Little Frances Wilson started one afternoon on an errand for her mother. On the way, she passed Jack Porter, a poor neglected boy who was often in trouble. Jack was sitting on the doorstep, and as Frances went by he reached out to strike at her with a stick he had in his hand. But Frances dodged him and quickly ran on her way.
Jack had no cause for disliking little Frances, for she had never done him any harm. But her father was one of the guards at the prison nearby, and as Jack had twice been put in jail he was afraid to meet Mr. Wilson. He showed his spite by being unkind to Frances whenever he could.
On her way home, Frances passed the prison and caught sight of her father standing just inside the gate with a large bunch of keys in his hand. She did not stop a minute, but ran up to him as fast as she could and put her hand in his.
“O Father,” she said, “I’m glad I met you. Are you coming home now?”
“Yes, Frances, I’m coming home for supper. If you wait till I turn in the keys, we will walk back together.”
Soon they were on their way home. “Why weren’t you afraid to come and talk to me just now, Frances? You know I’m one of the guards at the prison, and that I unlock the cells and very often I have to shut people in there? Aren’t you afraid to walk with me?”
“O Father, you talk in a funny way today,” said the little girl, looking at him with surprise. “I’m not a bit afraid of you; you won’t lock me up,” and she pressed his big hand very tightly with both of hers.
“Why won’t I lock you up?” he asked again, putting on a grave face.
“Because you are my father, and I know you love me.”
“Yes, but weren’t you the little girl that broke the window last week and I had to pay a dollar to have a new pane put in?”
“Yes, I know I did,” said little Frances, hanging her head, but I was very sorry for it, and I cried, and told you about it when you came home. You forgave me and kissed me and said you would not punish me for it because I told you. I know you won’t forget what you said; I’m not afraid of you, Father.”
Mr. Wilson picked his little girl up in his big strong arms and kissed her.
“A very good reason, my dear little girl,” he said. “Your Daddy would never be the means of sending you to prison. Now look across the road. There’s someone who doesn’t like to meet me.”
It was Jack who got up from the doorstep as they drew near, and slunk off.
“O, that’s Jack Porter,” said Frances. “He tried to hit me as I came by, and he thinks you will punish him for it.”
After supper Frances’ father took down the big family Bible, and read: “And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:17,1817And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17‑18).
“Jack Porter is afraid to meet me because he is a bad boy, and he has no love for me. In the day of judgment, those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Friend, will fear to meet Him. But there are others who believe on His name, who are washed in His precious blood, and have learned to love and trust Him on earth. They have no fear of Jesus, but they think of Him as the One who holds the keys of heaven and death. They can look up to Him knowing that His perfect love casts out fear; they know Him as the One who loves them, who died for them on the cross, and who will never send them away from Himself into everlasting punishment.”
Mr. Wilson then knelt down with his little girl and prayed. He asked God that Frances might, while still young, trust the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and have that peace that comes with knowing our sins are forgiven. And may you too, dear young reader, find peace in believing in that blessed One.
ML 02/19/1967