Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour - A Token for Children
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| Publié par | nusher |
| Publié le | 08 décembre 2010 |
| Nombre de lectures | 41 |
| Langue | English |
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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour, by John Wesley
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Title: Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour A Token for Children
Author: John Wesley
Release Date: December 10, 2009 [EBook #30645]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF BOYS AND GIRLS ***
Produced by Michael Gray
SARAH'S DEATH BED
STORIES
OF
BOYS AND GIRLS
WHO
LOVED THE SAVIOUR
A Token for Children
EXTRACTED FROM A LATE AUTHOR, By John Wesley, A.M.
New York: PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PORTER, SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, 200 MULBERRY STREET.
CONTENTS.
LITTLE SARAH HOWLEY A HAPPY BOY HAPPY MARY PRAYING CHARLIE A POOR BUT HAPPY BOY A BABE IN CHRIST THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER LITTLE JACOB'S FAITH JACOB'S SISTER SUSANNAH THE MERCHANT'S SON PIOUS LITTLE PETER THE DUTIFUL DAUGHTER
A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN.
LITTLE SARAH HOWLEY.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could, which might easily be perceived by her eyes and countenance.
2. She was not contented with this, but got her little brother and sister into a chamber with her, and told them their condition by nature, and wept over them, and prayed with them.
3. After this, she heard another sermon upon Prov. xxix, 15 "He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy;" at which she was more affected than before, and was so exceedingly solicitous about her soul, that she spent great part of the night in weeping and praying, and could scarcely take any rest, day nor night, for some time together; desiring with all her soul to escape from everlasting flames, and to get an interest in the Lord Jesus: O what should she do for Christ! what should she do to be saved!
4. She gave herself much to attending upon the word preached, and still continued very tender under it, greatly relishing what she heard.
5. She was very much in secret prayer, and was usually very importunate, and full of tears.
6. She could scarcely speak of sin, or be spoken to, but her heart was ready to melt.
7. She spent much time in reading the Scripture.
8. She was exceedingly dutiful to her parents, very loath to grieve them in the least: and if she had at any time (which was very rare) offended them, she would weep bitterly.
9. She abhorred lying, and allowed herself in no known sin.
10. When she was at school, she was eminent for her diligence, teachableness, meekness, and modesty, speaking little, but when she did speak, it was usually spiritual.
11. She continued in this course of religious duties for some years together.
12. When she was about fourteen years old, she broke a vein in her lungs, (as is supposed,) and often spat blood, yet did a little recover.
13. In the beginning of January, she was taken very bad again, in which sickness she was in great distress of soul. When she was first taken, she said, "O mother, pray for me, for Satan is so busy that I cannot pray for myself; I see I am undone without Christ, and a pardon! O, I am undone to all eternity!"
14. Her mother, knowing how serious she had been formerly, did a little wonder that she should be in such agonies; and asked her what sin it was that was so burdensome to her spirit? "O mother," said she, "it is not any particular sin that sticks so close to my conscience, as the sin of my nature: without the blood of Christ that will damn me."
15. Her mother asked her what she should pray for, for her? She answered, "That I may
have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; and that I may have an assurance of God's love to my soul." Her mother asked her why she spoke so little to the minister that came to her? She answered, "It was her duty with patience and silence to learn of him."
16. One time when she fell into a fit, she cried out, "O I am going; I am going: but what shall I do to be saved? Lord Jesus, I will lie at thy feet; and if I perish, it shall be at the fountain of thy mercy."
17. She was much afraid of presumption, and dreaded a mistake in the matters of her soul, and would be often putting up ejaculations to God, to deliver her from deceiving herself. To instance in one, "Great and mighty God," said she, "let my faith be a true faith; that I may not be a foolish virgin, having a lamp, but no oil."
18. Her father bade her be of good cheer, because she was going to a better Father; at which she fell into a great agony, and said, "But how do I know that? I am a poor sinner, who wants assurance; O for assurance!"
