Some years ago a poor little waif of a boy, about ten years old, was brought to the Royal Infirmary in Glaow to undergo an operation which, it was thought, might prolong the boy’s life.
He was so low that it was feared, not only that the operation might not be successful in its results, but that during or right after the operation he might pass away. While the operating table was being made ready, the little fellow was seated on a chair, and looking up toward some students who were there to witness the operation, with a pitiful voice he said, “Will one of you gentlemen put up just a wee prayer for a wee boy—I am in great trouble—just a wee prayer to Jesus for me in my sore trouble?”
The surgeon, patting him on the shoulder, spoke kindly to him; but as he heard no prayer and saw probably only a pitying smile on the faces of some of the students, he turned his head away and in childish tones and words, which were heard by those around him, he asked Jesus, his Friend, “the Friend of wee boys who loved Him,” to be with him—to have mercy on him in his distress. And while the young doctor was putting the boy under chloroform so that he might feel no pain during the operation, just as long as he was conscious, the voice of the boy was still heard in prayer.
The surgeon, as he stood by the table on which the boy lay, knowing that he had to perform an operation requiring some coolness and calmness and delicacy of touch, felt just a little overcome. There was a lump in his throat which rather disturbed him. Soon, however, he heard the words from the assistant who was administering the chloroform, “Doctor, the boy is ready”; and taking the knife in his hand, lump or no lump, he had to begin the operation. Soon the surgeon was conscious that the prayer, which the little boy had offered up for himself, had included someone else, for the steadiness of hand, and delicacy of touch all came as they were needed, and the operation was completed with more than usual ease, and success.
On the following morning, the surgeon came to the little boy and saw from the comfortable look on his face that his sufferings had been relieved, and that all was well with him. Going up to the bed and taking the little wasted hand in his, the surgeon whispered in his ear, “The good Jesus heard your prayer yesterday.”
A bright, happy, confident look lit up the boy’s face, and with a feeble yet distinct pressure of the little hand, he looked up at the doctor’s face and said, “I knew He would.” Then he added, “You, doctor, were good to me too.” But thinking that the doctor required something for his care and trouble, in a plaintive voice he said, “But I have nothing to give you.” Then a bright thought came into his mind, and with a little cheer in his tone he added, “I will just pray to Jesus for you, doctor.”
The surgeon, before leaving the ward, in bidding the boy good-bye for the day, asked him where he came from, and where he had learned to know so much about Jesus, and to love Him so dearly.
He answered, “I come from Barr-head.”
“And were you in a Sunday school there?”
“Oh, yes,” he replied.
Our readers will be pleased to learn he made a successful recovery, and is now at home.
The simple faith and prayer of the poor suffering boy is touching. God’s love to the young, proved in sending His Son to die, is the power to win to Christ, the risen, living Saviour.
Is this dear boy’s Saviour yours? If not, will you take Him as your own Saviour? His precious blood cleanseth from all sin; has it cleansed away your sins? Is all your instruction in the Sunday school about Jesus and His love to go for nothing? O receive God’s love and trust in the finished work of Calvary and you will be saved, yes, saved the very instant you believe God’s Word about His Son. Just read what the Bible says in John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” And 1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)2 Says, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
“There’s a Friend for little children,
Above the bright blue sky;
A Friend who never changes,
Whose love can never die.
Unlike our friends by nature,
Who change with changing years,
This Friend is always worthy,
The precious name He bears.”
ML 01/31/1954