had given him.
“But,” said the visitor, “you are as ignorant in such matters as a newborn babe. You need ‘the sincere milk of the Word’ and where can you get this but from the church?”
“Yes indeed,” answered Mick. “That is just what I want. When I was ill, I hired a mall in milk my cows and he mixed the milk with water that he might have more for himself. That won’t do. I want my milk straight from the cow, and I want God’s way of salvation straight from the Holy Scriptures.”
Mick’s visitor departed. Will you not, my dear reader, make sure that you have God’s way of salvation straight from the Holy Scriptures? Nor will you be left alone, if you do. You will soon find others whose salvation rests upon God’s Word too, and the Lord will lead you, through that same Word, to the place where He would have you gather to His precious name.
ML 03/15/1953