The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-08
The Ore He Loved Best.

Freddie, whom do you love pest!,
"You- But, mamma dear, there's
somebody l love best"
. What, somebody you love better
than mamma?".
"Yes," answered Freddie, lingering
over the word, and looking earnestly,
at his mother with great blue eyes,
that seemed to ask her not to e e
hurt at his preference for another.
why, Freddie" she asked, who II
It that you love better than mamma?'
Jesus" was the unexpected reply
and the little boys voice was very
sweet as he spoke the name. Then
the mothers heart was very glad, fof
she had often talked with her little
ones about this Friend Of little chill"
dren, and she wanted them to love
Him best Of all.
One Sunday evening, about six
weeks later, Freddie's mother found
under her door a note which read
go at once to the hospital. Fred
erick Is very sick" She had seen hef
boy at noon and had been told that
he would undoubtedly get we'll. He
had been sick a couple of days, and
this was his first day in the hospital
With all possible speed she went to
the hospital and made her way to the
ward where her precious child waf
lying. How is he?" she inquired OF
. the doctor. HE is a very sick child.
was the grave answer. eDoes that
mean that he will not recover?" she
asked. THAT is what 1t means" the
doctor replied.
Turning at once. to the child, the
mother said, Freddie, do you remem,
Der telling mamma that you loVeG
Jesus best Of all?"
YES"
do you still love Him best?"
eyes" was the reply again, and h1s
tone indicated surprise that mamma
could think it possible that he hao
faltered in his allegiance.
do you want to go and live With
Him."
Yes, I do" and there was no mis-
taking the sincerity of the little child
"Well, darling" the mother saidt
trying to keep her voice bright q
cheerful, you are going to live W1tG
Him. He has sent for you, and you
are going tonight, and you will never
be sick or unhappy any more"
The child's face lighted up WITH
eager expectation. "Oh," he said
"He lives up in the sky, doesn't Hell
I want to go right straight up
Mamma" he said a few minutef
later, II want my shoes on; my feet
will get dirty" He would not soil
his feet in the weary ascent that he
thought was before him. NO
darling" his mother finally said
"your feet will not be dirty, for
mother will carry you and hand YOU
up to Jesus" Then he was afraid
that the ice-cap on his head m1ghl
leave some stain, or that there mlgnF
be some speck Of dirt on his racer
he must be perfectly clean Wnep'
Jesus saw him. His mother reast
sured him by telling him that he war
clean.
Then he would say, in a tired little
voice. 1T takes such a long time to
get up, doesn't it, mamma? I won,
der if He will let me in when I GET
up" "Of course He will let you IN
darling" his mother answered, FOL
He loves you and He has sent for you
TO come and live with Him."
Presently he asked his mother te
Tell his father to come and live with
Jesus. "And you must come. too
mamma" he added, in a voice that
was very bright and happy. Yes
dear, I will come, too"
For an hour there was no sounf
except that Of the labored breathin9
Of the little boy. Suddenly there wal
profound silence. The beautiful eyef-
flew open and the expression OF
rapturous delight, of wonder and awe
and perfect love and satisfaction
spoke in no uncertain tones to the
mothers heart and comforted her al
nothing else could have done, as snf
realized that her darling was FAC!
to face with the One whom he loVeo
best Of all.-Lulu Bliss Haldimandi
In the Christian Herald.