ONE AUGUST afternoon a little Norwegian boy, KNUD IVERSON, who lived in the city of Chicago, went to fetch his cow, as free and light-hearted, I suppose, as boys usually are, off to the meadows on a summer's afternoon. He came at length by a stream of water, where there was a gang of idle, ill-looking big boys, who, when they saw Knud, hailed him.
"What do you want me for?" Knud asked; "I am going after my cow."
They came up to him and said they wanted him to go into Mr. Elston's garden, and steal some apples.
"No," said Knud promptly, "I cannot steal, I am sure."
"Well, but you've got to," they insisted.
"No," persisted Knud; "I cannot steal for anybody."
Then they threatened to duck him, for these wicked big boys had often before frightened little boys into robbing gardens for them; little boys were less likely to get found out.
The threat did not frighten Knud; so, to make their words good, they seized and dragged him to the river, and in spite of his cries and struggles plunged him in. But the heroic boy, even with the water gurgling and choking in his throat, never flinched, for he knew that God had said, "Thou shalt not steal," and God's Word he had made his law. No cursing, or threats, or cruelty of the big boys would make him give up.
Provoked by his firmness, they determined to see if they could not conquer; so they ducked him again; but still it was, "No," "no," and they kept him under water.
Was there no one near to hear his distressing cries, and rescue the poor boy from their cruel grasp? No; there was none to rescue him; and gradually the stifled cries of the drowning boy grew faint and fainter, and his struggles less and less, and finally the boy was drowned. He could die, but he would not steal.
Early piety had blossomed in his little life. He loved his Bible, and his Saviour; his seat was never vacant at the Sunday school, and so intelligent, conscientious, and steadfast had he been, that he had won the respect and confidence of his elders.
Be thou faithful unto death Rev. 2, 10
Messages of the Love of God 10/26/1975