52. Penitence
Penitence
PORTRAIT’S EYE.—A girl went into her master’s room to steal. There was a portrait in the room; and the eyes of the picture seemed to follow her wherever she went; and, in order that she might steal without this rebuke, she took down the portrait, and cut the eyes out. Had she been able to pluck out God’s eye, she might have stolen without remorse.
MEASURE WAS FULL.—An Italian prince became celebrated for his forbearance, also for his severe punishment when aroused to do vengeance. He had an offending servant, who was repeatedly admonished. With every pardon, he became more reckless and impudent. One day he entered the presence of the prince with his hat on, and, when rebuked, said he had a cold. His much-enduring master said: “I will take care that you never catch a cold again.” He immediately ordered the man to prison, and that the executioner should nail his hat to his head. One of the prince’s friends expressed surprise at this severe sentence, because the servant had been pardoned for more serious crimes. The prince took a goblet, and, having half filled it with water, requested his friend to put an apple into it. This made the water rise to the brim. The prince then told his friend to drop in a coin. This made the water to run over. “How is it?” the prince asked, “that the small coin caused the water to run over, whereas the large apple raised it only to the brim?”
BRUISED REED.—A bruised reed is an expressive emblem of the soul, broken and contrite on account of sin, weeping and mourning for transgression. Christ will not break it; that is, He will not be haughty, unforgiving and cruel; He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength.
WELDING IRON.—Take the cold iron, and attempt to weld it into a certain shape. How fruitless the effort! Lay it on the anvil, seize the blacksmith’s hammer with all your might, let blow after blow fall upon it, and you shall have done nothing; but put it in the fire, let it be softened and made malleable, then lay it on the anvil, and each stroke shall have a mighty effect, so that you may fashion it into any form you may desire.
BURNED THE LIQUOR.—A liquor-seller in Iowa, during a religious revival, made up his mind to lead a new life. He had a stock of liquors on hand, but he did not sell it or send it elsewhere to do its mischief, but he carted the whole stock down in front of the meeting-house, and there made a bonfire of it.
LET GO, DON’T FEAR.—A residence was on fire. All the inmates but one boy escaped, and the flames cut off egress by the stairway. He could be seen by the fire in the room; but the thick black smoke kept him from seeing the people below. He heard their voices; and he cried, “Oh, save me!” “Here I am, my son!” said the father. “Drop down; and I will be sure to catch you.” Charles crept out of the window, but hung fast by it. He knew it was very high from the ground; and he was afraid to let go. “Drop down, my boy!” cried the father. “Oh! I can’t see you, father.” “But I am here. You can trust me; I will save you.” “I am afraid, father, I shall fall.” “Let go, don’t fear!” cried the people. “Your father will be sure to catch you.” He was certain that, if he hung there, he should be burnt. He knew that his father was strong, that he loved him, and that he was waiting to save him; then he let go his hold, and in a moment he was in his father’s arms.