David Phillips, of Pontypool

died 1845

DAVID was a Sunday- scholar at Pontypool and was a very obedient child but didn’t love the Lord with all his heart. When he got sick with scarlet fever his Mother asked him if he thought he ought to go to heaven. He said “I believe Jesus died on Calvary for me, though I have been wicked.” In response to his mother asking if he would not rather live and stay with them, ‘He said he loved them, but he loved Jesus better, and would rather die and go to heaven, to be with him.’

The author talks of how children should learn from this young death and hoped they would think seriously about praying whilst they were still healthy. ‘It is better to serve the Lord when we are not afflicted, than to disobey him till our strength fails.’

(J. Hibbs)

Ref: P.M. Children’s Magazine 1845 Vol 3 Page 33-35