Marvin Killian was a six-year-old English lad whose parents lived in an impoverished section of London, England. During a bleak, chilly winter, both of his parents died of pneumonia, and the young boy was left alone. His only relative was an aunt who lived in the far away city of Liverpool. Kind people of the neighborhood purchased a railway ticket and packed all of his earthly belongings in one small bag, before placing him on the train.
Arriving in Liverpool just before dark, the lad was hungry, tired and very apprehensive. He expected his aunt to meet him, but a servant named Caesar came riding upon a great black horse. Caesar helped him up on the horse, and they started off. Anxiously, the lad asked Caesar if his aunt would already be gone to bed when they arrived at her house. “Oh! No, Sir!” Caesar answered. “In a little way you’ll see her candles in the distance, burning for you.” Surely enough, there it was!
When they reached the house, Marvin saw his lovely aunt standing beside the gate, waiting for him. When Caesar helped him to the ground, she ran to him, embraced him and smothered him with her kisses. Taking him inside, she washed his face and hands, and sat him down to a warm supper of beef stew and bread pudding. She drew him a warm bath and helped him get into his pajamas. She knelt with him as he said his prayers, and sitting beside his bed, she held his hand until he fell asleep. She loved and cared for him through his adolescent years and guided his spiritual growth with daily Bible readings and regular attendance at church services. Later, she sent him to a prestigious college, where he graduated with honors. Later, Marvin moved to a distant city to begin a prosperous job. He and his aunt were in constant contact throughout all the ensuing years, and their love for each other grew with every passing day.
One fateful evening, a red cap brought him a telegram, which simply said, “Your aunt is gravely ill! Come quickly!” His return telegram read, “Will be there ASAP. Meantime, do not be afraid. I know God loves you, and He will be just as kind and loving to you as you were to me so long ago, and throughout the years that followed. Much love and best wishes. Marvin.” The following passages from the Bible seem appropriate and applicable. “…and with what measure ye mete, it shall he measured to you again” (Matthew 7:2). “…whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, …he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). What greater epitaph could be etched in our tombstone than what was said of righteous Abel? “…he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).
Dr. E.M. Poteat, one time President of Furman University (in Greenville, South Carolina), spoke this to a class one day. “Carve your name high o’er shifting sand, Where the steadfast rocks defy decay: All you can hold in your cold, dead hand, Is what you have given away.” Do you have aught that you can hold onto, like Marvin Killian, above? What about “Hope” after life?
