Children’s Story

Children’s Story – Never Let Go

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Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father was working in the back yard and saw his son run out the back door toward the water. He looked down to what he was working on and when he looked up again toward the lake, to his horror, he saw the two as they got closer and closer to each other. In utter fear, he dropped everything and ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his father’s voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. But it was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.

Then began an incredible tug-of-war between the alligator and the father. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was not going to let his son be taken. Holding his son as tightly as he could he sent up a prayer to God for help and screamed for help. Just then a farmer drove by and heard his neighbor’s desperate cry. Racing from his truck with a gun in hand, he took careful aim and shot the alligator. The father was very happy to have his son back though he was badly hurt and was rushed to the hospital.

Remarkably, after several weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were badly scarred by the vicious attack of the alligator. His arms also were marred with deep scratches that were caused by his father’s fingernails that had dug into his flesh in the effort to hang on to the son he loved so much.

The little boy, being interviewed by a newspaper reporter after his traumatic incident, was asked if he would show the scars on his legs. As the boy lifted his pant legs, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my dad would not let me go. My dad loves me.”

That is how much Jesus loves you, and even more than that. In Daniel 3, the Bible records a story of three Hebrew men who would not let go of God. These men, who had been taken captive into Babylon, loved God and had dedicated their lives to Him as boys and refused to bow down to any other god. There were men who knew that the Hebrews were not doing as the king had said when commanded to bow down to the golden image that he had erected on the plain of Dura, so they went to the king and told him. King Nebuchadnezzar was insulted and very angry so he sent for the young men. As they were brought before him the king said, “Is it true, that you do not worship the golden image which I have set up? If you do not bow down, I will cast you into a burning fiery furnace” [verses 14, 15]. With respect, the three Hebrew men told the King that even if he threw them into the furnace they would not bow down to his golden statue, because they had decided to worship only the true God.

The king was furious! He told the guards to heat up the furnace seven times hotter than usual. Then he commanded the mightiest men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the fiery furnace. The guards did as they were told, but the fire was so hot that the guards were killed as they got close to the furnace. Then the most unusual thing happened! As the King looked into the furnace he was amazed at what he saw! There was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walking in the midst of the fiery furnace, unhurt! Not only did the King see the three Hebrew men, but also there was a fourth person walking around with them who he claimed looked like the Son of God! The only thing that had been burned were the ropes that had them bound. Wow! What a sight that must have been!

Just like that father who would not let his boy go to the alligator, God loved those three men so much that He did not let them get hurt by the fire.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13.

Children’s Story – He Could Have Been an Angel!

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Have you ever seen an angel in disguise or read a story about one? This story is what happened to us in a poor country called Bangladesh when we first arrived in the airport to be missionaries in a foreign country. It is important to be missionaries in our own home and town before going to another country as a missionary. Home is the school for missionaries. When God is in charge, thrilling things happen!

When we left America to fly to Bangladesh, we had lots and lots of luggage—in fact, over 300 pounds of luggage! We had gifts of clothing and shoes and many other things for the boys and girls in one of the orphanages in Bangladesh. We had our own luggage and also a piano accordion in a wooden box. People, who had gone to Bangladesh before, told us that this country was corrupt (very bad) and would try to get money from us for our extra luggage or even may take some of our bags from us. If this happened, it would be very sad for the orphans who needed the clothes and shoes we were taking for them.

At Dhaka (the biggest city in Bangladesh), when we had collected all of our bags from baggage claim, we looked at it and oh! It was such a big amount. Would the airport officials, dressed in their smart looking uniforms, let us take all this luggage past the check point and out of the airport? Here comes a man. He asks if all of this luggage is ours. After being told “yes,” he points towards the checkpoint and tells us to take it to the men in uniform for checking. We pushed our over-loaded carts toward the smartly dressed officials. What would happen when we got there? Would they want money? Would they take some of our bags from us? As I said before, when God is in charge, thrilling things happen, and God was in charge of what happened next.

