The American Missionary — Volume 39, No. 10, October, 1885Various
History
The American Missionary — Volume 39, No. 10, October, 1885
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
I handed the child a dime, and told him to get a warm cup of coffee and
a roll; then got from him a promise to attend the Band of Hope meeting
that afternoon at four o'clock. I hardly expected to meet him again, but
was happily surprised to see him walk in,--shoe-box on his back,--while
we were singing,--"Fold me to thy bosom." I shall never forget the
expression that was on his face as he stood spell-bound in the middle of
the floor, and stared at me and the organ. I motioned him to a seat, and
he did not move till the music had ceased and the other children were
all seated.
My lesson that day was about the great Shepherd that goes out upon the
hills and mountains of sin and gathers in the little lambs that wander
away from the sheepfold. I did not know, that day, that the dear
Saviour's hand was already stretched out to receive this one little lamb
that had many times, young as he was, been found tipsy, and also smoking
cigarettes that he had stolen from somebody's street stand.
He was a regular attendant at Sunday-school and Band of Hope, and no one
joined more heartily in the singing than "Jim." One day, in our
children's prayer-meeting, he gave his heart to Jesus. No one could
doubt the conversion of that little heart when they looked into the
bright eyes and beaming face that continually shone with heavenly light.
One day a messenger came to me in haste and said, "Jim is dying. Hurry,
please, miss; he wants to see you agin afore he dies." I hurried; and as
I groped my way along the dark alley and up the rickety stairs, I caught
the sound of the sweet voice singing "Fold me, fold me, precious
Saviour." I entered quietly, so as not to disturb the singer, but his
bright eyes saw me, and he said, "Sing it with me once more, teacher."
We sang it through together, then he said, "The next time I sing will be
when Jesus folds me in His arms. I'll never forget the hymn, but will
remember it till you come up there too; then we'll sing it again."
The little lamp of life went out. The great Shepherd had called His
little lamb home. There was
"Another gem in the Saviour's crown,
Another soul in heaven."
--_A True Story by a New York Teacher, in S. S. Times._
* * * * *
RECEIPTS FOR AUGUST, 1885.
* * * * *
MAINE, $574.03.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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