This was her great, earnest, and constant request to all who came to her, to beg assurance for her; and she would look with so much eagerness upon them, as if she desired nothing in the world so much as that they would pity her, and help her with their prayers. Never was a poor creature more earnest for any thing than she was for assurance and the light of God's countenance. O the piteous moan that she would make! O the agony that her soul was in!
19. The Lord's day before that on which she died, a kinsman of hers came to see her, and asked her whether she knew him? She answered, "Yes, I know you, and I desire you would learn to know Christ. You are young, but you know not how soon you may die! and, O, to die without Christ is a fearful thing! O, redeem time! O, time, time, precious time!" Being requested by him not to spend herself, she said, "She would fain do all the good she could while she lived;" upon which account she desired that a sermon might be preached at her funeral, concerning the preciousness of time.
20. Some ministers who came to see her earnestly entreated the Lord to give her some token for good, that she might die in full triumph: notes of the same nature were sent to several churches.
21. After she had long waited for an answer to their prayers, she said, "Well, I will venture my soul upon Christ."
22. Considering the pains and agonies that she was in, her patience was next to a wonder: "Lord," said she, "Lord, give me patience, that I may not dishonour thee!"
23. On Thursday, after long waiting, great fears, and many prayers, when all her friends thought she had been past speaking, to the astonishment of her friends, she broke forth thus, with a very audible voice, and cheerful countenance: "Lord, thou hast promised that whosoever come unto thee thou wilt in no wise cast them out: Lord, I come unto thee, and surely thou wilt in no wise cast me out; O, so precious! O, so glorious is Jesus! I have thee! Blessed and glorious is Jesus; he is precious, he is precious! O, the admirable love of God in sending Christ and free grace to a poor lost creature!"
24. Her soul then seemed ravished with the love of Christ. And while she was engaged in magnifying of God, her father, brothers, and sisters, with others of the family, were called, to whom she spake particularly as her strength would give leave. She gave her Bible as a
legacy to one of her brothers, and desired him to use that well for her sake; and added, to him and the rest, "O make use of time to get Christ for your souls: spend no time in running up and down, or in playing: O get Christ for your souls while you are young! Remember now your Creator before you come to a sick bed: put not off this great work till then, for then you will find it hard work indeed: I know by experience the devil will tell you it is time enough; and you are young, and what need you be in such haste? you will have time enough when you are old. But remember the words of a dying sister. If you knew how good Christ is! if you had but one taste of his sweetness, you had rather go to him a thousand times than stay in this wicked world. I would not for ten thousand worlds part with my interest in Christ. O, how happy am I that I am going to everlasting joys! I would not go back again for twenty thousand worlds; and will you not strive to get an interest in Christ?"
25. After this, looking upon one of her father's servants, she said, "What shall I do at the great day, when Christ shall say to me, 'Come, thou blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for thee?' and shall say to the wicked, 'Go, thou cursed, into the lake that burns for ever!' What a grief is it for me to think that I should see any of my friends that I knew upon earth, turned into that lake which burns for ever! O that word, for ever! Remember that for ever! I speak these words to you, but they are nothing except God speaks to you too: O pray that God would give you grace!" And then she prayed, "O Lord, finish thy work upon their souls: it will be my comfort to see you in glory; but it will be your everlasting happiness."
26. On Friday, after she had had such lively discoveries of God's love, she was exceedingly desirous to die, and cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Conduct me to thy tabernacle. I am a poor creature without thee; but, Lord Jesus, my soul longs to be with thee: O when shall it be? Why not now, blessed Jesus? Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! But why do I thus speak? Thy time, my Lord, is the best: O, give me patience."
27. On Saturday she spoke but little, being very drowsy, yet now and then she dropped these words, "How long, O blessed Jesus? Finish thy work, holy Jesus: come away, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"
28. On the Lord's day she scarcely spoke any thing. She requested that notes of thanksgiving might be sent to those who had formerly prayed for her, that they might help her to praise the Lord for that full assurance which he had given her of his love; and seemed to be swallowed up with the thoughts of God's free love to her soul. She often commended her spirit into the hand of the Lord. The last words she was heard to utter were these, "Lord, help, Lord Jesus, help! my Lord Jesus, blessed Jesus!" Thus on the Lord's day, between nine and ten o'clock in the evening, she sweetly slept in Jesus, and began an everlasting Sabbath, February 19, 1670.
