SHALL never forget an untruth I once told, although, it happened when I was a very little girl. My younger sister had a penny, with which she wished to buy a fig, but being too sick to go to the store herself, she asked me to go. Accordingly I went.
As I returned with the fig nicely folded up in a small piece of paper, suddenly the thought occurred to me that I should like to take a peep at the fig. So I very carefully opened the paper, when the fig looked so very tempting, I thought I could not help tasting it at one end. I had scarcely tasted it before I wanted it all; and without much more thought I ate up the whole fig! Then when it was all gone, I had nothing to do but to think. I began to feel very uncomfortable. I stood disgraced before myself. I thought of running somewhere, I did not exactly know where, but to get away from everyone. It was not long before I reached home; I went as quickly as I could.
I told my sister that I had lost the penny. I remember she cried sadly. But I went right out into the garden, and tried to think of something else, but in vain. My own guilt stared me steadily in the face, and I was wretched. Although it was only a few minutes to the dinner-hour, yet it seemed very long to me. I was anxious some event might intervene between me and the lie I had told. I wandered about with a very heavy spirit. I thought I would give worlds if it had not happened.
When the dinner-hour came, I was seated in my high chair at my father’s side, when my sister made her appearance, crying, and looking very much grieved. My father immediately asked what was the matter. Then my mother stated the story, the conclusion of which was, that I had “lost the penny”.
I can never forget the look of kind, perfectly unsuspecting confidante with which my father turned on me, and with his large blue eyes full in my face, said, “Where did you lose the penny? Perhaps we can find it again.”
Not for a single instant could I brave that tone and look, but bursting into tears, I screamed out, “O, I did not lose the penny—I ate up the fig.”
A silence, as of the grave, ensued. No one spoke. In an instant I seemed to be separated at an immense distance from all the rest of the family. A great gulf yawned between us. A sense of loneliness and desolation came over me, the impression of which will go with me Forever. I left the table, and all that afternoon, the next day, and during the week, my feelings were melancholy in the extreme. But as time wore away, and my father and mother, brothers and sisters, received me back to their love and favor, my spirits recovered their usual tone. The whole event left an indelible impression on my mind and heart. It convinced me that “the way of transgressors is hard.”
Dear young reader, whatever it costs you, be truthful. It will cost you more to be untruthful. Through fear, children are sometimes driven to tell a lie. Whatever you do, be truthful. May this be your motto all through your life.
How solemn are these words of Scripture, “All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:88But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).
To be truthful is not enough; salvation through the finished work of Christ is needed, if we are to be truly happy for time and eternity. No one can escape the lake of fire and get to heaven but by the Lord Jesus Christ, and His work on the cross.
Accept Him now as your own Savior, dear children, and He will keep you from evil, if you go to Him for strength day by day, and are in dependence on Him.
ML-07/04/1920