The Little Foxes by Worthie Harris Holden

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1916

The Little Foxes

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

If we should see a great giant-enemy, Goliath, stalking down the path to the very threshold of our doorway, what should we not do? We should summon all our courage, strength, and wits to protect our own. But the great enemy of your home and mine comes in more insidious ways. It is the little foxes that spoil the vines,—these tender vines of God’s own planting.

Deceit is of Satan. He is the father of it, from the beginning. In these last days especially, deceit permeates every stratum of society.

I see a father and mother who are church members. They are telling their daughter to crouch down so the conductor on the railway coach will not notice her size and age. The act is successful. Later these parents mourn the fact that their girl has given up the faith, and is out in the world. They “tried so hard to bring her up in the way she should go.”

A mother is urging her children to endeavor to pass old street-car transfers. The conductor may not notice. They must have a nickel in reserve, however, in case he refuses to accept.

Father shows the son and daughter how to put large potatoes on the bottom and top layers of the sack, and how to arrange the best berries on the top of the box.

“Mrs. Brown is coming up the walk, mother.”

“Oh, I wish it were any one else!” the mother replies. The children look on in astonishment as Mrs. Brown is greeted, “I am simply delighted to see you!”

Outside a place of forbidden amusement a father hesitates. Assuring himself that there is no one in sight with whom he and his family are acquainted, he enters, followed by his son.

But why make a list of so-called “white lies” and “worldly-wise” deeds?

From the mothers and fathers of the Bible we may learn much. Behold Rebekah, who has taught her favorite son obedience, and inspired in him a longing for divine favor. She is ambitious to have him receive the blessing. God has promised, but Rebekah yearns to see its fulfilment. She does not trust Jehovah and bide his time, but plans to take matters into her own hands. Watch her plot the deception. Jacob has scruples against it, but his mother’s counsel finally prevails. She exults in her triumph, but only for a moment. Both she and her beloved Jacob suffer from self-reproach and condemnation. Rebekah to her old age is deprived of the comfort of her son’s companionship.

We all earnestly desire to stand with the overcomers, of whom it is said, “In their mouth was found no guile [“no lie,” R. V.],” and we want our children there with us.

Recently I heard a brother tell how he was out walking hand in hand with his little boy. “Look, papa!” cried the child, “I am walking in your shadow!” That is the way they usually walk, these children of ours.

Only the Holy Spirit can enlighten our eyes to see the scope of God’s commandments; and if we seek for it with all our hearts, God will give us more abundant grace to keep them in every detail, and finally to be found faultless “before the presence of his glory.”