A DEAR old missionary went one day to speak to some girls at a private school.
Just at that time he had a young African prince staying with him, whom he asked to accompany him and to say a few words also. Prince J. E— looked astonished, and asked, “What can I say to young ladies who know God—I, who have only known Him such a little while?”
The answer of the missionary surprised him still more. “You say they know God, but that is a mistake. Of course they have heard about Him ever since they were born, but some of them do not yet know Him; their hearts have never been touched by His love.”
On arriving at the school the missionary gave a little address, and showed some idols and curiosities which he had collected in Yoruba, West Africa. Then at the close he asked his African friend to speak, and the prince began:—“Dear young ladies, I cannot say much to you, for I find your language is a very hard one. I thought you all knew more than I do, for I have been brought up in a heathen country, and worshiped idols such as you have been looking at. I have only known your God a little while. But my friend tells me that perhaps some of you do not know Him yet, and this seemed so strange to me that I could not find it in my head to believe it. Is it really true? Our gods are so wicked and hard and cruel we could not love them; but when your missionary came and told us about your God, how loving He is, and how He gave His dear Son to die such a cruel death to save us and wash away our black sins, then my heart believed in Him and loved Him. Can you hear about such great love and not love Him back? My eyes feel as if they could weep for you; but you will soon get to know Him, won’t you? I must tell you that my father is a king, and I might be one next him; but I do not want to be. I want instead to go and tell my people about this loving God and His Son Jesus, and my brother may be king. I pray that you may soon all know God.”
Are you like this young African prince, whose heart had been touched by the love of God so that he loved Him in return? Or are you like some of those girls, well educated in the things of this world, but ignorant of the love of God?
One of those girls never forgot what the prince said. She was struck with her own ingratitude and sin, and found no rest till she knew and believed the love of God in Christ Jesus whom she trusted as her Saviour.
Jesus is calling little ones to Him. Have you come to Him yet?
ML-07/22/1962