Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-19
A Lost Child.

heard little story which gave me
very happy thought of God, and think the
children will understand it very clearly.
A dear little boy in the city had been
dressed up nicely, one afternoon, and al
lowed to go ont in the street. While play
ing there, company Of men in procession,
with band of music, who were going out
TO shoot at target, came along, and Of
course attracted his attention.
As they marched along he followed them
on, on, through one street after another. till
they got outside of the row of houses, into
the open commons. Then a flock Of geese
caught his eye, and away he went after
them. Then something else.
And so he wandered on very naturally,
but all the time getting farther away from
home.
AT last evening came, and his father re-
turned home, only to find the mother almost
broken-hearted, and the whole household
alarmed with the thought that the little one
was lost.
Some Of you may know something about
this. There is no feeling like it to the parent
the terrible fear and uncertainty, the
wondering if injury has come to him, if he
will ever be found alive. or found at all.
Then all the DEAFNESS of the child comes 10
the heart, and the feeling is that they can
not do without him. Oh, there is nothing
so startling, so dreadful, as the knowledge
that one is lost.
And then how everybody in the house is
set at work at once to find the lost one. The
whole house is set to that. All the children
at home are forgotten for the time for the
sake of this lost one And so it is with God
and his lost ones. He wants them in his
arms. lie must have them.
Supper was not of much account that
night, you may believe. Who could eat
when the little darling was away, they did
not know where-LosT
The father ran to the police station, Their
inquired along the streets, looking every
where that he imagined the child might be
ran TO the river with terrible fear in hi.
heart that he might hear some child hat
fallen in. It was time when there was
| good deal of excitement about children be
ing Kidnapped and this added to the anx
iety and anguish.
At last, far along in the evening, cam,
word from the police station, that littl'
boy had been picked up and was now a
the station two or three miles away. Thel
the father hastened to it. Every way of 90
ing seemed too slow, for he longed to clasl
his boy at once to his arms. Oh how tn
heart and arms of both parents Just acheC
to embrace him once more alive
On reaching the station-house he wa
shown the boy that was there. But what
sight He was dirty from head to feet. NJ
appearance of nice, clean clothes there, no
the sweet-looking boy that left home SOM
hours before The poor little fellow ha,
been crying, and the tears had run down
making channels of white through the dir
on his face, and his fists had been rubin,
his eyes, till you can imagine how he looked
But he was the right one, the precou
child of the man who was seeking him. An,
did the father care or think of the dirt at all
in any other way than to make him the NOR
tenderly feel for him
All, no He eagerly ran to him, foldin
him in arms, with kisses and tender expres
sions of love. There were no reproache
then, only expressions of love and joy.
And then, again, all means Of travel wer
too slow to get the fond one home wher
anxious hearts were to be relieved, and 10
fill the place.
Now, will not the little reader understan
the whole matter? If you have passe
through such a scene, you know the stor
has not been half told.
God in his Word tells us of sinners b,
ing lost, and of his love in going out afte
them. 1t is by Christ coming down her
and going TO the cross for us. And remen
Der that he finds us in our sins, just as thi
boy was found in his dirt and need. Bu
this does not turn his heart from us it onl
draws it out the more. DO you remembe
when the father ran to meet his son in LUX
XIV, whether he drew back because he wa
in rags and ruin ? He did not tell him t
go and wash and dress himself up clean b'
fore he put his arms about him and kisse
him.
So do we believe in that great overwheln
ing love of God TO sinners that longs TO
something to make themselves better frs
lie saves for nothing, and he saves us in GU
ruin. Believe in him alone Christian w
| ness