THE cold winter brings its sorrows, as well as its pleasures, and there are many of my young readers who have comfortable homes and warm clothing, who rejoice to see the snow come and the hard frost so they can have some fun with their sleighs, just like the children in our picture.
It is very good to enjoy all that God has given to us, but may we all remember that sin and the awful results, have come into this world, so there are many people suffering, and when the cold winter comes, there are many who do not have proper clothing and food, and are without comfortable homes, and, consequently, cannot enjoy these pleasures, but suffer and cry from being so cold.
Don’t you think we ought to consider those in need, and see what we can do to help them? All, that is what the Lord Jesus has done for us. He did not stay in the glory, and enjoy His wonderful bliss, and leave us down here to suffer in all our misery and sin, but He laid aside His glory and home above, and came into this world of sin, to suffer and die for us that we might never have to bear what we deserved; but that we may be brought to God, to be lifted from a scene of suffering and sin like this, and to share the glory with Himself. Do you believe He did all this for you—that He has so loved you? If so, He would have you go and show that kindness to others, as well as receive it from His hand in connection with eternal things for yourself.
There are various ways we may show that kindness to others; by praying for others; telling them of Jesus and His love that they may be saved; by seeking to correct wrong ways, tenderly and lovingly, when we see one and another going in the wrong path.
The needs of others, instead of our own needs, should concern us and we know it will please the Lord to see us manifesting that grace to others which. He has shown to us.
The temporal needs, too, we will think of, and seek to relieve all we can, but the temporal needs are by no means the most important. It is the eternal needs.
As the snow falls fast around us, and the frost bites our faces and fingers, may we then think of the sufferings of those around us and seek to give relief, and above all take the opportunity to tell of Jesus and His love to poor sinners, and point them to Him as their Saviour.
ML 02/14/1909