J U N I O R K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
aunt phoebe tells about
Harry, the Newsboy
by Martha S. H ooker
street, we found a quieter place to talk alone near the entrance to a large building. “Taking from his hand the little Gospel that was a bit crumpled from being carried in his pocket, I opened it to a verse we all love very much. I wonder whether either of you twins knows which verse I chose.” “ John 3:16,” chorused the twins in almost the same breath. “Yes, that was the very verse I chose for Harry. And standing there on the street, he read aloud that pre cious verse: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlast ing life.’ Then I asked him to read it again slowly. As he read ‘world,’ I stopped him to ask who he thought was meant by the ‘world.’ “ ‘Why, everybody in the whole world,’ he replied. “ ‘That’s right, Harry, and does that mean you?' “ ‘Yes, of course. I’m in the world,’ he answered quickly. “ ‘Now read that part of the verse again, Harry, showing that it means you.’ “ And he read, ‘For God so loved me.’ He stopped and looked up into my face as if to ask whether it were really true.
ry first five years ago on the corner selling papers. How shrilly he called out the name of the paper he sold! I seem to hear him now. Yes, I bought a paper from him, and as I gave him the money, I placed in his hand a small red book, the Gospel of John. “ This contains news, my boy,’ I said, ‘the most wonderful news a person ever heard. Take it and read it,’ I encouraged, as he looked at its red cover. ‘I’ll see you again soon,’ I added, as he had to turn to serve other customers. “ A week later I saw Harry again, and when he recognized me, he called out, ‘I’ve read it—the book you gave me—and He’s wonderful!’ “ ‘Who is wonderful, Laddie?’ I asked. “ ‘Oh, the One the book’s about ■— you know, ma’am — Jesus.’ “ ‘Yes, He is wonderful, and He loves you, and wants to be your Sav iour,’ I replied. ‘I should like to tell you more about Him, Harry. May I see you about an hour from now when this rush hour for selling your papers is over?’ I asked. “ ‘You sure can,’ he replied. ‘I want to know more about Him.’ “True to our agreement, I met him at the corner an hour later. He smiled his welcome as I drew near. Stepping aside from the passing crowds on the
B e t t y a n d B o b , the twins, were spending the winter in California with Aunt Phoebe. Aunt Phoebe was their favorite aunt, and they were both quite overjoyed when Mother said they were to stay with her while Mother and Father took a long, long trip across the ocean. There were m a n y interesting things to see and visit in California, and Betty and Bob enjoyed all to the full, but the times that they liked best of all were the times they sat about the fire that glowed in the grate in the evening as they listened to Aunt Phoebe while she told about “ her boys and girls.” No, Aunt Phoebe did not have any children of her very own, but she did have a large family “ in the Lord,” as she often said. Aunt Phoebe loved boys and girls, and she loved her Saviour. She spent her life telling boys and girls about her wonderful Saviour. “ Shall I tell you about Harry?” Aunt Phoebe questioned as the twins drew their chairs up close to hers one evening and begged for a story. “ Oh, yes!” they both answered. “We like to hear about real boys and girls, and especially if they are yours.” “Well, Harry is one of my boys all right, and what a fine lad he is!” continued Aunt Phoebe. “ I saw Har
*
“
>
*
THE KING'S BUSINESS
40
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker