p. 12 | A SON OF GOD

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 31, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 31.

A SON OF GOD.

HENRY M. STANLEY tells that once in the heart of dark Africa a native was dragged before him by some of his followers for stealing a gun. Stanley looked at the gun; it clearly belonged to his expedition. The poor man who had it was frightened at the mention of Stanley’s name, and could hardly find his voice or say a word only, “I am a son of God; I ‘would not steal!” This he repeated again and again. It was all he could say.

Stanley was interested, and it dawned on him that this man was probably one of the converts of some of the missionaries laboring in that region, and he accordingly gave him the gun, and allowed him to go, while they pursued their way.

At the next station where they stopped, they found the gun waiting for them. It appeared that the gun had probably been lost. This man had found it; and when he was set free, he at once went to the missionary for instructions, and by his direction it was sent where Stanley would get it.

But what a light must have touched that darkened son of Africa, who, tho brought up in all vileness, and theft, and sin, had come to realize the glorious dignity of a divine paternity, and say, “I am a son ‘of God; I would not steal.”—Anon.