I HAD, when a child, a very quick temper, as many another child has, I have no doubt. But I had learned about the Lord Jesus, whose blood cleanses from all sin, and had really been looking to Him for salvation. I do not think I had settled peace, because I was not taught clearly that I ought to have it, if I was resting on the blood of Christ. But I believe now I was saved, at the time I am writing about, when I was about thirteen years old.
One day, in the Spring, a fine, windy day, too, I had made myself a kite, and, having it all arranged, was about to fly it, when a neighbor’s dog ran over the string between me and the kite, just as I was pulling it out straight. I was very much excited, and yelled out to the dog, to make him get out of the way. But this frightened him, and, in getting out of the way, he ran over my beautiful kite, wetting and dirtying it with his feet. I ran to it, and seeing it somewhat soiled became greatly enraged, and, with a savage jerk, tore and broke it to pieces, sticks and all. What a miserable destroyer anger is!
My dear father was standing by, and saw it all. He called me to him, and leading the way into the house, sat down, and talked with me.
He told me the evil effects of anger, and where it all came from, the evil heart in me. And then he told me of the Lord Jesus, who was grieved by these things, and pointed to the word of God, and showed me how God dealt with sin on the cross, till my heart was bowed down with sorrow. Then he prayed with me, that I might see how sin was offensive to God, and might be forgiven through Christ, and might, also, be kept from yielding to it, by remembering the Lord Jesus.
I believe the Lord used that sweet word and prayer, to influence my whole life, and that one incident has been very fresh in my memory for many a year.
Dear children, remember that sin should not drive you away from the Lord Jesus, but to Him. He is just the One you want, when you do wrong, and He wants you.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:99That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9).
ML 01/22/1922