A Prisoner's Fine Paid

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

A Prisoner's Fine Paid

Two men who had been friends and companions in their youth met in the police court, the one on the magistrate's bench, the other in the prisoner's dock.

The case was tried, and the prisoner found guilty. Would the judge, in consideration of their friendship years before, forbear to pass judgment?—No, he must fulfil his duty; justice must be done, the law of the land be obeyed. He gave out the sentence—fourteen days' hard labor, or a fine of ten pounds.

The condemned man had nothing to pay, so the prison cell was before him. But as soon as he had pronounced the sentence, the judge rose from the bench, threw aside the magistrate's robes, and stepping down to the dock, stood beside the prisoner, paid his fine for him, and then said, “Now, John, you are coming home with me to supper.” It is just so with the sinner; God can not overlook sin; justice must be done, and sentence pronounced; but Christ himself pays the fine, and the sinner is free.—Selected.