BY JONATHAN JONES.
I sometimes think that the mistakes of a great man are a very poor excuse for the mistakes of the little man who tries to imitate him.
I have heard it stated that the average boy would rather pluck apples and blackberries before they are ripe than allow them to ripen for another boy to have them.
Are older children ever guilty of anything similar?
If we are to be of any use in public in the service of God, we must be much in preparation in private. The Lord Jesus Himself spent whole nights in prayer to His Father. David slew Goliath in public; but he had first to practice in private by slaying the lion and the bear when there were none present to admire.
Water will boil at a temperature of 212 degrees; but however fierce the fire, and however long the boiling, the water will never get any hotter than when it first boiled. So it answers no useful purpose to allow our anger to boil unduly. Mildness in reproof is more effectual than long severity. I was told by a gardener the other day that it would be very unwise to use boiling water when watering geraniums and other plants.