At length the boy was three years old. His eyes were full of intelligence, and he seemed to understand everything around him. The God-fearing habits of his parents had a great influence over him. At family prayer the mother held the little one on her lap, his hands clasped together, and when the father asked a blessing on their frugal meal, the little child would also stand behind his stool, and would never taste a morsel before it was asked.
It was advised that the boy be placed under the care of a famous physician in a neighbouring town. The father would leave untried nothing possible for the welfare of his boy, and so very soon set out on his journey. The sun was already set when they reached their destination.
Then the father took the boy's hand, and they went together to a relative's who lived in the town. But what a different home from that which the boy had left: the relative did not believe in the Word of God, but only thought of pleasure and doing according to his own wisdom. So long as the father was with him the child was content. He would not move from his side, and at night slept locked in his arms. But the father could not stay long; pressing business compelled his return home. His departure was very sorrowful for the child, and the father felt it no less.
At length the dinner time came. All was prepared, and the family gathered round the table, and with a good appetite began the meal. But the dumb child sat not; he stood behind his chair and waited. The others told him to sit and eat, but he understood not. His lips were speechless, but he made signs that they should pray. The people understood him, but would not show they did. Then the child ran to each, and, with a supplicating look, tried to clasp their hands together. A feeling of shame came over them. They wished to quiet him, but dared not try. Should they pray? They had never done it, but the child waited. At length the wife stood up, then the husband, and then all the others, for they did not know what else to do, and the wife prayed, with trembling voice, "Lord Jesus, come to our meal and bless it, and grant us Thy mercy."
Thus did the dumb child become a holy messenger, and, though he was speechless, witness for God where He was entirely forgotten.
But how was it with the child? Was his coming so far any use? Was he cured? No; the doctor could do nothing for him, and he remains speechless still. But later he attended a deaf and dumb institution, where he learnt reading, writing, and arithmetic, and many other useful things. Above all, he has learnt to know for himself the Lord Jesus, and to be resigned to the affliction God has laid upon him. He still lives, and is a God-fearing young man, and the joy of his old parents. He has learnt the trade of bookbinding, and can well support himself. Speaking with his sister of the old times, he said in the deaf and dumb language, smiling, "Ah, God has made me deaf and dumb that I should preach of the holy Jesus."
