A SUMMER afternoon a group of children were playing at the end of a pier jutting out into a lake near Kingston, Ontario. One caress little fellow playing too near the edge of the pier stepped off backwards and fell into the deep water.
None of his little companions could save him, and their cries brought no one from the shore. But just as he was sinking for the third time a superb Newfoundland dog rushed down the pier, jumped into the water and pulled him out. They took the little fellow home apparently none the worse for his experience.
The grateful children took the dog to a bake shop and fed him with a great variety of cakes and other goodies, as many as he would eat.
This story is only one of a great number telling of sagacity and bravery on the part of dogs in rescuing people.
Now for the amusing sequel. The next afternoon the same group of children were playing at the same place on the pier when our hero of the day before came trotting down to them with the most friendly wags and nods. There being no occasion this time for supplying him with cakes and dainties, the children only stroked and patted him.
However, Rover had not come out of pure sociability. A child in the water and cakes and candy were closely related in his mind, and if this relation was not clear to the children, he resolved to impress it upon them. So watching his opportunity he crept up behind a child standing near the edge of the pier, gave him a sudden push which sent him into the water, then sprang in after him, and gravely brought him to the shore — looking up for more cakes and candy!
Clever Rover made a little mistake, but we forgive him that for his watchful and ready courage. After all he was only a dog. But he may also teach us a lesson to be always ready to rescue souls whether we get cakes and candy or not, for a kind deed is its own reward.
Our blessed Saviour went into the deep waters of death to rescue sinning, perishing sinners like us. He did not come seeking a reward, but He laid down His life and shed His precious blood to put our sins away so that we might live and share with Him the joys of His heavenly home forever.
And yet He has been rewarded, for God has “highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11).
ML-08/05/1973