PART 16
The men looked at each other in fright, and then stared to the ground, but not one said a word. After a pause William jumped up, and, going with outstretched arms toward his brothers, said: “Yes, you had yet another younger brother, and I am that brother! You meant to do me harm, as once the sons of Jacob did when they sold their brother Joseph, but God has turned all for good, He has kept me alive and led me in a wonderful way to this place, to my old grandmother, the mother of our father, who at that time still lived, and who brought me up in motherly love and care. She lived here in this little house which is now mine, in which I have now lived many years in peace and quietness. God has given me besides these earthly possessions, a faithful wife and dear children. And now you are all welcome here with me! I have enough to keep you till you have gained strength, and are able to make your own living. I forgive you for what you have done to me, and hope that God, too, will forgive your evil deeds.”
The five unfortunate men sat there like statues. While William spoke they did not once lift their eyes to him. His words had struck them with terror and shame. So that kind man which stood now before them, and meeting them in such a loving manner, was the brother they had once treated so cruelly and shamefully. And this brother, instead of rebuking them sharply for their awful deed, and driving them off his place, had only kind and forgiving words for them, even stretching out his hands to help and save them. Quite a while they sat there without sang anything. At last the eldest one stood up, went to his young brother and fell down on his knees, tears flowing from his eyes. William begged him to stand up,
“Not until I have heard once more from your lips that you will forgive us our terrible sin,” he sobbed.
The other brothers began to come, and they, too, with many tears, begged forgiveness from their youngest brother. It was a touching scene.
“Yes, I forgive you,” said William again and again, for he was deeply touched. “Let the past be forgotten and come into my arms as my brothers,”
Then he lifted his oldest brother from the ground, and embraced him with much feeling, also his other brothers. Then his wife and children, which had until now stood around them, listening to the conversation, came near and shook hands with the strangers, making them feel they were welcome and showing them kindness.
When the storm of emotion had somewhat passed, William and his wife went to the barn to make it as comfortable as could be done under the circumstances, for there was no room in the house for all of them. On the hay, of which there was an abundance, and by the aid of woolen blankets, they made a temporary sleeping place on which the overtired men could sleep, but first William asked them to kneel down with himself and family and thank God for His gracious and wonderful leadings. They all obeyed the request, and William’s voice exalted the grace of God which had made the lost ones come to themselves, though through bitter experience, and when adding to this the prayer that God might still work in their hearts and give them true repentance, and forgiveness of their sins, then the tears began to flow again from these melted hearts. With the assurance that the God of all grace would answer his prayer, William returned to his house. I do not need to say that there also he fell on his knees to praise the Lord, who had done above all that he could ask or think, and pray for blessing to come upon his brothers.
“Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake Hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32.
ML 04/23/1939