When the boys talked about the visit to the woods, Edward said, he would not go unless Walter went too. So they asked him to go; but as his master had forbidden him, he could have cried with disappointment had he not been so sullen.
The master had noticed his bad temper many a time, and as he was a friend of Mr. Ford’s, was very grieved to see that punishment only seemed to make the boy worse. So he thought much about it, and wondered whether there was any other plan he could adopt.
After school was over, Walter walked slowly towards home, and did not try to overtake Edward, who had gone out first; but Edward waited for him, and speaking kindly, said, “I was so sorry, Walter, to hear the master say you must be ‘kept in’ on Saturday, because you did not know your lessons. How did it happen?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Walter, sullenly, “and don’t care. I think it’s a shame to give us so much to do; I know I wish I could pay the master out.”
“He doesn’t work you very hard,” answered Edward; “if you would only give more time to your lessons! Now you’ll not be able to go with us on Saturday, and I am sorry for it.”
“I don’t care,” said Walter, choking over the words.
“Oh yes, you do,” replied Edward; “and I know someone else who will care when she hears it.”
At this Walter scowled and turned away, and would speak no more, except to say as they parted, “You are not going to tell them at home, are you?”
“No,” answered Edward, and left him.
As the boy turned towards his uncle’s house, he made up his mind what to do, He would spare Mrs. Ford the knowledge of Walter’s naughtiness if he could.
The same evening he called at his master’s house, and when he was shown into the study, he said,
“Please sir, I want to ask a favor of you. I heard you say that Walter Ford had two returned lessons, and must be kept in on Saturday, and I want you to give a punishment that I think would do him more good. Please excuse me for telling you, sir, but you were saying the other day how grieved you were to see that Walter’s temper gets worse, and I want to know if you will let me take his place on Saturday afternoon?”
“Why, my boy,” said the master kindly, laying his hand on Edward’s shoulder, “what good would that do?”
“Why, sir, Walter is very fond of me, and I think that if I were kept in instead of him he would feel it more; it would make him more sorry; but if he stays behind why, I think, sir, he’ll only be sullen and cross. Please let me do it, sir,” said the boy eagerly.
The master thought a minute. “I believe you are right, Edward,” he answered. “If you have Walter’s good so much at heart, I will not refuse you—you may do as you like.”
“Thank you very much,” said Edward: “but you will order it, sir? Will you not only consent, but give it out as your wish? If not Walter will most likely be obstinate and refuse to leave.”
The master promised, and next Saturday said very quietly to him when school broke up, “You can take your holiday today Walter; Edward Grant is going to remain instead of you. He will write out the lessons you repeated so badly, and will give up his afternoon’s walk. You may go now.”
Walter could not understand it. He had heard nothing from Edward, but as the master turned away he could not say anything, only he felt very angry and much ashamed. He walked down the school-room, and as he passed Edward, said.
“What a shame this is of the master to keep you in instead of me! What has he done it for?”
“I wish to stay, Walter. I told the master so, and he has given me leave; indeed he wished it too. It’s a nice fine day, you’ll enjoy the walk, don’t think of me and I’m so glad your mamma won’t know. It would trouble her so. But look! the master is signing you to go.”
The school-room was cleared, and Walter was obliged to leave.
When he got outside he hurried home and tried hard not to think about Edward, but it would not do; and at last as he thought of his kindness and love in bearing the punishment, and in keeping the news from his mother, the tears filled his eyes. He could not go for the walk, but spent the afternoon in a restless manner at home, and at last went to his mother and told her all about it.
When he next met Edward he thanked him as well as his tears would let him, and told him how sorry he was for his naughtiness, and tried hard afterwards to learn his lessons well, so as not to grieve the one who loved him so much; and Mrs. Ford was well repaid for her kindness to Edward, by seeing a great improvement in her little boy.
The reason I have told you this little story is to remind you of One who has shown great love and kindness to you. Do not close the paper, now that the first story is ended, but read, to the end, and you will find another that ought to touch your heart, and cause you to be a true little servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. If it had not been for the love of Jesus, you and I, and all who are in the world, must have suffered the punishment of our own sins. The master of the school could not pass over Walter’s naughtiness, it would not have been right. Punishment must be borne because of disobedience.
God is holy and righteous, and He cannot pass over sin, even the sin of a little child. Punishment must follow.
But you see Edward loved Walter, and was willing to take his place; and the master loved Walter, and agreed to it.
Jesus knew that our punishment must be to be sent away from God for ever, into misery and woe, and He pitied and loved us and came into this world to take our place. And God, who is LOVE, agreed to it; indeed it says God “sent His Son,” so if He Himself formed the plan, we ought to believe it, and accept the gift of salvation.
But many people and little children, too, who really believe Jesus died instead of them, and trust in Him, dare not say that their sins are forgiven, and that they are sure they are saved. This is very wrong, and it does not bring all the glory to God that He ought to have. If God has accepted Jesus instead of you, and poured out all His anger, and judged sin when Jesus died on the cross, He will not punish twice—He will not be angry with the one who believes in Jesus, and trusts in the work that He finished on the cross; but He calls that one His child, and like a loving Father will guard and guide it forever.
But what will become of those who do not go to Jesus and accept Him as their Saviour?
They will have to bear the punishment themselves—a punishment that will never end, and for all eternity must lament and bewail their folly in not having trusted in the Saviour.
Jesus died upon the tree,
Oh boundless love!
Died to set the sinner free,
Oh boundless love!
To the cross grace matchless drew Him,
There man’s sin and hatred slew Him—
Now we have redemption through Him,
Oh boundless love!
ML 02/16/1902