THE INVALID IN A COUNTRY COTTAGE.

 

 

 

 

One fine summer evening I paid a visit to a certain country cottage, and there saw a poor sick girl recovering from her illness. But I am going to tell you about a few things I noticed as I sat in the cheery living room of that nice little home.

 

First let me say that this cottage is not very attractive outside. It is not the kind of cottage that artists love to paint, with a thatched roof, or picturesque gables and timber-work, surrounded by a shady, old – fashioned garden. The cottage I am writing about is of plain red brick, and the garden, though quite tidy, can hardly be called pretty.  It was the inside, not the outside of the cottage, that interested me.

 

In 1 Samuel 16: 7, we read, “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”  God does not look to see if we have pretty faces or fine clothes, but He looks into our hearts and longs to see there what is “pleasing in His sight.”

 

There were four things specially attractive in that cottage living room, and I think they will speak to us of some things that should be in the heart of every boy and girl who wants to shine for Jesus and attract others to Him.  Let us make these things all begin with a capital C, then they will be easy to remember.

 

  1. Cleanliness.  From floor to ceiling everything was spotless, for the room is regularly swept, cleaned, and dusted.  We all need to pray that little prayer of David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm. 51.10). There is only one way in which our hearts can be made clean-by being washed in the precious Blood of Christ.  Then if we daily “walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,” we shall be safe, knowing that “the Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin” (1John 1:7,9).
  2. A  Coal Fire was burning brightly in the cottage grate, and this reminds us of the warm love and living power with which God wants to fill our hearts and lives. When we are saved we must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will make our hearts glow with love to the Lord Jesus, and so strengthen us that we shall no longer live unto ourselves, “but unto Him who died for us and rose again” (2 Corinthians. 5:14,15).
  3.  A Contented Cat lay fast asleep on a stool in the chimney corner.  Though the sun was shining outside, Master Tabby preferred to rest on his quiet bed near the fire.  We all need rest for our souls, and only Christ can give us this (Matthew.11:28-30). The pleasures and excitements of the world never bring real peace or satisfaction. But every one who loves the Lord can truly sing:

“Now none but Christ can satisfy,

                                                            None other name for me;

                                                            There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,

                                                            Lord Jesus, found in Thee.”

      4,   A Calendar was hanging in the cottage, and on the date-block were these beautiful words: ”Fear not:….be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things” ( Joel 2:21)). For every day of the present year let us make the Bible our daily guide, and be like the Psalmist who said; ”Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm.119:11)

 

God will indeed do great things for us and through us if we yield our hearts to Him. Cleansed by “the precious Blood,” filled with love and with the Holy Spirit’s power, finding full satisfaction in Christ, by lip and life we shall witness for our Master.  Boys and girls who read these lines, may this be your happy experience. Then will you, and many others, through your influence, be able to say, “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad” (Psalm. 126:3).