  On her way along she observed a boy sitting on the walk near some shrubbery. He seemed very intent on whatever he was doing. She approached nearer and saw a poor butterfly denuded of its wings lying quivering in his hand, and he was looking at it with the most intense satisfaction. "My lad, do you know that— The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs xv, 3. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs xx, 11. "Understand that it is sinful to torment any living thing." The boy slunk away, realizing for the first time that it was wrong to torture anything so small as a butterfly. The disposition to torture seems to be inherent with many boys and if allowed to grow on them will in time predominate over all good impulses, and prompt them to commit the most terrible crimes. For the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence. Ezekiel vii, 23. If they were taught to cultivate will power to subdue these evil impulses what a blessing would be derived! How prone to wickedness is all human nature, and how much we need to pray for help to overcome it! Watch and pray. Matthew xxvi, 41. |
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