A man was riding home on horseback one day. He had with him a considerable amount of money which he had tied to the saddle in front of him. Alongside trotted his faithful dog.
After a long ride, he stopped to rest under a shady tree and to eat the lunch he had with him. Lighting from his horse he took the bag of money and laid it down beside him.
A little later, he mounted his horse again and rode off, but forgot to take the bag of money with him. The dog, seeing the money left bind, ran after his master and tried to draw his attention to his mistake. However, the man did not understand what his dog meant. Then the dog ran in front of the horse, and kept jumping up and down before him, barking loudly. His master became alarmed, and began to think the dog must be going mad. Still he went on barking and jumping up and down with increasing violence, till his master felt sure he was right. He thought to himself, “He might bite me, or someone else. The only safe thing to do is to get rid of him.”
Sadly he took his pistol from his pocket and shot the poor dog. He felt a deep pang as the noble creature yelped with pain and fell. Unable to bear the sight, the man put his spurs to his horse and rode on.
“I am so sorry,” said the man to himself. “I would have rather lost my money than my good dog.” Then he felt for his money, but it wasn’t there. In an instant he saw it all clearly now. The noble dog had seen him leave his money behind and was trying the best way he knew how to get his master to go back for it. And he had shot him! Oh how sorry the man felt now.
Turning his horse around he rode back to the place where he had rested under the tree. There he found the money and his faithful dog stretch alongside. He had crawled back, and laid down beside his master’s money to protect it.
Tears filled the man’s eyes and rolled down his face. Kneeling down by the faithful creature, he petted and spoke kindly to him. The dog looked lovingly into his master’s face, licked his hand, and then turned over and died.
Tenderly the man had the body of his faithful friend carried home and buried in his garden. Over his grave he had a stone slab set up with these words engraved on it: “In Memory of a Faithful Dog.”
Surely the devotion of the man’s faithful friend touches our hearts! But has the faithful love of the dying Saviour of sinners moved and won your heart, dear reader? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:1313Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13).
Jesus is the best and truest Friend you will ever have. He died to save sinners such as we, and now He seeks to warn you of the folly of going on in your own willful way without Him. Hearken to His voice saying, “Come unto Me,... and I will give you rest.” In Him alone you will find salvation, peace and joy.
ML 10/31/1965