THERE lived a prominent writer in England whose name was Dr. Samuel Johnson. This man was once invited where all were prominent people, but he allowed himself to be late. When he finally, at a late hour, put in his appearance, he excused, himself to the lady of the house in the following words:
“When I accepted your invitation, I had forgotten that today was the 21St of November. This day has for me very sad recollections. I will tell you: Forty years ago today, on the 21St of November, my old father said to me:
‘Sam, I do not feel at all well today. Please take the wagon, drive to the market, and sell these books in my stead.’
But I had become vain over the little learning I had, and I was indebted to my father for it all; yea, for the very bread I had been eating from my childhood, so I refused my father’s request. Once more he asked me, and this time with unwonted friendliness, and a winning way that cuts me to the heart to this day.
‘Sam, do me this favor, please me, and be the good child again as in former years. You know we cannot afford to miss a market day.’
But I remained firm and refused him, and so he went himself—that dear, old, sick man! It stormed and snowed as today, but nevertheless he went, and in three days afterwards he died.”
Having reached this far in his narrative, he covered his pale face with both his hands. After a while he continued,
“Forty years have run their course, but on each 21St of November I go to L. I refused at that time to go in a vehicle; now I go on foot, and I fast besides. I stand at the market place for four hours bareheaded, at that very corner where my father had his stand for thirty years. Forty years have gone by, and I am now older than my father was when he died . . . . but I am not ready to die!” He groaned aloud, then lifting up his head with a sad smile,
“Why shed tears now? It is too late, too late.”
Some years later Mr. Johnson died, but before he died, he was relieved of the great load of his sins. He believed that the Son of God had by Himself purged our sins, by His own blood, and he accepted Him as his own Saviour.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.
O, children, remember what God says to you in His Word,
“Honor thy father, and mother: which is the first commandment with promise.” Eph. 6:2.
ML 03/01/1925