We slowly pushed our two heavily laden carts towards the airport officials. Behind these men were the big glass exit doors to leave the building. As we came near to the officials, we noticed a group of people standing around them. We were going to wait in line, but suddenly we heard the voice of a man speaking in a commanding voice. I looked toward the voice and there stood a man much taller than the people around us. He was looking right at me over the heads of the group of people. He pointed toward me then moved his arm in a swinging motion toward the exit doors. Now pointing toward the exit doors he commanded us to “Go!” When I hesitated, he once again commanded us to “Go,” using the same hand motion. At this we quickly followed his instruction, walked past the people, past the airport officials and right through the big glass exit doors. It was as if we were invisible. No one looked at us or noticed us pass by. Soon we were out of the building, with all our precious cargo.

Do you think this man could have been an angel? Well, we believe it was either an angel or a man sent of God to protect us, and the bags that we carried. We know God was watching over us closely and were thrilled to be working with Him as missionaries in a foreign land. If you choose to be a missionary for Jesus, He will give you thrilling stories to tell others … maybe even a story about an angel!

Children’s Story – God and the Spider

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God can use anything He chooses to help us in times of need because He knows just what our needs are. We may wonder how a little spider can help, but with trust in God, that little spider can be a big help.

During World War 1, a United States marine was separated from his unit. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades and could not see them anywhere.

Alone in the hills, he heard some enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for a place to hide, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of those caves. He was safe for the moment, but shortly he realized that once the enemy soldiers who were looking for him climbed up the ridge, they would quickly search all of the caves, and they would be sure to find him.

As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, if it be Your will, please protect me. I accept whatever is Your will though, because I love You and trust You. Amen.”

After praying, he lay quietly, listening to the enemy beginning to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.” Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy soldiers who were searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

“Ha,” he laughed to himself. “What I need is a brick wall, and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”

As the enemy drew closer, he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. “Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man. “I had forgotten that in You a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is very easy to forget the victories that God willingly works in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. As the great leader, Nehemiah, reminded the people of Israel when they faced the task of rebuilding Jerusalem, “The God of heaven will give us success!” (Nehemiah 2:20 NIV.)

Remember, whatever is happening in your life, with God, a mere spider’s web can become a brick wall of protection. Believe He is always with you. Just speak His name through Jesus His Son, and you will see His great power and love in your life.

In I Samuel 24 is recorded a story about David, who also hid himself in a cave so King Saul would not find him. God is able to protect us in ways that we know not—so trust in Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6.

Children’s Story – A Plucky Boy

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The boy marched straight up to the counter. “Well, my little man,” said the merchant complacently (he had just risen from such a glorious good dinner), “what will you have today?”

“Oh, please, sir, mayn’t I do some work for you?”

It might have been the pleasant blue eyes that did it, for the man was not accustomed to parley with such small gentlemen, and Tommy wasn’t seven yet, and small of his age at that. There were a few wisps of hair along the edges of the merchant’s temples, and, looking down on the appealing face, the man pulled at them. When he had done tweaking them, he gave the ends of his cravat a brush, and then his hands traveled down to his vest pocket. “Do some work for me, eh? Well, now, about what sort of work might your small manship calculate to be able to perform? Why, you can’t look over the counter.”

“Oh, yes I can, and I am growing, please, growing fast; there, see if I can’t look over the counter!”

“Yes, by standing on your toes; are they coppered?”

“What, sir?”

“Why, your toes. Your mother could not keep you in shoes if they were not.”

“She can’t keep me in shoes anyhow, sir,” and the voice hesitated. The man took pains to look over the counter. It was too much for him; he couldn’t see the little toes. Then he went all the way around.

“I thought I should need a microscope,” he said very gravely, “but I reckon if I get close enough I can see what you look like.”

“I’m older than I’m big, sir,” was the neat rejoinder. “Folks say I’m very small of my age.”

“What might your age be, sir?” responded the man, with emphasis.

“I’m almost seven,” said Tommy, with a look calculated to impress even six feet nine. “You see, my mother hasn’t anybody but me, and this morning I saw her crying because she could not find five cents in her pocketbook, and she thinks the boy who took the ashes stole it—and—I—have—not—had—any—any breakfast, sir.” The voice again hesitated, and tears came to the blue eyes.

“I reckon I can help you to a breakfast, my little fellow,” said the man, feeling in his vest pocket. “There, will that quarter do?”

The boy shook his head. “Mother wouldn’t let me beg, sir,” was the simple answer.

“Humph! Where is your father?”

“We never heard of him, sir, after he went away. He was lost, sir, in the steamer Oily of Boston.”

