Mr. Taylor had faithfully taught his Sunday school class of girls for three years. Now they were to be promoted.
The last lesson with them was nearly over. Mr. Taylor had just marked the attendance, and then he grew silent and thoughtful.
“I’m going to ask each one of you a question,” said he, “and I’m going to write your answer in my book.”
“Jean, are you saved?”
“Yes, Mr. Taylor, I accepted Jesus as my Saviour one year ago.”
“Sylvia, are you saved?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then I shall have to write ‘Lost’ after your name.”
So he faithfully asked each one, and wrote their answer in his book. Then he went on to tell them that God had His own book, and although they might not answer him correctly, they could not deceive God.
Sylvia could not forget that solemn talk, nor the anxious look in Mr. Taylor’s eyes as he wrote “Lost” after her name. That very night, Sylvia knelt in the Lord’s presence and opened her Bible at Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10). Over and over she read those precious words, and at last with many tears, she bowed her head and accepted Jesus as her Saviour.
She could not wait till morning, but at once phoned Mr. Taylor to tell him the good news.
“Please,” she said, “change that word ‘Lost’ and write ‘Saved’ instead. I have just taken Jesus as my Saviour.”
There was much joy in Sylvia’s heart, and in Mr. Taylor’s too. But there was even more joy in heaven where yet another name was added to those redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
ML 10/11/1953