THERE is a fine story that comes from a New England home, and it was told by one of the boys concerned. The story runs:—
“Once I saved Tom from a promised whipping for leaving down the bars when he went after the cows at milking time, thus giving the young cattle left in the pasture a chance to get out, which they always improved. Father reproved him several times, till finally he threatened to whip him if it happened again. Several weeks passed, and he left the bars down again. The young cattle got into the corn and did much damage.
“The next morning father said nothing, but went about his usual work. Tom was gloomy; there was an air of depression in the house, and I was greatly troubled. I couldn’t bear to have Torn whipped, nor could I blame father. At last I resolved to speak to him. He was opening some tumbles of hay in the east meadow. I approached him slowly, for I did not feel sure of my ground, and stood still without saying a word. He looked up at me and said:
“Well, Joe, what is it?’
“ ‘I have come to you to speak about Tom. I don’t want him whipped.’
“I don’t know how you can help it, my son. I cannot have my crops destroyed in this way, and I must keep my word.’
“ ‘Father, didn’t you read this morning in the lesson: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities... and with His stripes we are healed”?’
“ ‘Yes, what a boy you are to remember, Joe.’
“ ‘Well, I will take half the blows you intend to give Tom.’
“ ‘I can’t do that Joe; Torn is the transgressor, not you,’ father answered, his face softening, and his voice trembled a little, Then looking at me keenly, he asked: ‘Does Tom know you have come to me?’
“ ‘No, he knows nothing of my coming?’
“My father stood leaning on his pitchfork with both hands, looking down on the ground. At length he said, ‘Go and bring Tom.’
“I found him in the front porch with a sober face, trying to study. ‘Come with me, Tom; father wants you.’
“ ‘I know what he wants,’ Torn replied, turning a little pale, and, after a moment’s hesitation he arose, saying, I might as well go and have it done with.’
“As we walked along I thought it best to give him a little advice, for he generally did as occasion served him; there was no knowing before hand what he would do.
“ ‘Now, Tom, you must be humble, and answer father’s questions in a good, kind way. You mustn’t talk any; only answer his questions. I don’t think he will be hard with you.’
“Father stood as I had left him. I can see him now, after the lapse of many years, with his back to the morning sun, leaning forward a little on the stall of his fork, looking down on the ground, one hand above the other, and his chin on his hands, and some forks full of hay scattered about him. He did not seem to see us; he was lost in reverie.
“ ‘Father,’ I ventured timidly, ‘Tom is here.’
“He looked up at us both quickly; then said:
“ ‘Tom, do you remember these words in our Scripture reading this morning: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities and with His stripes we are healed”?’
“Yes, sir,’ said Torn, greatly surprised.
“What do you think those words mean?’
“ ‘That Christ suffered for us,’ replied Torn, his voice unsteady and his face flushing up.
“ ‘Well, Joe offers to suffer for you.’
“Tom turned to me with a look on his face I shall never forget, and exclaimed: ‘No, Joe; you shall not do that.’ Then flinging his arms around my neck, he kissed me, and as quick as a flash he stepped up to father, saying ‘The stripes belong to me, father.’
“Tears were falling down my father’s face, and for a moment he could not speak. Then he said: ‘No, Tom, I cannot punish anybody now. I do not think you will ever forget this day. If you do, remember, Joe’s offer holds good. I love my children, and want to do them all the good I can; but I must be obeyed, and this is one way of doing them good. You may go now.’
“Then, with great awe upon us, we went to the house. Tom never left the bars down again.”
Dear friend, the Lord Jesus not only suffered to bear half your punishment, but the whole. And God could not pass over guilt as this father did; but Christ bore all the punishment for us, and we go free, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.
(Selected.)