Save the Little Ones by Sol.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1872

Save the Little Ones.

By Sol.

A FEW years ago, a steamer was coming from California. The cry of fire! fire! suddenly thrilled every heart. Every effort was made to stay the flames; but in vain. It soon became evident that the ship must be lost. The only thought now was self-preservation. The burning mass was headed for the shore which was not far off. A passenger was seen buckling his belt of gold around his waist, ready to plunge into the waves. Just then a pleading voice arrested him, “Please, sir, can you swim?” A child’s blue eyes were piercing into his deepest soul as he looked down upon her. “Yes, child, I can swim.” “Well, sir, won’t you please to save me?” “I cannot do both,” he thought. “I must save the child or lose the gold. But a moment ago I was anxious for all this ship’s company. Now, I am doubting whether I shall exchange a human life for paltry gold.” Unbuckling the belt, he cast it from him and said, “Yes, little girl, I will try to save you.” Stooping down, he bade her clasp her arms around his neck, “Thus, child, not so tight as to choke me. There, hang on now and I will try to make for the land.” The child bowed herself on his broad shoulders, and clung to her deliverer. With a heart thrice strengthened, and an arm thrice nerved, he struck out for the shore. Wave after wave washed over them, but still the brave man held out, and the dear child held on, until a mighty mountain billow swept the sweet treasure from his embrace, and cast him senseless on the bleak rocks. Kind hands ministered to him. Recovering his consciousness, the form of a dear child met his earliest gaze, bending over him with more than angel ministrations, and blessing him with mute but eloquent benedictions.

So, dear fellow-teachers and lovers of the little ones, let us bend our hearts to the burden of the precious souls of the children. Let us take them in the strong arms of our faith and prayers, and bear them up through the storms of life, and though the rude waves of sin may tear them from our grasp, yet who knows but by-and-by, when we get on the other shore, we may be welcomed by the little ones we have tried to save!—Sol.