“Ah! that’s bad. But you are a plucky little fellow, anyhow. Let me see,” and he puckered up his mouth, and looked straight down into the boy’s eyes, which were looking straight into his.

“Saunders,” he asked, addressing a clerk, who was rolling up and writing on parcels, “is Cashier No. 4 still sick?”

“Dead, sir; died last night,” was the low reply.

“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that! Well, here’s a youngster that can take his place.” Mr. Saunders looked up slowly, then put his pen behind his ear, then his glance traveled curiously from Tommy to Mr. Towers.

“Oh, I understand.” said the latter.

“Yes, he is small, very small, very small indeed, but I like his pluck. What did No. 4 get?”

“Three dollars, sir,” said the still astonished clerk.

“Put this boy down for four. There, youngster, give him your name, and run home and tell your mother you have got a place at $4.00 a week. Come back on Monday and I’ll tell you what to do. Here’s a dollar in advance; I’ll take it out of your first week. Can you remember?”

“Work, sir, work all the time?”

“As long as you deserve it, my man.”

Tommy shot out of that shop. If ever broken stairs that had a twist through the whole flight creaked and trembled under the weight of a small boy, or perhaps, as might be better stated, laughed and chuckled on account of a small boy’s good luck, those in that tenement house enjoyed themselves thoroughly that morning. “I’ve got it, mother! I’m took. I’m a cash boy! Don’t you know when they take parcels the clerks call, ‘Cash’? Well, I’m that. Four dollars a week! And the man said I had real pluck, courage, you know. And here’s a dollar for breakfast; and don’t you ever cry again, for I’m the man of the house now.”

The house was only a little 10 foot x 15 foot room, but how those blue eyes did magnify it! At first the mother looked confounded; then she looked—well, it passes my power to tell how she did look as she took him in her arms and hugged him and kissed him, the tears streaming down her cheeks. But they were tears of thankfulness.

The Signs of the Times, vol. 19, September 11, 1893.

Children’s Story – The Strange Mechanic

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Not long ago, Pastor Herbert and his wife made their fourth trip to Angola, Africa. This time Brother Marcial, who came from Angola, and his eight-year-old daughter, Pricilla, went with them. The people in Angola do not speak English. Instead they speak Portuguese, and so Brother Marcial had the important task of translating all of the sermons, leaders meetings, health presentations, counseling sessions, and discussions between the Herberts and the local people.

Angola is a very long way from where they all live in Georgia in the United States. It takes more than a whole day of flying on several different planes and waiting in between flights at different airports before reaching the final destination. Also, Angola is south of the equator, which means that for them it is winter in June and July. This story took place in August; so it was early spring in Angola.

For one of the weekends that they were in Angola, all four of them were scheduled to go to the south-central part of the country. This time they were to go by vehicle, which they were happy to do since they could see some of the countryside. They were to travel in two vehicles, each with a driver and an assistant. They were told that the drive would take between five and seven hours; well, it ended up taking twelve hours!

Right after a breakfast of warm soymilk, whole wheat bread, and bananas, they started out. It took a while to drive over the bumpy, dusty community roads to get to the main paved highway, and then it took a while longer to get out of the city. But finally they were driving through the countryside, looking at the scenery and the amazing fat baobab trees.

The part of the country they were going to is on a high plateau, and as the road ascended in elevation, they had to stop several times as one of the cars they were traveling in kept overheating. However, they did not mind too much because it gave them a chance to get out and stretch their legs and look around and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. One of the stops was at a busy market where oranges, date palm nuts, pineapples, fruit from the baobab, cassava, tomatoes, bananas, coconut, peanuts, and other produce were being sold. Late in the afternoon they stopped in a town for lunch, and then continued on.

About 15 minutes out of the town, one of the cars started to make noise. The driver stopped and soon discovered it was the CV (constant velocity) joint of the front wheel. Without this part working, that car could not make it to their destination. It was decided that the other car that was traveling with them should return to the town to see if they could find the needed part. It was already late in the afternoon and would be dark in a couple of hours and the vehicles travel very fast on this part of the road. But they were confident that the Lord would work something out.

