Telling Secrets | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 10, 1866

Telling Secrets.

I MUST relate my first and last experiments in training my oldest boy to keep family secrets. He was a chatterbox, and as he often visited among strangers without me, I was fearful he would tell more than he should. So taking him on my knee I said:

"My dear, you must never tell anything we say, or let out any plans to any one—especially to Mrs. Jones."

His quick mind comprehended me in an instant, and with a very confirmed look, he promised obedience. A few days after, he entered my room with an air of triumph, and said:

"Mamma, I minded you. Mrs. Jones asked me when you were going to New York, and I said, 'I can't tell you, for my mamma don't wish you to know any of her plans?'"

In my consternation I was tempted to reprove the innocent boy, but, upon a moment's thought, I let the matter pass, knowing that it could not be explained or extenuated, and preferring to lose the friendship of Mrs. Jones rather than sully his pure, trusting spirit with a lesson of worldly policy.

When his young brother, a more quiet boy, but equally fond of visiting, and a great pet and darling with all who knew him, became old enough to betray family secrets, I gave him no caution, but trusted to his common sense. One day, on returning from an errand at a neighboring house, he stood awhile absorbed in thought, and then said:

"Mamma, what shall I say when people ask me, 'What is your mother doing?' and 'What did you have for dinner?'"

"What did you say, my dear?" said I.

"Why," said he, looking bashfully aside, I said, "I guess it is time for me to go."