WILLIE was an errand boy at Dr. Becker’s. From early morning till late in the evening, with a basket on his arm, he went through the streets of a city in Germany. Sometimes getting things needed in the household for Mrs. Becker, or fetching medicines or refreshments for his master’s patients. Dr. Becker was not only an able physician, but a very friendly and kind-heard gentleman, who, often when he found misery and poverty, not only gave free treatment, but furnished medicines, food or refreshment to the sick free of charge.
Willie was a good natured, diligent boy, and tried his best to please his master and so obtain his favor. His mother was poor and had to work out from day to day to support herself and children. But she was a Christian, who loved the Lord Jesus dearly, and it was her joy to please Him and to live for Him, and also to bring her dear children to Him while yet in their young days; for besides Willie, there was a little girl, Minnie, the image and delight of her mother, and the darling of her brother, who was a few years older. One day Minnie became very sick, which alarmed her mother and brother very much. Dr. Becker came, and found her case very doubtful, indeed. Willie was sad and frightened, and as often as he could, he would run home to see his little sister. Oh! how it grieved him, to see his darling suffer without being able to help her.
Minnie was lying in a high fever and every moment calling for water to quench her burning thirst. One morning she asked piteously for an orange. “Mother, give me some money that I may go to market to buy an orange,” said Willie, who had not yet left the house to begin his daily work.
“I have not a cent left in the house,” the mother answered with a deep sigh. “I am afraid Minnie has to wait a little longer.
Willie left the room with a heavy heart. “Oh! if I had money,” murmured he softly to himself, “Minnie would not have to wait long for an orange.” A few moments later, he stood before Dr. B— to receive his daily instructions.
To begin with, Dr. B—sent him to get a paper which he had left in the dining-room. Willie went, and what do you think first attracted his eyes on entering the room? A large dish full of beautiful oranges.
“I must have one of them,” thought Willie to himself. “One, surely, they won’t miss, and how happy Minnie will be when I bring to her the longed-for refreshing fruit!” It was a strong temptation for Willie; he stood still and couldn’t take his eyes off of the tempting fruit. At last he stepped forward and took one of the nicest oranges out of the dish, weighing it thoughtfully in his hands. “If it were for myself I would not do it,” he whispered, “but it is for poor sick Minnie.” The temptation grew stronger. A voice seemed to whisper in his ears, “Stealing isn’t sin, if done for the good of some one else.” “Nobody will find it out,” he again whispered. That is the way Satan tries to assure people. He puts sin so nicely bore them, that at last it does not seem to be sin at all. Willie was still standing before the dish of oranges. What shall he do? At once he heard an inward voice which he plainly understood to say, “It is not good to do evil; and it is a big sin to take anything that does not belong to you.” It was the voice of the conscience, — the faithful friend that always is with us and warns us of sin. “Oh, Lord, give me strength to keep from sin and to do that which is good.” So Willie prayed, and left the room as quickly as he could. He had conquered Satan, through the power of the Lord. How glad he was now, how happy he felt that he obeyed the voice of Jesus through his conscience. As soon as he could, he ran home to see about Minnie. As he entered the room she called to him with a joyful voice, “Just see, Willie, what dear Mrs. Becker brought to me!” With this, showing him a dish full of beautiful oranges standing on the table. How surprised Willie was when he saw the very same oranges which, a few hours before, had been such a great temptation to him. He could hardly trust his eyes. He felt deeply ashamed, but thankful that the goodness of the Lord had kept him in the hour of temptation, and had so kindly provided for all things. With tears in his eyes, he left the room and went to his own little bedroom, fell on his knees, and there poured out his heart in fervent thanksgiving to God for His deliverance, goodness and kindness towards them.—Translated from the German by H. R. E.
ML 07/02/1899