Brother Marcial was in the car that returned to the town, and Pastor Herbert, his wife, and Pricilla, along with the driver and his assistant, waited with the broken down car. They waited perhaps half an hour along side the road, and Pricilla was enjoying herself gathering flowers and interesting looking seeds that were growing just off the road and showing them to the pastor and his wife. Then, after showing the fruits of her last venture, as they were standing behind the sick car, which was just barely pulled off to the side of the road, Pricilla just put out her hand to a passing car. The driver apparently thought that she was waving him down and he pulled over. The pastor’s wife asked Pricilla why she waved down the car, because the other car had already been sent back to the town for the part. She said she did not know why she did it.

The driver went to the car that pulled over, and he discovered that the driver was a mechanic! The mechanic got out of his car and looked at the problem, and he said that he had the needed part. He also said that the other car would not be successful in finding the part, and even if they did it would have to be “unlocked.” But he had the needed part in his car, already unlocked, and it was for the type of vehicle that was disabled. Can you believe it? Not only was this individual someone who knows how to fix cars, but also he had the exact part needed to fix the problem! When the pastor looked in the back of the mechanic’s car, there was almost nothing in his car: he just had a spare tire, two plastic bags of parts and pieces, and another bag of something that did not look like it had anything to do with fixing cars! He apparently did not have any other spare parts for cars, except the part they needed. The mechanic proceeded to work on the problem and after a couple of tries the replacement part was installed and the wheel put back on. Afterwards the mechanic said that this part of the road is very dangerous at night because a thick fog comes in and it is very hard for other drivers to see stopped cars. Also, he was not even really from Angola, but from the Congo.

By that time the sun had just set, and it was starting to get dark. Everyone got back into the cars to continue toward their destination. The mechanic followed them for about half an hour until he was convinced that the car would make it the remaining four hours to the town to which they were going. The next day the driver took the car into a repair shop, and the whole axle had to be replaced.

We certainly are thankful to the Lord for His care and providence. He worked through a little girl who did not know why she put out her hand, but it was not just to any car, but a car with a mechanic; and the only part the mechanic appeared to have with him was the exact part needed, and he wasn’t even from the country where this story happened. The pastor, his wife, Brother Marcial, and Pricilla did not know what a dangerous situation they were in, but the Lord had already provided the help. The Bible tells us, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.

Children’s Story – Finding My Cornet

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One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.”

“There’s one more piece, porter—a basket!”

“No, sir! Your ticket says eight pieces. That’s all you put in.”

“But the basket! It has my cornet in it, porter.”

“Well, I’m sorry for you, mister, but it isn’t usual to expect more out of a cloakroom than you put in. You’d better inform the police.”

“Then is it really truly lost?”

The awful truth that the porter’s statements were correct made me feel sick all over. No, stopping to think, I couldn’t remember seeing the basket when we got off the train in the morning. My cornet was lost!

Here we were on our way to the Burma meeting. The good pastor over there wanted some help with the music. But now it was gone. Gone! The cornet that had inspired the jungle band, and had played in a hundred villages—gone! I was surely disheartened.

I informed the police. I informed the station master. I searched the station and the lost luggage room. I asked every coolie within hearing distance if he had seen my basket. Not a soul had seen such a basket all day long. Neither had I. That was the whole trouble. The basket was lost, and my cornet was gone!

Lifelessly I put my eight pieces of luggage into the cart, and directed the driver to the mission house. I felt dejected. All at once the thought flashed into my mind, Why not pray? It was then just 3:30 in the afternoon. So right there, in that old cart rumbling off down the road, mingling with the thousand sounds and voices common to an Eastern street, I prayed.

I told the Lord that cornet was just as much His as it was mine. I told Him that it was just as good a preacher as I was. Then as we talked the situation over together, I dared to ask Him that if it could glorify His name, if it could benefit His cause, to please have it sent back that evening, as I wanted to take it to the meeting the next day.

Talking it all over with the Lord lifted my burden, and made me feel sure that God was now going to take matters into His hands. Maybe He would teach me a severe lesson. But I felt safe in the hands of the Lord, because He always works things out for our good. That’s what the Bible says (Romans 8:28). In this frame of mind, I completed the journey to the mission house, where my wife, sharing my disappointment and hope, helped me get things ready for the night.

