p. 172 | Ashamed of a Father

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 11.

Ashamed of a Father.

TWO MEN had entered into an agreement to rob one of their neighbors. Everything was planned. They were to enter his house at midnight, break open his chests and drawers, and carry off all the silver and gold they could find.

“He is rich and we are poor,” said they to each other, by way of encouragement in the evil they were about to perform. “He will never miss a little gold, while its possession will make us happy. Besides, what right has one man to all of this world’s goods?”

Thus they talked together. One of these men had a wife and children, but the other had no one in the world to care for but himself. The man who had children went home and joined his family, after agreeing upon a place of meeting with the other at the darkest hour of the coming night.

“Dear father,” said one of the children, climbing upon his knee, “I am so glad you have come home again.”

The presence of his child troubled the man, and he tried to push him away; but his arms clung tightly about his neck, and he laid his face against his cheek, and said in a sweet and gentle voice,—

“I love you, father!”

Involuntarily the man drew the innocent and loving one to his bosom, and kissed him.

There were two older children in the man’s dwelling, a boy and a girl. They were poor, and these children worked daily to keep up the supply of bread, made deficient more through idleness in the father than from lack of employment. These children came home soon after their father’s return, and brought him their earnings for the day.

“O father,” said the boy, “such a dreadful thing happened! Henry Lee’s father was arrested to-day for robbing; they took him out of our shop when Henry was there, and carried him off to prison. I was so sad when I saw Henry weeping. And he hung his head for shame of his own father! Only think of that!”

“Ashamed of his father!” thought the man. “And will my children hang their heads, also, in shame? No, no; that shall never be.”

At the hour of midnight, the man who had no children to throw around him a sphere of better influence, was waiting at the place of rendezvous for him whose children had saved him. But he waited in vain. Then he said, “I will do the deed myself, and take the entire reward.”

And he did according to his word. When the other man went forth to his labor on the next day, he learned that his accomplice had been taken in the act of robbery, and was already in prison.

“Thank Heaven for virtuous children!” said he with fervor. “They have saved me. Never will I do an act that will cause them to blush for their father.”—Sel.