On the Fourteenth Anniversary of His Birth, Written by His Teacher.
DEAR PAUL:
I have thought of you several times, and wished I could be at that birthday dinner today. I cannot resist letting my studies go for a little while and having a visit with you through a letter, since I cannot be there in person.
I am sure you noticed your verse this morning on your “Cheering Words” calendar. I know it was placed there especially for you. Isn’t it wonderful that God can take note of such a little thing as the birthday of one of His children and send a special message to you?
He says, “Be not weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6: 9.
Do you see, it is just in the language that a farmer boy could best understand? You know so well that if you grew tired of preparing the ground for the seeds and gave up and said:
“I won’t plant any seed this year,” you could not reap any crop in the fall.
It is just so with your path through this world. You must not grow tired of bearing the cross of Christ; of turning away from all things that other boys, who do not love your Lord, would seek to lead you into, but just go straight forward “in well doing,” for “in due season” (that means at the time the Lord sees fit), He will reward you. How much greater will be His approval than all the world can offer? Then comes the last verse on the calendar leaf:
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Prov. 20: 11.
You see, the first verse was not intended only for grown people or preachers, but the Lord would have you to know it is for you. Others watching your conduct would be able to say:
“That boy acts like a Christian, like a child of God.”
Today you start on a new year of your life; your new year didn’t really begin January 1St, did it? I wonder if you have looked back to see all that the past year has brought you? I think if the Lord should tarry till you grow to be a man, you would always look back to this year of your life—to the time when a tent was set up, and night after night you heard the Wonderful Words of Life. You would be able to say:
“The year when I was thirteen I confessed the Lord as my Saviour before men.” So this has really been the beginning of years for you.
Do you remember when the children of Israel were to pass out of Egypt (Egypt means the world to us), the Lord said they were to count it the beginning of months? Exo. 12:22This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:2).
Perhaps, before you have another birthday, we shall all be safely at home with our Lord, for He has said, “Behold, I come quickly.”
I would wish you the return of many happy birthdays, but I can wish something far better—that the Lord may come and take us home to be with Himself.
Your Loving Teacher.
ML 08/18/1918