In the old days before "chain stores" were known, there were many one-man businesses flourishing in the larger towns. A fairly prosperous head of such a business used to travel over town and country selling his goods, leaving his store and office in charge of a trusted clerk as manager.
This clerk kept the books, was responsible for cash transactions, looked after the stores, saw to deliveries and all inside matters generally. It was a position of trust which for a time he filled satisfactorily.
After several years the owner of the business noticed certain small irregularities which made him suspicious as to their causes. He decided to look into things more closely, to examine privately the accounts, and to have the stock taken. To his surprise the investigations proved that his fears were only too well justified, and that he was being systematically robbed. False entries in the cash book and discrepancies in the record of stock on hand came to light. He was grieved to find that the man he had trusted, and one whom he personally liked, had let him down so badly. The embezzlement and loss could not be overlooked.
It was with a heavy heart he called the clerk into his private office. He showed him the result of his investigations and asked him to account for his misdeeds.
The clerk, who thought he had carefully covered his tracks, was speechless when he saw the books and papers spread out and heard his employer's request for explanation. Quickly realizing the gravity of his situation, and knowing he was liable to a term of imprisonment and severe punishment, the man dropped to his knees in fright and begged for mercy.
"Oh, sir," he cried, "don't hand me over to the police! Don't send for the police! What shall I do?”
His master looked down at the poor white-faced man groveling at his feet. He said nothing; but paused for a moment reflecting how to act. He was a real Christian and was grieved to learn the perfidy of his trusted employee. He was even more sorry for the wretched man's wife and little family. What disgrace and sorrow would be theirs, the real sufferers, if the law were invoked! He decided to take a further risk for their sakes.
"No, I shall not send for the police," he quietly said. "Oh, sir, how can I thank you! I know I deserve to go to jail. I do thank you, sir!" He wept in his relief. To himself he said: "My poor wife, how could I face her? The children, too, if they knew. How could we live?”
Another long pause; then bidding him to get up, his employer looked fixedly at him. "I shall not dismiss you from my service," he said.
"What?" cried the astonished man, bursting into tears. "You are not getting rid of me, sir?”
"No, I shall keep you on in your old job.”
The astounded man could scarcely believe his ears. He stuttered, "You will keep me on, sir?”
"Yes. I shall cancel all these old books; I will stand the loss, and straighten things out. You can make a fresh start in your old post as bookkeeper.”
So absolutely taken aback was the now thoroughly repentant man that he stuttered out in his surprise, "But, sir, it can't be done. You don't know me, sir, how deceitful I am.”
"An entirely fresh start is what I want you to make," the Christian said kindly. "A fresh start with Christ.
"God in His great love did not spare His own dear Son, but gave Him up to die on Calvary that my sins against Him might be blotted out.
"All praise to that crucified Savior, through faith in His precious blood, God has forgiven me, His enemy, and made me His child, a joint heir with His dear Son to the mansions in glory for all eternity.
“Now you, my trusted employee and friend, have sinned against me, despoiling me of my goods and money. How can I show you His mighty love to me, if I be not willing to follow His example?
"In His name I forgive you your sin against me; but my heart's desire for you is that you might be saved. Far worse than your sin against me is your sin against God in refusing the sacrifice of His dear Son, Jesus, for you. He offers you pardon and peace now and eternal bliss in the world to come. Will you not take Him now?
“Tor the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.' “Titus 2:11-1411For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14).
The wondrous grace, the matchless mercy of a sin-hating God was thus made plain to the wretched man. Humbly and thankfully he received the Savior as his full payment for all sin. A soul was won for Christ, and the business man secured the faithful service of a grateful employee.