What keeps back some wicked people from many evil things they would wish to do? They are afraid of being punished. What keeps good children, the children of God, from doing what they know There is a great difference, my dear children, between these two kinds of fear—the fear of punishment, and the fear of sin. The first will only keep a child from some sins, at some times; and if he often escapes being found out, he will lose it almost altogether. But the fear of sin itself, because God forbids it, will keep a child from any sin, and will be felt more powerfully as he grows up in grace. I will tell you a little story on this subject, which happened a good many years ago, and may help you to understand what I mean. Robert Wright was the son of a rich gentleman. He was a clever boy, quick at his lessons, had been well taught, and knew well what was right and wrong; but he had not learned to love and fear God. One morning, his mother said, “Robert, to-morrow will be the first Sunday of the month. Here is a shilling for you to put into the missionary box.” Robert put it into his pocket, and often looked at it through the day and felt if shop where a variety of tarts and cakes were in the window. He stopped to look, and then thought how he would like to have some. He felt if he had a penny to buy one tart. No; but there was the shilling, and the I cannot say that he had much pleasure in eating them, after all; for his conscience told him that he had done a great sin; and next day, when he saw the missionary-box, he felt unhappy. The same evening, when it was dark and cold, another little boy left his home. It was no nice cheerful home, like Robert’s, with warm fires, and bright lights. It was one small room, and in the grate only a few cinders. On a bed of straw in a corner his mother lay very ill. As he went out, he said, “Mother, try to sleep; I will not be late coming back.” He worked in a factory not far off, and it being Saturday night, He then ran back, and had just returned the apples into the basket, when the shopman seeing him, thought he was stealing, seized him by the arm, and dragged him in. The poor child, with tears, told the whole story, These two boys both lived to become men. Harry Brown grew up a decided and consistent Christian. He was trusted and respected by all who knew him; he got into good employment, married a pious wife, and saw his poor mother end her days in his happy home. Robert Wright became a prosperous man. He had a fine house, a carriage, and servants, and all that money could buy. And yet often Try to remember the lessons taught by this story? Pray to the Holy Spirit to put the true fear of God and fear of sin into your hearts, for Jesus’ sake? And remember, when temptation comes, “Thou God seest me!” |