WILLIE was a little fellow, just four years old. His father was a preacher and Willie used to like to sit and listen to his message.
Willie was very fond of singing, as were all the rest of the family. One evening after they returned from the children’s meeting, his mother and sisters gathered around the piano and were singing some of their favorite hymns. Willie’s voice was heard along with the rest. Though so young he had caught many of the choruses, and could join in heartily.
Finally they came to the hymn
"Now I have found a Friend,
Jesus is mine;
His love will never end,
Jesus is mine.”
Though all the rest of the family present united in singing the words, Willie’s lips were closed. Finally he said, “Please, Mommie, don’t sing that hymn; Jesus is not mine yet.” They sang it again after supper, but Willie said again, “Mommie,... Jesus is not mine yet. I can’t sing it.” His father was surprised but said nothing.
Next morning Willie did not come down for breakfast. After waiting for him for some time his father went upstairs and there found his little boy kneeling in prayer beside his bed. When the door opened Willie got up and in most earnest tones asked, “Daddy, when is the next children’s meeting?” “Friday, my boy,” replied his father. “Won’t you ask them to pray for me,” said Willie, “so I can sing with the rest, ‘Now I have found a Friend, Jesus is mine'?”
At the next children’s meeting Willie was present drinking in every word. At the close he pressed his way to his father’s side, and putting his hand in his, he said, “Now, Daddy, I can sing with the rest —’Now I have found a Friend, Jesus is mine'!”
Little Willie, at just four years of age, had decided the greatest question of his life. He realized he was a sinner and needed to be saved. But he had found in Jesus the Friend of sinners and had taken Him into His heart as his Saviour. Happy little Willie! His conduct showed that his faith was real for he lived a consistent life from then on.
Dear young friends, decide for Christ today. " ’Twill save you from ten thousand snares to take Him while you’re young,” so goes an old hymn. The Lord Jesus will wash away all those crimson stains of sin in His precious blood, He will keep you by day, and then take you to be with Him in heaven when He comes.
ML-08/12/1962