Soldiers of the Great King
by Mary Wingfield Bell

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Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4	Chapter 5	Chapter 6
Chapter 7	Chapter 8	Chapter 9	Chapter 10	Chapter 11	Chapter 12

CHAPTER 9

 

The Ruddenberrys were most thankful for help they received and were pleased that the boys and girls came bringing them gifts.  When the baby was two weeks old, the parents had him baptized in the Methodist Church.  The other children were also baptized.  Mr. Ruddenberry had asked Jesus to live in his heart.  He would serve the great king.  His wife already knew the great king.  It was a happy family that joined the family of God at the Methodist Church.

 

Janet was glad that the family the soldiers of the king had helped was attending church.  She wanted everyone to know Jesus and go to church.

 

“I like the Ruddenberry family,” joined Maria.  “But the mother has her hands full with six little ones.  I thought we had a large family.  Now I know there are many larger families.  Your family is very small, just you and your mother.”

 

“Sometimes I wish there were more in our family,” said Janet.  “Half of our family lives in Heaven, so there is just Manie and me.”

 

“Do you have to do homework tonight?” asked Maria.  “I have to write a composition.  I don’t know what to write about.”

 

“Why don’t you write about your family?” said Janet.  “I just have to make sentences with my spelling words.”

 

“Writing about my family is a good idea,” said Maria.  “I can tell what each one is like and what they most like to do.  I can write a lot about my father and mother.”

 

“It will be interesting to read what you say about your father.”

 

“See you later,” said Maria going into her own yard.

 

“Come over tonight and do your homework.”

 

“Hi dear,” said Mrs. Cubber to Janet as she came into the kitchen.  “I received a letter from my cousin Althea.  She is going into the hospital for six weeks and she is sending her daughter Viola here to stay with us until she can be home again.”

 

“Who is bringing Viola?” asked Janet.  “It might be fun having another girl in the house.”

 

“I have no idea what Viola is like but I hope there will be no problems with her.  Her mother being sick might cause her to be unhappy.  We must do what we can to make her feel comfortable while she is here.

 

Next morning Manie and her daughter went to the bus station to meet Viola.

 

“There she is,” said Janet’s mother.  “The girl hugging her stuffed dog looks as if she is not afraid of us.”

 

“Hello, Viola,” said Mrs. Cubber.  “I am your mother’s first cousin.  Come along, dear.  You will stay with us until your mother is well enough to be home again.”

 

“Coming here was not my idea,” said Viola.  “I could have stayed at home by myself.”

 

“You are too young to be staying by yourself,” said Manie.  “And you have Janet here to keep you company.”

 

Viola was six months older than Janet, but she thought she was mature enough to stay at home alone.

 

“Where will I sleep?” asked Viola as she was in the house.

 

“Janet will share her bed with you,” said Mrs. Cubber.  “Put your bag down there by the chest and do feel at home.  We want you to be comfortable here.”

 

“How can I feel comfortable in a strange place?” said Viola.  “It is not as nice here as our apartment.”

 

“You can choose to be content here,” said Janet’s mother.  “It’s what one does when he finds himself sharing that can make a difference.  While you are here you will do as I tell you.  We want you to be happy but you have to make yourself fit in.”

 

Janet wasn’t sure that she would like Viola.  Already Viola was complaining as soon as she arrived.  I wish she had not come thought Janet.  Manie and I have good times together.  Will Viola ruin our fun?

 

Next day Viola went to school with Janet.  She was a grade ahead of Janet.  Janet was glad of that.  She did not want Viola watching her work in school.

 

“You are a grade behind,” said Viola.  “You should be in the same grade as I am.”

 

“I am not behind,” said Janet.  “I have been promoted each year since I started to school.”

 

Maria walked home with Janet and Viola.  Viola moved to Maria’s side, pushing Janet off the sidewalk.

 

“You can walk behind,” said Viola.  “You are behind in school anyway.”

 

Janet was silent.  She was not sure what King Jesus wanted her to do in this situation.  I will pray more she thought.  Viola does not know the king.  If she knew Jesus she would not act this way.  She would be nice.

 

That evening Janet told her cousin that Jesus loved her and He wanted her to be happy.

 

“Jesus does not love me,” said Viola.  “If he loved me my mother would not be sick and I would not be here in this old house.  It’s not half as pretty as our apartment.”

 

“This is a good house,” said Mrs. Cubber.  We stay nice and warm here.  It does fine for Janet and me.  You should be thankful you don’t have to stay out in the cold.

 

“I didn’t want to leave our apartment,” said Viola.  “It is nice and warm, too.”

 

“Dear, try to be cheerful,” said Janet’s mother.  “We do not want complaining in this house.  We want a peaceful house.”

