THOSE PILLS by Parrie L. H. Roberson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 31.

THOSE PILLS.

By Parrie L. H. Roberson

BY PARRIE L. H. ROBERSON.

WHEN a small child I was frequently troubled with sick spells, which to my childish imagination seemed to have a knack at calling forth every bitter thing in the house to my assistance, and if there was not enough on hand to insure my recovery, the doctor was sent for; then we had bitter things in bottles, boxes, and papers. And especially do I remember the awful pills which they sometimes pounded into small pieces and mixed into a bite of baked apple or sweet syrup and presented to me with these words: “Now take this nice syrup and swallow it right down; it’s good for you and will help to make you well.”

But I very soon learned that it was not the sweet that was expected to make me well, but the bitter-tasting stuff. The sweet made the dose more bearable, but the bitter was bitter still. I also soon found out why they wanted me to swallow it quickly; for I noticed the longer I was about it the more disagreeable it tasted.

Years have passed since then, and my children and apothecaries’ pills are strangers to each other; but there is another kind of pill of which I wish to speak, and I believe it is safe to say that not a soul lives to-day, or has ever lived in ages past in the civilized world, to the years of understanding, who has not tasted it in some form. It has existed from the beginning of sin, and its use will be continued to the end thereof. It belongs to the things that are not new under the sun. In bitterness and in the uncertainty of its effect it is not unlike the apothecary’s pill. Its effect depends a great deal upon the condition of the subject to which it is given, and it is not always best to mix it with sweets; for this might prevent it from accomplishing the purpose for which it was intended. Therefore it is very necessary for one to thoroughly understand the case before attempting to administer the remedy. But it is a deplorable fact that where there is one person willing to accept and profit by the use of this pill, there are one hundred who refuse to accept it as anything better than an insult. Solomon spoke of this pill as “reproof,” and this is the name by which it is commonly known. It is a thing not to be hated or disregarded; for “he that hateth reproof shall die,” “but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” This is what a wise king, Solomon, says of its power, and he also speaks of its effect upon children; hear him: “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Wonderful pill when properly used, but, like all other medicines, it is usually easier to give than to take!

S. Helena, Cal.