I WILL now speak of a little boy, whom I had under my care a short time ago.
The first evening we were alone I read the word of God with him, and he thanked me heartily, saying he loved to hear the Bible. “Do your parents read the Bible at your home?” I asked, and he quickly answered, “O, yes” I then inquired, if he understood the Scriptures. “Some parts,” he replied, and then I asked him if he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Yes,” was his answer.
“But as you know you are a sinner, tell me what you have to say about your sins.”
“O, Mrs. T.,” said he, “it is three years since my sins were forgiven. O! you don’t know what a night that was, I shall never forget that night as long as I live. It makes me feel so sad when I think about it. It was my wicked temper, I can’t half express to you how vile I felt, and how I acted towards my dear mother, who I loved so truly.”
“But that evening I treated her so badly, for I was determined to have my own way. I stood out to the extreme, for I thought I would be master. At last my mother had to push me quite from her, and she left me alone. My governess gave me a great talking to, but I did not mind at the time. When bedtime came, I went as usual to say good night to my mother, but she would not see me. That was the dreadful part to me; my mother would not see me for the first time in my life. I could not say good night to her, and kiss her. I went to my bedroom, but I cannot tell you what I felt. I fell upon my knees and cried bitterly. I thought if I had grieved my mother, how I must have grieved God! O! how I cried to God to forgive me, and pardon all my sins! I could not leave off praying until I felt He had forgiven me. That was a night never to be forgotten.”
“But what about your sins since that night?” I asked him.
“I have never felt a doubt since that night when I was pardoned. O! I was so glad, when the morning came, to see my dear mother. I told her all, and received her forgiving kiss, too.”
This little boy was ten years old. My heart was drawn to him, as he told me the story of his life. These were very favorite words of his:—
“Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be;
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
“Smooth let it be, or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it matters not,
It leads me to Thy rest.”
Dear young readers, have you met God. and told Him all about your sins, alone with Him, as this dear boy did?
ML 03/17/1918