 

Janet did not say much to her cousin.  She did not know how to talk to her.  Viola was difficult to get along with but when Janet knelt to pray she asked God to bless Viola and make her happy.  And she prayed: “Please make Viola’s mother well.  Let Cousin Marty be well so Viola can go back to her own apartment.  She doesn’t like being here.”

 

“You don’t want me here,” said Viola to Janet as Janet crawled into bed.  “You don’t like me, do you?”

 

“Viola, I want to like you,” said Janet.  “But it is hard to like you when you fret so much.”

 

“Don’t take all the cover, Janet,” said her cousin.  “My feet are cold.”

 

“You have plenty cover,” returned Janet.  “Your feet will get warm.”

 

In the night Janet awoke to hear her cousin crying.  Not knowing what to say, Janet put her arm around Viola’s shoulder.  Soon both girls were asleep.

 

In the morning Viola was very quiet at the breakfast table.  There was no complaining, not one word of grumbling.  Janet thought that maybe Viola would be a better person.

 

Maria came to the door.  “Are you ready to go to school?” she asked.

 

“Almost,” said Janet getting her books and kissing Manie.

 

The three girls left Janet’s house.

 

“I have a jump rope,” said Maria.  “We can jump while we wait for the first bell to ring.”

 

“I never jump rope,” said Viola.  “But I do roller skate.”

 

“We can’t take skates to school,” said Janet.  “I will jump to a 100.”

 

“How can you be sure,” asked Maria.  “Everyone misses sometime.”

 

“I won’t,” promised Viola.  “I got to be good if I am going to play.”

 

The girls did not jump rope.  The bell rang just as they entered the school yard.

 

“I didn’t want to jump anyway,” said Viola.  “Skating is a lot more fun.”

 

Janet tried to stay in a pleasant mood but Viola’s words disturbed her.  There were times when Janet wished that Viola had not come to stay in her house.

 

It was Saturday again and time for another meeting of the king’s soldiers.

 

“Viola, we are going to a meeting,” said Janet.  “Soldiers of the king meet today.”

 

“Whatever is that?” asked her cousin.

 

“It is a group of children who love and work for King Jesus,” informed Janet.  “We have lots of fun and we do work for the king.”

 

“How could you work for Jesus?” asked Viola.  “He lives in Heaven and you are on earth.”

 

“King Jesus, our saviour, lives in our hearts and we are always happy to work for him.  When we help people who need help we are doing it for the king.  That makes us feel good and we know he is happy because we give our best time of work for him.”

 

“Well, I never heard of such doings,” returned Viola.  “I wonder if I could ever do work for him.”

 

“Certainly,” said Janet.  “Anyone can work for the great king.”

 

“I’ll go see what this meeting is about,” said the cousin.  “I hope I won’t be wasting my time.”

 

“Do you know a bible verse?” asked Janet.  “We always say bible verses.”

 

“One that my mother says, ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible,’ “ offered Viola.

 

“That’s a good one,” said Janet.  “Say it when the children are asked to give bible verses.”

 

The boys and girls met in the newly painted classroom of the Methodist Church.  The pretty curtains Lorena made brightened the room and now it was a cheerful looking place to have a meeting.

 

Most of the king’s soldiers were present.  Richard was the leader for the day.

 

“I thought we could each tell what we like best about being a soldier of the king,” he said.  “Who wants to talk first?”

 

“I like being a soldier best because I can tell others how to know King Jesus,” said Elmer.  “I can tell them how Jesus can save them.”

 

“I really enjoyed the trip we took to Grandest View,” said Donald.  “And the chance I had to tell Ernest about our saviour and king.  I am sure he is learning all he can about Jesus.  I love to tell others about the great king we know.”  Donald was still happy about the trip the children took to the church in Grandest View.

 

“I like being a soldier for Jesus,” said Lorena, “Because he took care of me when I had to be alone at night.  I was so lonely after my mother died but Jesus sent Aunt Ruth to live with me when my father had to be away.”

 

“I like being a soldier for King Jesus,” said Dalthea, “Because Jesus is good to me and I love him because he loves me.  I never was happy until I asked Jesus to come into my heart.  He is my saviour and king.”

 

“I like being a soldier of the king,” said Maria.  “I have learned ways to help people and I know that helping people makes the king glad.  Jesus is a great wonderful king.  I, too, love him very much.”

 

“I love Jesus,” said little Joy.  “I made a woman happy when I helped Janet clean her yard.  She gave me a pretty little cup.”

 

“It’s fun being the great king’s soldier,” said Trilby.  “It was fun painting for him.  I think work is easy when I do it for King Jesus.  Yes, he is the greatest king of all.”

 

I haven’t known the king very long,” said James, “But things got better at my house since I took Jesus into my heart.  He is the best King.”

