TOM had a fine dog given to him whom he named Rip. He was very fond of Rip, and Rip loved his young master. He would not allow anyone to hurt him.
One day Tom became very angry about something, and losing his self-control, he struck Rip a blow. It was very mean of Tommy to take it out on Rip in this way, for his dog was not to blame.
But Rip did not bite Tommy or fight back. With a look of love in his eye, he peered up into Tommy’s face and licked his hand!
Sometimes boys and girls treat their brothers and sisters unkindly, and want to hit back. But we can learn a lesson from dear faithful Rip; he would not return evil for evil. The Lord Jesus suffered more unkindness than any man, but He never struck back; He was ever kind, even to His enemies. “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not.” 1 Peter 2:2323Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23).
ML-04/29/1973