While we were thus engaged, at five o’clock in the afternoon, there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and a total stranger stood before me with my basket in his hand! A friend of his, traveling in the ladies’ compartment with my wife, had by mistake taken it with her luggage. She had remembered my wife’s name, and in conversation had learned that we were Seventh-day Adventists. The stranger had quite a time finding us. First, he went to the church, then to the pastor’s home, then to the office, and finally to the mission house where we were staying. He declared that his friend had given him no peace till, at 3:30, he had started off in a cart to hunt us up.

But why did our friend wait till 3:30 before starting out to hunt us? Just what was it that made him start that afternoon at exactly 3:30?

Eagles, True Education Series, Eric B. Hare, adapted, 40, 41.

Children’s Story – God Chose One Weak

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Over 160 years ago, before there were any Seventh-day Adventists, something very wonderful and special happened. God’s true people had just experienced a bitter disappointment. They had studied their Bibles deeply and carefully and learned that Jesus was going to clean His sanctuary. These sincere Bible students thought the earth was the sanctuary to be cleansed. They thought it meant that Jesus was coming back to this earth, and they were so excited and happy. However, there was one problem. They did not understand what the sanctuary was or where it was. Jesus did not come to this earth as they expected. What a disappointment! Anyone who has ever looked forward to a very special visitor coming to visit, and they never arrive, can well understand the feeling. That is how it was for these people, only far worse. The special guest they had anticipated was Jesus, and He did not come, at least not in the way they had expected.

When Jesus did not return, many quit following Him. But there were some who remained true and were deeply troubled. They wondered where they had been mistaken. Jesus loved these people dearly. He knew their sincerity. So He did something extraordinary for His dear ones.

One day, as a young seventeen-year-old girl, Ellen Harmon was earnestly praying with four friends. They became alarmed when Ellen quit breathing and had no awareness of her surroundings. They soon noticed that though Ellen was not breathing, her pulse was regular, her skin was healthy looking, and her eyes were open and looking at something as though far off in the distance. They watched and waited. What they did not know at the time was that Ellen was experiencing a heavenly vision. God was showing and telling her special things.

When the vision was over, Ellen told her friends what she had seen. God had shown her the travels of His children on their way to the heavenly city. The friends were so happy and praised God for His goodness. Ellen herself was happy, thinking her duty done. However, one week later, the same angel visited her again and told her God wanted her to share with others what she had been shown.

At that time a group of believers were meeting in the home of Ellen’s parents for Bible study and prayer. The leader asked Ellen to tell the group what God had shown her. Now, Ellen became afraid. She was just a young girl and very weak as a result of a serious accident that had occurred when she was nine years old.

Because of her fear, like Jonah, she ran. On the day of the meeting she got into a sleigh and traveled four miles to the home of a friend. Alone, in an upstairs room she spent the entire day praying to be released from her duty. Finally, near evening, she surrendered to God’s will, promising to share what she had been shown. By the time she arrived home the meeting was over. But when they met again, Ellen faithfully related what God had shown her in vision. This brought great happiness and comfort to the faithful believers.

A few days later, Ellen’s father noticed she was still troubled. When questioned, she talked of how God had told her to share with others what she had seen. She wondered why the Lord had chosen someone weak, young, poor, and having no one with whom to travel. How could she do what the Lord asked? Who would arrange the meetings and how could the people ever hear her soft, hoarse voice. Besides, she felt that the people would only laugh at her.

As Ellen bemoaned the difficulties, feeling weak and frail indeed, her father tenderly spoke to her. “Ellen, if God has called you to do a work for Him, He will make you strong enough to do it, and He will open a way for you to begin. We will pray for you in our meeting tonight.”

That very night, as they prayed, God sent her fresh courage to do His work. She was willing to do anything, go anywhere, if she could only have the smile of Jesus on her.

Just a couple days later, Ellen’s brother-in-law came in a sleigh from 30 miles away, asking her to visit them. Ellen saw God’s hand opening the way to fulfill His call and gladly went. Though the air was icy and her breathing painful due to the cold, she was happy because she was obeying God’s will. When Ellen stood to speak, she tried for five minutes to share her vision, but her voice was so weak and hoarse that it could barely be heard. Suddenly, her voice rang out clear and loud. For two hours she shared about the travels of God’s people on their way to heaven, the second coming of Jesus and the glories of heaven. When she sat down, her voice became weak and hoarse again.

Many people wondered why the Lord chose someone so weak, so frail to do His work. But when they heard the miracle of her voice, they knew the message was from the Lord. They knew that God had strengthened her to give them evidence of His power and care for them.

