Away in the northwest, a Christian missionary was preaching the Gospel to a company of Indians. As he spoke of the love of God, an old Indian chief arose, walked forward, and laid his tomahawk at the missionary’s feet.
“Indian chief give his tomahawk to Jesus Christ,” said he, and sat down.
Still the missionary went on speaking of the love of Him “who though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.”
Presently the old chief rose again, and walked forward once more to the front. Unwrapping his blanket from his shoulders, he laid that at the preacher’s feet, saying,
“Indian chief give his blanket to Jesus Christ.”
But still the preacher went on, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Again the old chief rose and disappeared from the meeting. By and by he came leading his pony to the tent door. He tied it to a stake and again walked up the aisle. Facing the missionary, he said,
“Indian chief give his pony to Jesus Christ,” and sat down.
But now as the missionary continued to speak of the love of God, who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, tears began to stream down the dark cheeks of the old Indian. Rising for the last time., he walked forward to the front of the tent, and kneeled down before the missionary. With trembling lips, he said,
“Indian chief give himself to Jesus Christ.”
Dear children, do you realize that Jesus wants you, not your works, or your things, or a part of your time, but you, yourselves. He loved you so much that He came from heaven to seek and save you when you were lost. He longs for you to come to Him, and He says,
ML 08/01/1943