A Timely Correction

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 2, 1882

A Timely Correction.

In one of the important commercial cities of North Germany there once lived a merchant named Muller, who, in his walks about the city often encountered a bright-faced, well-dressed young man, who always took off his hat and bowed to him in the most deferential manner.

The young fellow was an entire stranger to the merchant, but the latter always returned his greeting with a friendly nod, supposing himself to be mistaken by the young man for some one whom he probably resembled.

One day Mr. Muller was invited to the country seat of a friend, and, arriving there at the appointed time, he noticed this young man walking up and down the shady paths of the garden, engaged in earnest conversation with the host.

"Now I shall know who this young gentleman is," thought Mr. Muller, and hastily approached them.

"Allow me," said the host, after exchanging greetings with his friend, "to introduce—"

"It is not necessary, I assure you," interrupted the young man, eagerly, "we have known each other for many years."

"You must be mistaken," said Mr. Muller, "for though in answer to your greetings I have repeatedly bowed to you, still you are entirely unknown to me."

"And yet I insist," replied the young man, "that I have been acquainted with you for a long time, and am delighted to have the opportunity of meeting you here, and to present my heartfelt thanks for the service you once did me."

"You speak in riddles," said Mr. Muller; "how can you be under obligations to me when I do not even know you?"

"It does seem a little mysterious," laughingly answered the young man; "but let us sit down here on the piazza while I throw a little light on the statement."

"Seventeen years ago, when I was a lad of nine, I started to school one morning with my books under one arm and my lunch of bread and butter under the other. I was a poor boy with a big appetite. My luncheon never seemed enough for my hungry stomach, and I used often to envy boys whose mothers could afford to give them choice fruit for their dinner."

"This morning I had been especially dissatisfied. 'If I only had an apple pie with my bread how nice it would be.'"

"My way to school was through the market place, and as I arrived there it seemed the fruit had never looked half so beautiful or desirable. I stood there several moments, gazing at the abundant supply, instead of hastening away from the temptation as I should have done.

"Suddenly an old market woman, who superintended large, rosy-streaked apples, turned her back on her wares to gossip with her neighbors.

"'Such lots and lots,' I thought to myself, 'surely one from so many would never be missed, yet would do me so much good.'"

"Quick as a flash I stretched out my hand and was just about to thrust an apple into my pocket, when a sharp box on the ear caused me to drop the fruit in an agony of terror.

"'Youngster,' said an earnest voice close to my ear, 'have you forgotten the ten commandments? Now I hope this is the first time that you have ever stretched out your hand after goods that are not your own; let it be the last time.'"

"I hung down my head for shame, and only for an instant lifted my eyes from the ground to see who my reprover was.

"When I reached school the words heard were still sounding in my ears. My heart was so full I could scarcely keep from crying. 'Let it be the last time also, let it be the last time also,' again and again confronted me. Bowing my head on the desk, I then resolved that it should indeed be the last time, even as it had been the first; that never as long as I lived would I covet what belonged to another, or strive to gain unlawful possession of it.

"After a few years I left school, and became a clerk in my uncle's counting-room. From there, a year or two later, I went to South America. You will readily believe me when I tell you that there the temptations to a young merchant are not few. I repeatedly had opportunities, which acquaintances of mine did not hesitate to improve, to benefit myself at the expense of others; but every time these presented themselves, those words 'Let it be the last time, also,' reminded me of my duty, and helped me to distinguish between right and wrong.

"I have been back in my native country about five months. I have come back possessed of considerable wealth—but money earned squarely and honestly. Never have I knowingly reached out my hand and taken a penny even that did not rightfully belong to me."

The young man remained silent for a few moments, overcome with emotion; then, reaching forth his hand he took that of Mr. Muller, and exclaimed:—

"Allow me to gratefully grasp the hand that once did me such service."

"And permit me," said Mr. Muller, while the tears came into his eyes, "to love the man who is capable of such gratitude, and who, in after life, so faithfully keeps the resolve made in boyhood."