For many years God worked through Ellen. Through her He sent many messages of hope, comfort, guidance, instruction, even warnings and reproof, always in love, to protect His people and lead them to the heavenly home with Him.

Story adapted from Stories of My Grandmother, by Ella M. Robinson, Review and Herald Publishing, Takoma Park, Maryland

Children’s Story – You Can’t Fool God

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During the early years of Adventism, there was much confusion of belief, many false ideas, and much fanaticism. Through Satan, many things were taught that were opposite to what Jesus and the Bible teach. God, because He loves us, sent a special messenger to help straighten out these false and fanatical beliefs. Her name was Ellen (Harmon) White.

This story recounts how two fanatical people tried to trick Ellen, to escape hearing God’s messages through her, and to keep others from hearing as well. But while they could have tricked Ellen, they could not trick God.

One day a man, Otis Nichols, from Dorchester, Massachusetts, visited the Harmon home. He asked that Ellen and Sarah, her sister, visit them. They wanted to hear about Ellen’s visions and, if possible, put an end to the fanatical teachings of two men living and preaching in their area.

When Mr. Nichols returned to his home in Dorchester, Ellen and Sarah went with him. Soon after arriving, two men knocked on the door on a business errand. Upon finishing their business, they asked Mr. Nichols if they could stay the night. Mr. Nichols, happy with the request, invited them in, explaining that they would get to meet and visit with the Harmon sisters.

Remarkably, the two men, Mr. Robbins and Mr. Sargent, quickly decided that they had urgent business that would prevent their staying the night. Disappointed, Mr. Nichols said, “Too bad, but you will have a chance to meet the sisters in Boston. We’re planning to bring Sister Ellen with us to speak to the company on Sabbath.” The two men said that was fine, and they would spread the word and meet them there.

That evening during family worship, God gave Ellen a vision, in which He told her that on Sabbath, rather than going to Boston as planned, she was to go to Randolph, about ten miles south of Boston.

Mr. Nichols was alarmed and protested, reminding her of all the people already notified and eagerly looking forward to hearing about her visions. Calmly she replied that she would do as God had bidden her and that He would make clear the reasons after their arrival in Randolph.

What Ellen, Sarah and Mr. Nichols did not know, but the Lord knew, was that upon leaving Mr. Nichols’ home, Mr. Robbins and Mr. Sargent, rather than keeping their word to spread the news of Miss Harmon speaking in Boston, had announced that there would be no meeting in Boston but that the meeting would instead be in Randolph.

Sabbath morning, eager men, women and children gathered at a believer’s home for worship. Happy in outwitting the Harmon sisters and Mr. Nichols, Mr. Sargent, who did most of the speaking, was sharing his fanatical views. He also told the people, “You have heard about those visions of Ellen Harmon. Don’t listen to them; they are of the devil.” As he was speaking, there was a knock on the door. Imagine the astonishment and dismay of the speaker and his colleague when in walked Ellen, Sarah and Mr. Nichols! Stopping in the middle of a sentence, Mr. Sargent turned to Mr. Robbins, requesting him to announce the closing hymn and stating that they would meet again after lunch.

Mealtime soon over, the people eagerly gathered again in the meeting room awaiting what would follow. During opening prayer, the Lord gave Ellen another vision. Nothing could have displeased the two fanatical preachers more. They knew that Ellen was against their strange teachings. Something, they thought, must be done to take the attention off Ellen and her vision. Mr. Robbins stood up and, announcing a hymn, began to sing, but few joined him. Mr. Sargent also attempted to distract the people. Picking up a Bible, he began reading in a loud voice. Someone from the audience requested, “Will you please stop singing and reading. We want to hear what Sister Ellen is saying.”

Desperate to distract, they continued shouting and singing until both were hoarse and so shaky that they could scarcely hold their books. During that time, Ellen’s voice “rang out clear and distinct. Every word could be heard.” All could see that she was under God’s control. They noticed her dignified manner. They noticed, to their shock, that she was not breathing, even when she spoke. They recognized that the words she spoke, far from being of the devil, were words full of encouragement, light and truth.

Mr. Thayer, who owned the home where the meeting took place, stood up. He said, “I have been told that visions which come from Satan can be stopped by laying an open Bible on the person having the vision. Mr. Sargent, will you make this test?”

