The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-24
Only a Dime.


1t was only a dime, earned by the |
sweat of youthful brow-a single,
shining dime, which made one little
heart to pulsate with pleasure and pride
as he placed it carefully away.
How should he spend it? A score of
pleasant visions flashed before his
mind. He would that lit might pur-
chase all the little toys peculiar to boy
ish play. But only the year before
Willie had given his heart to Jesus,
and after the kind pastor had well
coined him into the church, he said to
him: "Wilie, in this land of ours there
are many little boys and girls who have
never heard of Jesus. Cannot you, out
of your earnings, help to send them the
blessed word of Christ's undying love?
And Willie, with heart beating in the
strength of its early love, had answered,
Yes"
Ali but should he send this, his first
and only dime? 1t was his own, his
very own; he had toiled 80 hard to earn
it, surely he could not be expected to
part with it thus. Then came the re-
membrance of the PASTORS words, and
the thought, "Christ died for these little
boys and girls, and they do not know
it,"
He was generous and impulsive, and
in moment his heart was all astir with
pity and love. Yes, will do it," he
cried. "I will take my dime and send
Testament to one of those boys"
He bought it, a neat little Testament,
and on the fy-leaf the pastor wrote the
words, From Willie Gray, to little
boy who has never heard of Jesus"
and beneath it the words, "For this is
the message that we heard from the be-
ginning, that we should love one an
other"
Out in a rude settlement in Dakota
lived herdsman and his little son.
Years before, he had settled there, and
the bright-eyed boy, his only COM
panion, had never heard the name of
Jesus. In his babyhood the mother
had died, and the father, never Chris
tian, had from that time hardened his
heart against God.
One morning at the door of the rude
hut the father found small package
simply labeled, "To Willie"
The child was wild with glee. Never
before had a gift fallen to his lot.
What could it be? The fathers heart
was touched with the child's innocent
delight. "A little book? What is it,
papa?" he cried. The father looked
startled, and confused look of shame
covered his face. "A Testament, Will
lie." "What is Testament, papa?''
Goods Word" "Who is God?''
Here the man was startled anew; the
name had not crossed his lips for years.
1t was simple question; but the
child had to repeat it: "Who is God,
papaS"
!, " The maker of heaven and earth"
What! did he make all things?"
eyes, Willie"
ooh, what a great man he must be
3 Will you not read the story to mep"
The father paused, irresolute. Shoule
G he do it? Read to his son of the Goo
I who had removed from him the dear
5 est, aye, almost the only, object of hi;
t love? The child's pleading looks de
cided him. He turned to the sacred
page and read the simple story o.
= Christ's birth; the wise men following
the guiding star in the east; the wickes
. Herod, who would destroy his young
n life; the young lad questioning thu
a lawyers in the temple; the tender ant
simple parallels taught by the mai
;, Jesus; his holy and just dealings will
d the disciples; and last, his shameful be
= trayal and death on the cross.
:. When he finished, the little child b.
o his side was weeping.
It "Ob, papa, did that good man, Je
Il sus, die on the cross for you and me?'
eyes, Willie"
u "Then | mean to love him, dom
- your"
: The fathers heart was touched b
" the words, and they mingled their tear
"a together-the man who, for ten years
had denied the existence of his Make
70 and the child who had never befor
Ie heard the touching story of the cross.
c. "And a little child shall lead them.
IN BY this simple agency the hardene
III and in-stained heart of the father wa
k brought to the foot of the cross.
One morning, to Willie Gray in h
le Eastern home, came this little missivt
u TO the Little Boy Who Sent II
az Testament 10 My Little Boy: Ma
Ia Gods richest blessing ever rest upo
rs him. He has been his instrument
de bringing two souls to Jesus. He hi
a. made me confess the Savior whom
denied. He has filed my child's hea
90 with the peace of God. Thank &c
N, with us for his saving power. If OF
"a lives are spared, my son shall be traint
en- to proclaim the blessed truth of the go
'e- pei. Again / say, God bless Will
RI Gray"
- You cannot guess the joy that thrill'
i to the heart of Willie Gray that da
~' Humble and happy, he thanked CT
be for the spirit and love which promptt
him to send to the little boy in Il
West the testament purchased with b