A PAINTER wanting a picture of Innocence, drew the likeness of a beautiful child. He was standing at his mother’s knee, who was looking on him with fondness and hope. And he with his mild blue eyes upturned to hers, seemed to give just the expression the painter desired. The portrait of young Rupert was highly prized by the painter, and hung up in his study, with the single word “INNOCENCE” under it.
After many years, when the artist had grown old, he found what he had been long looking for—the model for a companion picture to this, a representation of guilt. On the damp floor of a dungeon lay a wretched criminal named Randall, heavily ironed. Vice was marked on his face in every feature, and horrid oaths burst from his mouth.
The painter took the portrait of him to life, and hung it up beside the former picture, and gave it the title of “GUILT.”
But, children, who was young Rupert, standing in beauty by his mother? And who was this miserable wretch in his chains and ignominy? They were the same person. A few years had made the difference. What the man became in the course of time the child was, although he looked so sweet and harmless.
And such are we all by nature. The heart goes naturally to sin, and it is only God’s love that holds us. The only escape is to be in Christ, and that is to be a new creature. And how is this? I give you God’s own answer: “God gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
ML-01/27/1935