There have been times when I have wondered what it would have been like had I not been introduced to salvation and the Good News, the story of the Christ who saves us, early on in my life. Christie's Old Organ, written in 1874 by Mrs. O.F. Walton, shows me exactly what it could have been like.

Set in a city, we meet Treffy. Treffy is an older gentleman who is an organ player. His hand-crank organ plays four old songs, his favorite of which is Home, Sweet Home. He carries his organ around the city playing it to earn a few pennies to pay his keep at the lodging house. A young orphan boy named Christie befriends Treffy when Treffy becomes ill. Taking the organ out to earn money for Old Treffy, Christie walks the streets of the city.

Overhearing the doctor say that Treffy will live only another month, both Treffy and Christie begin wondering about where “home, sweet home” really is. Christie remembers his mother talking about heaven and Old Treffy is certain this is what “home, sweet home” must be. But how do they get there? Treffy sends Christie on a mission to find out all he can about heaven before Treffy's month is over.

One day, Christie wanders down a lovely street and meets a young girl. This young girl, Mabel, simply begins talking with Christie about heaven and loving Christ. With tears, she tells Christie that he can't go to heaven if he doesn't love Jesus and then he wouldn't have any home. Sitting still in the afternoon, very weary, Christie overhears two women talking about a mission room and discussing the time the preacher would be talking about heaven, how simply he puts it. Christie quickly shares the information with Treffy and they decide Christie absolutely must be there to learn all he can for the two of them.

Christie shows up at the appointed time and thus we get to follow him through his thirst for knowledge of heaven and Jesus. Learning all he can with limited time looming over him, Christie really made me think about those around the world and right here in our own city who are thirsting for knowledge of Jesus and “home, sweet home.” The discussion in the book that brings Christie and Treffy to know Jesus and to love him is not difficult and is full of the love of one for Jesus and sharing that with others who are striving to know. It ends beautifully with Christie becoming one who strives to find ways to share the story of “home, sweet home” with others, knowing it is a life-changing story.

Christie's Old Organ is a lovely book published by Lamplighter Publishing. The book is a hardcover book, approximately 5” x 7”, is about 170 pages. This simple read is full of heart-warming love and is easily read by children. Whether read on their own or as a read-aloud, this story is one that children and adults alike will be drawn to.

—Product review by Lori Hooten, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, April, 2017