p. 11 | Unintentionally Wounding Others

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 11, 1906

Unintentionally Wounding Others

It not infrequently happens in the home that a child's motives are misjudged, and that a reprimand, or even punishment, is administered before the child is given an opportunity to explain. The child's sense of justice is outraged, and his heart cries out against it. There are parents, it is sad to relate, who feel that to make an apology to the child in such a case would be belittling to themselves. It is a great and grievous mistake, and does incalculable harm, estranging the child from the parent. The following school incident will illustrate the point:—

A Professor Blackie, of Edinburgh, was lecturing to a class of new pupils. A student rose to read a paragraph, holding his book in his right hand.

“Sir,” shouted Mr. Blackie, “hold your book in your left hand,”—and as the student started to speak.—“no words, sir! Your left hand, I say!”

The pupil held up his left arm, which ended piteously at the wrist. “Sir, I have no left hand,” he said.

Before the professor could say a word, there arose a storm of hisses. Then Mr. Blackie left his place and went down to the student he had unwittingly hurt, put his arm upon the lad's shoulders and drew him close.

“My boy,” said the teacher,—he spoke softly, yet the quietness of the room made every word audible,—“you'll forgive me that I was over-rough? I did not know—I did not know!”

The wound was healed. Scottish lads can cheer as well as hiss, and this the professor soon learned.—Selected.