“I will not!” was the reply.

At that point Ellen was sitting in a chair resting comfortably against the wall. Mr. Thayer, picking up a large family Bible, approached Ellen and placed the Bible on her chest. Immediately she lifted that heavy Bible over her head in one hand and proclaimed, “The inspired testimony from God!”

For an entire hour she held that heavy Bible above her head with one hand and, while speaking, turned the pages with her other hand, pointing at the pages.

Someone exclaimed, “Let’s see if she is pointing at, and quoting the texts correctly!” With eager anticipation someone brought a chair. One at a time different people climbed up on that chair to see, exclaiming in astonishment, “Sister Ellen is turning the pages and pointing her finger at the very texts she is using. Without looking, she is quoting correctly!” As the vision was about to close, nearly four hours later, Ellen began sharing scenes relating to the punishment of the wicked. Mr. Sargent and Mr. Robbins became troubled and silent. The hushed audience waited, hoping and praying. Would they confess? Sadly, they did not. But did they fool God? Not for a moment. God knew all along and in His love and providence brought true light to those who sincerely love Him.

Story adapted from Stories of My Grandmother, by Ella M. Robinson, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Children’s Story – All Comes From Above

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In a humble cottage in France, a poor godly man was dying. Calling his only son to him, he said, “My dear little Pierre, you will soon be left alone, and many troubles will come to you in this world; but always remember that all comes from above; then you will find it easy to bear everything with patience.”

Shortly after this, the poor man died, and little Pierre found himself quite alone in the world. The only thing he could do for a living was to go out and beg. As he went from door to door in the villages, he would sing for the people receiving from them just enough to keep him alive. Every time anybody gave him some food or money, he would say, “It comes from above,” remembering his father’s last words. It became a habit with him to use these words whatever happened to him, and he found that they did indeed help him to bear everything with patience.

One day, as he was passing through a village, a sudden gust of wind blew a tile of the roof of a nearby house. It struck Pierre on the shoulder, knocking him to the ground.

“It comes from above,” were his first words as he got back on his feet. But, as you can image, the people standing around nearby, laughed heartily.

A minute later, however, another gust of wind tore off the entire roof of a cottage a little farther down the street. Had little Pierre gone on, he might have been killed by it. So he thought to himself that the tile that had struck and hurt him had indeed “come from above” in more senses than one.

On another occasion, little Pierre was employed by a wealthy gentleman to carry an important letter to a businessman in a neighboring town. As he was told to be quick, Pierre ran as fast as he could. Coming to a stream, he tried to jump over it, but, he fell in and was nearly drowned. When he finally climbed out onto the bank drenched and weary, he found that the precious letter had disappeared. He tried, but could not find it anywhere in the muddy water. “It comes from above,” he murmured to himself as he sadly made his way back to the rich gentleman’s house.

Naturally enough, the gentleman was very angry with him. In fact, he drove him out of his house. But all Pierre could say was, “It comes from above.”

The next day, however, the gentleman sent for him. “Your falling into that stream was a fortunate accident for me,” he said. “Circumstances have changed overnight. If that letter had been delivered, I should have been involved in serious loss. Please accept this little gift as a token of my gratitude.” And the gentleman put more money in little Pierre’s hand than he had seen in a long time.

“It comes from above,” he said, as he went down the steps smiling.

And so Pierre grew up always believing that the hand of God was ordering his life, confident that, as it says in Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God.” One day he, too, became a successful businessman.

We too should have such a faith in our heavenly Father. It will save us much needless sorrow and discouragement, and will fill our hearts with a quiet peace and confidence to bear everything with patience, as we remember that, “all comes from above.” Try it for yourself and see how God can work in your life!

Children’s Story – Ellen Meets James

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Ellen Harmon was just a teenager when God called her to serve Him. After much anguish and prayer, she accepted that call, dedicating her entire life and will to God. As His chosen servant, she didn’t want to do anything outside of His will. Though she was weak and often ill, due to a tragic accident, when she was nine, whenever God told her to do something, she obeyed. Often she had no idea how she could obey, but with complete trust in God she did His bidding and He always gave her the strength to fulfill His command.