A HAPPY BOY.
A LITTLE CHILD whose mother had dedicated him to the Lord in infancy, when he could not speak plain would be crying after God, and was greatly desirous to be taught good things.
2. He could not endure to be put to bed without prayer, but would put his parents upon it, with much devotion kneel down, and with great patience and delight continue till it was concluded, without the least sign of being weary. He seemed never so well pleased as when so engaged.
3. He could not be satisfied with family prayer, but he would often be upon his knees by himself in one corner or another.
4. He was much delighted in hearing the word of God either read or preached.
5. He loved to go to school, that he might learn something of God, and would take great notice of what he had read, and come home and speak of it with much affection. He would rejoice in his book, and say to his mother, "O mother, I had a sweet lesson to-day: will you please to give me leave to fetch my book, that you may hear it?"
6. He quickly learned to read the Scripture, and would, with great reverence, tenderness, and groans, read till tears and sobs were ready to hinder him.
7. When he was at secret prayer he would weep bitterly.
8. He was wont often to complain of the wickedness of his heart, and seemed to be more grieved for the corruption of his nature, than, for actual sin.
9. He was much troubled for the wandering of his thoughts in prayer, and that he could not always keep his heart fixed upon God, and his affections more constantly raised.
10. He kept a watch over his heart, and observed the workings of his soul, and would complain that they were so vain and foolish, and so little busied about spiritual things.
11. He was exceedingly importunate with God in prayer, and would plead with God at an unusual rate; and he would beg and expostulate, and weep so, that sometimes it could not be kept from the ears of the neighbours: so that one in the next house was forced to cry out, "The prayers and tears of that child in the next house will sink me to hell!" because by it he did condemn his neglect of prayer and his slight performance of it.
12. He abhorred lying with all his soul.
13. When he had committed any sin, he was easily convinced of it, and would get into some corner, or secret place, and with tears beg pardon of God, and strength to guard against it.
14. When other children were at play, he would be praying.
15. A friend of his asked him, when he was first taken sick, whether he was not willing to die? He answered, No! because he was afraid of his state as to another world. "Why, child," said the other, "thou didst pray for a new heart, for an humble and sincere heart, and I have heard thee: didst thou not pray with thy heart?" "I hope I did," rejoined he.
16. Not long after, the same person asked him again, "If he was willing to die?" He answered, "Now I am willing, for I shall go to Christ."
17. He still grew weaker and weaker, but behaved with a great deal of sweetness and patience, waiting for his change. At last, calling upon the name of the Lord, and saying, "Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus!" he sweetly slept, dying when he was between five and six
years old.
HAPPY MARY.
MARY A., when she was between four and five years old, was greatly affected in hearing the word of God, and became very solicitous about her soul, weeping bitterly to think what would become of her in another world, asking strange questions concerning God, and Christ, and her own soul. So that before she was full five years old, she minded the one thing needful, and chose the better part. 2. She was wont to be much in secret prayer, and many times came from her knees with tears.
3. She would choose such times and places for secret prayer as might render her less observed by others: and endeavoured to conceal what she was doing when she was engaged therein.
4. Her mother being full of sorrow after the death of her husband, this child came to her and asked her why she wept so exceedingly? Her mother answered that she had cause enough to weep, because her father was dead. "No, dear mother," said the child, "you have no cause to weep so much, for God is a good God still." 5. She was a dear lover of faithful ministers. One time after she had been hearing Mr. Whitaker, she said, "I love that man dearly for the sweet words he speaks concerning Christ."
6. Her book was her delight; and many times she was so strangely affected in reading the Scriptures, that she burst out into tears, and would hardly be pacified: so greatly was she taken with Christ's sufferings, the zeal of God's servants, and the danger of a natural state. 7. She often complained of the corruption of her nature, of the hardness of her heart, that she could repent no more, and be no more humble and grieved for her sins against a good God; and when she thus complained, it was with abundance of tears.
