Part 29 (2/2)
G.o.d KEEPS HOLD OF THE OTHER HAND.
A little boy with his mother was returning from a visit; the night was very dark, and little could be seen ahead. She led her little boy, by the hand, who trustingly walked by her side. He had only just begun to learn and remember the stories of the Bible, and he believed and trusted everything he heard. After walking for sometime in the darkness, very silently, he burst out with,
”Mamma, I'm not afraid.”
”Why, what makes you feel so.”
”_Because, mamma, G.o.d keeps hold of the other hand_.”
This is the beautiful lesson older ones, too, must learn, the simple, childlike confidence in G.o.d, which gives no fear, no alarm.
The skeptic can never accuse little children of the same theories, philosophies, imaginations and beliefs which are characteristic of older heads. The child knows nothing of such books of reason, science or religion. Many a child who could not read has asked of G.o.d and his prayer has been answered; and when the whole world witnesses a little child, who in its innocence has been told that G.o.d lives, that G.o.d loves him, that G.o.d can do everything and will surely hear his prayer, and then in its care and grief, kneels before the G.o.d it trusts, offers its little prayer, _and the prayer is answered_, let none of maturer minds ever presume to doubt. The faith of little children is typical of the very simplest faith wherewith any human being must approach its Creator.
The child never questions, never doubts; but in its simplicity asks, and G.o.d honors the trust. The following incident ill.u.s.trates the point, _that not one thing is ere too small for G.o.d to consider, or a soul to bring to him in prayer_.
A CHILD WHOSE LIFE WAS SAVED IN ANSWER TO PRAYER--BY HIS OWN PRAYER THE LIFE OF HIS SISTER IS SAVED.
One of the most beautiful incidents ever known relating to the faith of children, and the reward of their trust, is contained in the following circ.u.mstance, personally known to the editor of this book, who was a partic.i.p.ant in the facts.
The only child of a young married couple, living in this city, their pride, their hope and joy, and the darling of the whole family, was seized with severe sickness, grew rapidly worse. The grandfather, who was a skilled physician, was constantly present, ministering in every way, by every means, but nothing was of any avail. No medicine could cure, and the child seemed ready to die. No one could think of relief or knew where to find it. The grandfather, at last, proposed to lay the case before G.o.d, and ask the prayers of His people in the child's behalf. The mother was only too glad to ask other prayers with her own, to bring relief. The father, who had hitherto never seriously thought of religion, was in intense anxiety and despair. Here was his first, his only child about to be taken away from him, and then came the thought, is it possible his family life was not to be blessed; his child was in distress, no human effort was available. At last, he too joined in the prayer of his wife and father, and bowing before the Great Unknown, unseen G.o.d, he poured out his heart in prayer, saying, ”_Lord, if thou wilt spare my child, wilt give him life, and thus show to me thy power and will to save, I will never doubt again, and will give thee my heart”_
A request for prayer was written and sent to the pastor, Dr. William Adams, of the Madison Square Church. It arrived after church service had begun; the s.e.xton was unwilling to carry it to the pulpit, as it was against the rule, but when told he _must, as a life was in great danger_, he consented, and delivered it to the pastor.
The messenger waited breathlessly, and when in silence the doctor specifically mentioned the case before him, and asked the Lord to heal and spare the little one, and comfort the hearts of all, and make it a witness of his love and power, the messenger accidentally looked at the clock, and it marked just _quarter to eleven_, A.M.
When prayer was finished he returned home. Arriving at home, he was astonished to find the child better, its whole condition had changed, the medicine had taken hold, and the doctor now said everything was so hopeful the child would surely recover, and it did. But mark the unparalleled singularity of the scene. The father asked the messenger the _time_ when the prayer was offered. He replied, ”At a _quarter to eleven.”_ The father in astonishment said, ”_At that very moment_ the disease changed, and the doctor said he was better.”
The father, who had thus been proving the Lord with this test of prayer and its ident.i.ty of time in his answer, was so overwhelmingly convinced of the real power of prayer, and thereby of the real existence of G.o.d, and that a Christian life was one of facts as well as beliefs, now finding that the Lord had indeed kept His own promise, he, too, kept his promise and gave his heart to the Lord, and became henceforth, a professing Christian.
But there were more wonderful things yet to happen--a period of five years pa.s.sed. Other children were added to the family, and one day, the youngest, a sweet, beautiful girl, was taken suddenly ill with convulsions. The sickness for days tasked the strength of the mother, and the skill of the doctor, but no care, ingenuity, or knowledge could overcome the disease or subdue the pain. The little girl's fits were severe and distressing, and there were but short intervals between, just time to come out of one and with a gasp, pa.s.s into another still more terrible. In its occasional moments of reason, it would look piteously as if mutely appealing, and then the next convulsion would take it and seem to leave it just at death's door.
All attendants were worn with care, the doctor fairly lived in the house and forsook all his other business. The clergyman came and comforted the anxious hearts with words of sympathy and prayer; but her _little brother Merrill_, (whose own life we have just related,) tender-hearted, a mere child, scarce seven years of age, who had known of the Lord, and who believed that He was everywhere and could do everything, was intensely grieved at ”Mamie's” distress, and came at last to his mother and asked if he could go and ”_make a prayer to G.o.d for Sissy_.” The mother said, ”Go.” The little boy went back into his room, and kneeling humbly by the side of his bed, as he did at his night and morning prayers, uttered this request:
_”O G.o.d, please to bless little sister, she is very sick. Please stop her fits so she won't have any more. For Jesus' sake, amen.”_
He came back, told his mamma what he said, and added: ”_Mamma, I don't think she will have any more_.”
Now mark how the Lord honored this simple faith of the little child.
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