Youth's Department by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1868

Youth's Department.

By James White

“FEED MY LAMBS.”

Willie and Johnny.

I HAVE a touching little story to tell about these two boys. But first let me say that, within the past year, both of them have been baptized, and now belong to the same church in Montcalm Co., Mich. Willie has been regarded, by all who have known him, as a well-meaning child from his infancy. Johnny is an orphan. His father was a faithful minister of the gospel, and died in full faith of the present truth. His good mother soon fell asleep in hope. But on her dying bed committed her three children to the especial care of Willie's parents. This fact has ever made Johnny very near and dear to them, and has served to form a strong bond of union between their dear Willie and Johnny.

In the summer of 1867, Johnny came to live at the ample home of Bro. F., about three miles distant from the home of Willie; and it was thought best for these two boys to spend a day occasionally together. So one day Johnny came to the home of Willie, and as they were doing something in the garden, Johnny hurt Willie; by no means willingly; nor was it for a want of tender regard for him, for these boys were very tender of each other's feelings. It was purely an accident. But Willie's pain was such that he cried aloud. This called Willie's mother to the door, and fearing that he was seriously injured, she earnestly inquired, “What is the matter, Willie?” The boy could hardly speak for pain and crying. And he did not wish to answer the inquiry out of respect to the feelings of his brother Johnny.

The sight, notwithstanding the pain and weeping connected with it, was truly beautiful. There stood Johnny with his arm around his brother, saying, “I did not mean to hurt you, Willie;” and there stood Willie, doing all he could to suppress his weeping, answering, “I know you did not mean to hurt me, Johnny.” The anxious mother still called out, “What is the matter, Willie?” And soon as Willie felt that he could answer in a manner to help the feelings of both his mother and Johnny, he said, in a manly tone of voice, “Please, mother, do not be troubled about me. Just leave us to settle our little difficulties between ourselves.” The mother was at once relieved of her anxiety. Willie's pain subsided, and the two boys seemed happier than ever in the society of each other. What a noble feeling lived in their bosoms after that scene, if never before, that they were fully able to settle their little troubles themselves. Let older disciples be instructed by these Christian boys, and learn the happy art of settling their little troubles among themselves.

JAMES WHITE.