Ellen had no thought of marriage during these early years. Convinced that Jesus was coming soon, she devoted all her time and energy to preparing herself and spreading the good news to others. She felt that there was no time for marriage. So, unwed, Ellen prayed, obeyed, and traveled for God.

Well, God had a wonderful surprise in store for Ellen. One day she was invited by a neighbor and his sister to travel with them to Orrington, Maine, a town one hundred fifty miles away. This neighbor, William Jordan, had borrowed a horse and sleigh and needed to return them to their owner, a minister named James White. Elder White was having trouble with some people caught up with fanaticism, and William hoped that if Ellen accompanied them she might help them overcome their fanaticism.

How Ellen struggled. Was it really her duty to go? As she earnestly prayed for God’s guidance, she was convinced that He wanted her to go. Soon the three were gliding over the snow on their way to Orrington, James White, and the fanatics. What a time was in store for them! After a journey requiring nearly two days they arrived tired, ready for a good night’s rest. Ellen barely noticed the young minister to whom she was introduced.

The next morning after worship, Elder White and his visitors decided to visit a family living near town. Upon arriving, they were surprised to find several other sleighs in the yard. They inquired, “Are you having a meeting today?”

“No,” came the reply, “several people have simply shown up at the same time.” Ellen remembered God’s promise that He would prepare the way for her to share His messages.

Those present were invited to hear Sister Ellen speak. As she stood to speak, a shout of “Glory Alleluia” was heard. People began clapping their hands, shouting, and jumping up and down. Ellen was dismayed. Earnestly she asked if anywhere in the Bible Jesus and His disciples behaved in this way, and she reminded them that He was their example. Then James shared from the Bible that God is a God of order and not confusion and that He speaks in “a still small voice” [1 Kings 19:12]. He told them that it was Satan leading them to behave like they were so the neighbors would be turned away from God’s truth.

From that home they visited other families and companies. They sometimes met with strange ideas, and always Ellen and James would share truth from the word of God. At one time they arrived after the meeting was started. Someone inside saw them coming and quickly went to the door and locked it. But, “In the name of the Lord,” Ellen opened that locked door and entered. What a scene met their astonished eyes. On the floor lay a woman crying pitifully. She was warning the others not to listen to or believe Ellen Harmon or her visions. Trusting in God, Ellen knelt by her side and commanded the evil spirit to leave the woman. Quietly the woman stood up and sat down. With no further disturbance Ellen spoke to the gathered company of Jesus who calls His followers to be good, pure and sensible.

Day after day they traveled, visiting homes, sharing God’s message and rebuking the fanatical beliefs being taught. In many places peace was being disturbed and God’s message damaged by noisy, rowdy, pretended Christians. Neighbors in one place had even complained to the police. At another town, two guards were posted to prevent any preacher from holding meetings. As the messengers of God approached this place, they prayed earnestly for the Lord to shield them as they passed the guards. Quietly they glided right past. It was as if God had blinded the guards to the sleigh carrying His servants.

As time passed the fanatical ones were rebuked and quieted. The meetings became quiet and happy. At their last meeting in Orrington, God gave Ellen a vision telling her to leave quickly, that her work there was done. Though the meetings were quiet, spies had been tracking them, and they were in danger.

Early the next morning, Ellen, Jordan and his sister left. They later learned that officers had gone to James’ home searching for him. James and a friend were arrested, whipped and thrown into jail. They were accused of being part of the noisy disturbances.

James, in thinking of their travels and troubles, worried about Ellen, young, weak and alone. But not a thought entered his head that one day he would be a lawful protector and companion to her. But indeed that is exactly what happened. James asked Ellen to be his life companion. He felt that together they would be a stronger witness for the Lord. “Besides,” he exclaimed, “I love you. I’ve been praying about this.”

Ellen, though she respected and admired this earnest Christian, wanted only the Lord’s will. “James, I also will pray that the Lord may make His will known to us.” Quietly and patiently they asked the Lord’s guidance in this most important decision. To their joy, they recognized the Holy Spirit guiding them to join their lives in God’s service. When they were certain that it was God’s will, and not until then, they were married.

There was no fancy wedding. There is no record of invitations, bridesmaids, or even a wedding gown. No, there was important work to be done. Every penny was needed for telling the world of Jesus’ soon return. In harmony with God and with one another, theirs was indeed a blessed and happy union, as will be all unions where God’s will reigns.