8. She was very conscientious in keeping the Sabbath, spending the whole time in reading or praying, learning her catechism, or teaching her brothers and sisters. One time when she was left at home on the Lord's day, she got some other little children together, with her brothers and sisters, and told them that it was the Lord's day, and they ought to remember it to keep it holy. She then told them it was to be spent in religious exercises all the day, except so much as was taken up in the works of necessity and mercy: then she prayed with them, and among other things begged that the Lord would give grace and wisdom to them, (little children,) that they might know how to serve him.
9. At another time a near relation of hers being in some straits, made some complaint, to whom she said, "I have heard Mr. Garter say, 'A man may go to heaven without a penny in his purse, but not without grace in his heart.'"
10. She had an extraordinary love to the people of God: and when she saw any who she
thought feared the Lord, her heart would even leap for joy.
11. When she was between eleven and twelve years old, she sickened of the plague, in which she behaved with admirable patience and sweetness, and did what she could with Scripture arguments to support and encourage her relations to part with her, who was going to glory, and to prepare themselves to meet her in a blessed eternity.
12. She was not many days sick before she was marked with the complaint which she first saw herself, and was greatly rejoiced to think that she was marked out for the Lord, and was now going apace to Christ. She called to her friends and said, "I am marked, but be not troubled, for I know I am marked for one of the Lord's own." One asked her how she knew that? She answered, "The Lord hath told me that I am one of his dear children." And this she spoke with a holy confidence in the Lord's love, and was not in the least daunted at the approach of death; but seemed greatly delighted in the apprehension of her nearness to her Father's house. And it was not long before she was filled with joy unspeakable in believing.
13. When she lay dying, her mother came to her, and told her she was sorry she had so frequently reproved and corrected so good a child; "O mother," said she, "speak not thus: I bless God, now I am dying, for your reproofs and corrections too: for, it may be, I might have gone to hell, if it had not been for your reproofs and corrections."
14. Some of the neighbours came to visit her, and asked her if she could leave them. She answered, "If you serve the Lord, you will come after me to glory."
15. A little before she died, she had a great conflict with Satan, and cried out, "I am none of his." Her mother seeing her troubled, asked her what was the matter? She answered, "Satan did trouble me, but now, I thank God, all is well. I know I am none of his, but Christ's."
16. After this she had a great sense of God's love, and a glorious sight, as if she had seen the very heavens open, and the angels coming to receive her; by which her heart was filled with joy, and her tongue with praise.
17. Being desired by the bystanders to give them a particular account of what she saw, she answered, "You shall know hereafter:" and so in an ecstasy of joy and triumph, she went to God when she was about twelve years old.
PRAYING CHARLIE.
CHARLES BRIDGEMAN had no sooner learned to speak, but he betook himself to prayer.
2. He was very prone to learn the things of God.
3. He would be sometimes teaching those persons that waited upon him their duty.
4. He learned by heart many good things before he was well fit to go to school. And when he was sent to school, he carried it so that all that observed him, either did or might
admire him. O, the sweet temper, the good disposition, the sincere religion which was in the child!
5. When he was at school what was it that he desired to learn but Christ and him crucified?
6. So religious and savoury were his words, his actions so upright, his devotions so hearty, his fear of God so great, that many were ready to say as they did of John,—What manner of child shall this be?
7. He would be much in reading the Holy, Scriptures.
8. He was desirous of more spiritual knowledge, and would be oft asking very serious and admirable questions.
9. He would not stir out of doors before he had poured out his soul to the Lord in prayer.
10. When he ate any thing, he would be sure to lift up his heart unto the Lord for a blessing upon it; and when he had moderately refreshed himself by eating, he would not forget to acknowledge God's goodness in feeding him.
11. He would not lie down in his bed till he had been upon his knees; and when sometimes he had forgotten his duty, he would quickly get out of his bed, and kneeling down upon his bare knees, ask God's forgiveness of that sin.