 

“I am reading the bible now,” said Myrtle.  “I find it interesting since Jesus came to live inside of me.  He is what I always needed.  Now I am happy.”

 

“I am a good boy,” said Tim.  “King Jesus wants me to be good.”

 

“I have been a happy woman since Jesus came to live in me,” said Mrs. Cho.  “Buddha never did make me happy.  Now I stay happy with King Jesus.”

 

“I have had fun working with all of you,” said Janet, “and I had a good time on the trip to Grandest View.  I like being a soldier for Jesus and I like telling people about him and how he can make them happy.  Jesus is the greatest and most wonderful king that ever was.  I love Jesus.”

 

Viola sat quietly, listening to what each child had to say.  She had never seen children so happy before and it was all because of their love for Jesus.  Oh that I could feel like these girls and boys she thought.

 

“I see we have a visitor,” said Richard.  “Would you like to say something?  Tell us your name.”

 

“My name is Viola,” said the girl.  “I am Janet’s cousin.  I know about Jesus.  I have heard stories about him but I do not have him in my heart.  I am not so happy as you young’uns.  I want to know Jesus the way you do.”

 

“Well, I’ll tell you how to know Jesus,” said Richard.  “It is simple.  Just pray after I pray: Jesus, forgive my sins and come live in my heart.”

 

Viola repeated the prayer and she then had Jesus in her heart.  It is good,” she said.  “Now I can be happy when my mother is well again.”

 

“We will pray for your mother to get well,” said the leader.  “Are there any other requests for prayer?”

 

“Aunt Ruth has a bad sore throat.” said Lorena.  “She can hardly talk.”

 

“Trilby, pray for Lorena’s aunt to get rid of her sore throat,” said Richard.  “I will pray for Viola’s mother to be well again.”

 

“Just a minute,” said Dalthea.  “Pray for Katie Oaks.”

 

“Dalthea, you pray for your friend, Katie,” said Richard.  “You know we have already prayed for her.”

 

“I will keep on praying,” said Dalthea.  “I want her to be like the rest of us.”

 

Trilby prayed: “Oh God, please heal Lorena’s Aunt Ruth so she can talk again.  Thank you for hearing my prayer.”

 

Dalthea prayed: “Dear God, please make Katie like the rest of us.  We know you can fix her slow brain.  Thank you.”

 

Richard prayed: “God we know you hear us when we pray so I am asking you to heal Viola’s sick mother so Viola will be happy and her mother well again.”

 

“It’s time for bible verses,” said Richard. “Who will be first?”

 

“I will,” said Dalthea.  “Oh Lord our God how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens.  Psalm 8:11.”

 

“Depart from evil and do good; and dwell forever more.  Psalm 37:27,” said Elmer.

 

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  Psalm 41:1,” said Myrtle.

 

“Let the trees clap their hands.  Let the hills be joyful together.  Psalm 98:8,” said Trilby.

 

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.  Psalm 100:2,” said Maria.

 

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near.  Isaiah 55:6,” said Donald.

 

“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.” Said Janet.

 

Not all the children were ready to give a bible verse.

 

“Be sure to have a verse at our next meeting,” said Richard.  “Now Mrs. Cubber do you want to say anything?”

 

“Yes, we have refreshments in the back room,” she said.  “Trilby’s mother baked muffins for everyone and we have hot cocoa.”

 

“Yea! For Trilby’s mother and you,” said Richard.

 

Viola joined Janet and the other children for refreshments.

 

“Neena always bakes good muffins,” said Janet.

 

“Do you always have food at these meetings?” asked Janet’s cousin.

 

“Yes, mostly Neena and Manie prepare the food,” said Janet.  “Sometimes another person brings food.”

 

Viola was most pleasant on the way home.  Janet was glad because she wanted her cousin to be her friend.  Now they could talk to each other since Viola was in a good mood.

 

“Janet, you have many friends,” said Viola.  “I don’t have friends.  I want to have friends.”

 

“You be friendly to others,” said Janet.  “You will get friends.”

 

“I’ll be your friend,” said Maria.  “I will like for you to be my friend.”

 

“Good,” returned Viola.  “Now we are friends.”

 

Viola didn’t complain anymore.  She tried hard to be a nice person.  She, Janet and Maria had fun talking and playing games.

 

“Jesus in me makes me want to be good,” Viola said.  “I think my mother will be well soon because that boy prayed for her.  It made me feel better.  I know someone wants my mother to be well.  I really did like the meeting of the king’s soldiers.  I wish there were meetings like that in the town where I live.”

 

“Maybe you can start a group to have meetings,” said Janet, “But you need to have someone who can tell bible stories.  We often hear bible stories.  I don’t know why Richard didn’t tell one today.”

 

In three days Viola heard from her mother’s friend that her mother was much better and could come home in two weeks.