Yes, a little child may be the means, under God, of pointing the way, the way even to leading a new life, taking a right path. It is no easy thing to break off a bad habit, even for the converted heart, the heart may be all right, but the bad habit has to be conquered by continual striving, a continual remembrance.
Through hearing my brother preach the truth as it is in Jesus, the good news that Christ Jesus came to save the lost, to save sinners, dear old Palmer came to Jesus and accepted His salvation in truth and steadfastness, and ever after proved a God-fearing man, but, but the bad habit of swearing to which he had been addicted from youth clung to him for long until he was delivered. “Dang it,” he would say, “I beg pardon, sir, there I am at it again. Pardon from you, sir, and pardon from the precious blood.” Poor old Palmer, how good and true and faithful he was, but this habit. He would say “Bad words is like thieves, steals all our peace.” How he would grieve and grieve over his sinfulness. At last this little child led him right. “Oh Granfer, won’t you pray that you may forget how to swear? You know God says, He forgets our sins; let’s ask Him to let you forget these naughty words that you hate so,” and so prayer was answered, and a chain was put on that dear old mouth ere wicked and sinful words escaped. So, dear friends, if any of you give way to swearing and hate it, ask God and He will deliver you as He did our dear old gardener.
Emily P. Leakey.