12. He would rebuke his brethren, if they were at any time too hasty at their meals, and did eat without asking a blessing; his check was this: "Dare you do thus? God be merciful to us! this bit of bread might choke us."
13. His sentences were wise and weighty, and might well become some ancient Christian.
14. His sickness was a lingering disease: against which, to comfort him, one tells him of possessions that must fall to his portion; "And what are they?" said he, "I had rather have the kingdom of heaven than a thousand such inheritances."
15. When he was sick he seemed much taken up with heaven, and asked very serious questions about the nature of the soul.
16. After he was pretty well satisfied about that, he inquired how his soul might be saved? The answer being made, "By the applying of Christ's merit by faith:" he was pleased with the answer, and was ready to give any one that should desire it an account of his hope.
17. Being asked whether he had rather live or die? he answered, "I desire to die, that I may go to my Saviour."
18. His pains increasing upon him, one asked him whether he would rather still endure those pains or forsake Christ? "Alas!" said he, "I know not what to say, being a child: for these pains may stagger a strong man; but I will strive to endure the best I can." Upon this he called to mind that martyr,Thomas Bilney, who, being in prison the night before his burning, put his finger into the candle to know how he could endure the fire; "O," said the child, "had I lived then, I would have run through the fire to have gone to Christ."
19. His sickness lasted long: and at least three days before his death he prophesied his
departure, and not only that he must die, but the very day. "On the Lord's day," said he, "look to me;" neither was this a word of course, which you may guess by his frequent repetition, every day asking till the day came indeed, "What, is Sunday come?" At last, the looked-for day came on; and no sooner had the sun beautified that morning with its light, but he falls into a trance, his eyes were fixed, his face cheerful, his lips smiling, his hands and arms clasped in a bow, as if he would have embraced some blessed angel that was at hand to receive his soul. But he comes to himself, and tells them how he saw the sweetest body that ever eyes beheld, who bid him to be of good cheer, for he must presently go with him.
20. One that stood near him, as now suspecting the time of his dissolution nigh, bid him say, "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit, which is thy due; for why? thou hast redeemed it, O Lord, my God, most true!"
21. The last words which he spoke were exactly these: "Pray, pray, pray, nay, yet pray, and the more prayers the better all prospers; God is the best physician; into thy hands I commend my spirit. O Lord Jesus receive my soul: now close mine eyes: forgive me, father, mother, brother, sister, all the world. Now I am well; my pain is almost gone, my joy is at hand. Lord, have mercy on me. O Lord, receive my soul unto thee." And thus he yielded up his spirit unto the Lord when he was about twelve years old.
A POOR BUT HAPPY BOY.
A VERY poor child, of the parish of Newington-Butts, came to the door of a friend of mine, in a very lamentable case: it pleased God to raise in the heart of my friend a great pity and tenderness toward him: so that he took him out of the streets, who had nothing at all to commend him to any one's charity but his misery. My friend, seeking the glory of God, discharged the parish of the child, and took him as his own; yet there seemed to be little hopes of doing good upon him, for he was a very monster of wickedness, and a thousand times more miserable and vile by his sin than by his poverty. He was running to hell as fast as he could go, and was old in vice when he was but young in years: we scarcely hear of one so like the devil in his infancy as was this poor child. What sin was there that his age was capable of, which he did not commit? What by the corruption of his nature, and the abominable example of little beggar boys, he was indeed arrived at a great pitch of impiety. He would call names, take God's name in vain, curse, swear, and do all kinds of mischief; and as to any thing of God, he was worse than a heathen.
2. No sooner had this good man taken this creature into his house but he prayed for him, and laboured with all his might to convince him of his miserable condition by nature, and to teach him something of God, the worth of his own soul, and that eternity of glory or misery to which he was bound. And, blessed be God, it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that it was himself who put into his heart to take in this child. The Lord soon blessed his instructions, so that an amazing change was seen. In the space of a few weeks he was convinced of the evil of his ways; no more calling of names, swearing or cursing, no more taking of the Lord's name in vain. His company, his talk, his employment, were changed, and he was like another creature.
3. And this change was not only an external one, but he would get by himself, and weep
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