There were once two fathers. One lived on the Mississippi River. He was wealthy. Yet, he would have freely given it all, if he could have brought back his son from an early grave. One day that boy was carried home unconscious. They did everything they could to restore him, but in vain.
"He must die," said the doctor.
"But, doctor," said the father, "can you do nothing to bring him to consciousness, even for a moment?"
"That may be," said the doctor; "but he can never live."
Time passed, and after a terrible suspense, the father's wish was gratified. "My son," he whispered, "the doctor tells me you are dying."
'Well," said the boy, "you never prayed for me; will you pray for my lost soul now?"
The father wept. It was true he had never prayed. He was a stranger to God. And in a little while that soul, unprayed for, passed into eternity: Oh, father if your boy was dying, and he called on you to pray, would you pray? Have you learned this sweetest lesson of heaven on earth, to know your God? And before this evil world has taken your dearest treasures will you learn to lead your little ones to a children's Christ?
What a contrast is the other father? He too, had a lovely boy, and one day he came home to find him at the gates of death. "A great change has come over our boy," said the weeping mother: "it seems now as if he were dying fast."
The father went into the room and placed his hand on the forehead of the little boy. He could see the boy was dying. He could feel the cold damp of death.
"My son, do you know you are dying?"
"No; am I?"
"Yes; you are dying?"
"And shall I die today?"
"Yes, my boy, you cannot live till night."
'Well, then, I shall be with Jesus, tonight, won't I, Father?"
"Yes my son, you will spend tonight with the Savior."
All who read this remember that children learn early. You may have children or you may be a child yourself. But remember that you should instruct your children that their souls are much more valuable and important than any position or success that they may have in life.