(HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED.)
WESTWOOD,
NORWOOD, 30th March, 1891.
TO GEORGE JOHN GRANT.—DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,—I am anxious that the little ones should be saved. I heard a number of ministers pray for their dear boys and girls; and after they had done I said to myself, “I will write a letter to their children, and try to make them think about Jesus.” What a joy it would be if you, dear George, were, while yet a child, to be saved by the Lord Jesus! He can wash away sin, and by His Holy Spirit He can change the heart, and He can do it quite as easily in the young as in the grown-up people. If we seek salvation by Jesus Christ, God will give it. In the Bible we are told to believe, that is, trust. We trust Jesus to save us, and He does save us. I want you to trust Him now.
I hope you will have a long and useful life; and trust in Christ will be the sure way to help you year by year to live happily. But you may die while yet young, and then, through faith in Jesus, you will enter heaven to be glorified with the Lord for ever.
“They that seek me early shall find me.” That is the text for you. I hope you will seek at once, and find Jesus at once. I
may never see you here, but I hope I shall meet you and your dear parents in the land of the blessed.—Yours, with my best wishes,
(Signed) C. H. SPURGEON.
Lord, save my little friend.—C. H. S.
WESTWOOD,
NORWOOD, 30th March, 1891.
MY DEAR KATIE GRANT,—I was a little while ago at a meeting for prayer where a large number of ministers were gathered together. The subject of prayer was, “Our children.” It soon brought the tears to my eyes to hear those good fathers pleading with God for their sons and daughters. As they went on entreating the Lord to save their families, my heart seemed ready to burst with strong desire that it might be even so. Then I thought, I will write to those sons and daughters, and remind them of their parents’ prayers.
Dear Katie, you are highly privileged in having parents who pray for you. Your name is known in the courts of heaven. Your case has been laid before the throne of God.
Do you not pray for yourself? If you do not do so, why not? If other people value your soul, can it be right for you to neglect it? All the entreaties and wrestlings of your father will not save you if you never seek the Lord yourself. You know this. You do not intend to cause grief to dear mother and father: but you do. So long as you are not saved, they can never rest. However obedient and sweet and kind you may be, they will never feel happy about you until you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and so find everlasting salvation. Think of this. Remember how much you have already sinned, and none can wash you but Jesus. When you grow up you may become very sinful, and none can change your nature and make you holy but the Lord Jesus, through His Spirit.
You need what father and mother seek for you, and you need it now. Why not seek it at once? I heard a father pray, “Lord, save our children, and save them young.” It is never too soon to be safe; never too soon to be happy; never too soon to be holy. Jesus loves to receive the very young ones. You cannot save yourself, but the great Lord Jesus can save you. Ask Him to do it. “He that asketh receiveth.” Then trust in Jesus to save you. He can do it, for He died and rose again, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. Come and tell Jesus you have sinned; seek forgiveness; trust in Him for it, and be sure that you are saved. Then imitate our Lord. Be at home what Jesus was in Nazareth. Yours will be a happy home, and your dear father and mother will feel that the dearest wish of their hearts has been granted them.
I pray you to think of heaven and hell, for in one of those places you will live for ever. Meet me in heaven! Meet me at once at the Mercy-seat. Run upstairs and pray to the Great Father, through Jesus Christ.—Yours very lovingly,
(Signed) C. H. SPURGEON.