MANY years ago in England a man had a field of choice grain which was nearly ready to be harvested. It being the fall of the year, the Duke of Wellington and his attendants were out horse back on a chase for foxes. The owner of this field, knowing that by crossing it, they would destroy much grain, stationed his little boy at its entrance, and commanded him to suffer no one on any account to enter the field. Faithful to his duty the little boy remained at his post, until the swiftly riding party came up, the Duke commanding the gate to be opened.
The lad, in true reverence to a superior, lifted his hat and said, “I do not suppose that the Duke of Wellington will compel me to open this gate, which my father has commanded me to keep closed, and on no account to suffer it to be opened.” Such a reply the Duke was not able to resist, and turning his horse, he and his party rode away.
The boy feeling happy that he had fulfilled his father’s command, and that he was able to turn back such a great man, triumphantly shouted, “I have done what Napoleon could not do: I have kept back the Duke of Wellington!”
Children, let us always be faithful to do God’s will, and fulfill what He has commanded us.
ML 03/30/1902