THE POWER OF LOVE by John W. Kirton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 34.

THE POWER OF LOVE.

By John W. Kirton

BY JOHN W. KIRTON, LL.D.

LITTLE Harry Baker was enjoying a game with his school companions in the garden during the half holiday from school duties, when his father came to the door and in a harsh tone of authority called to him:—

"Here, Harry, I want you."

For a moment or two Harry did not seem to notice what his father said, but continued to play.

"Do you hear what I say?" shouted his father even more sternly than before. "Come this very minute."

With reluctant steps and sad-looking face Harry left his companions and approached his father as if afraid to come near him.

"Come, lift your feet a little quicker," said his father sharply. "When I speak I expect to be obeyed instantly, so don't come creeping along like a snail, but make haste. Take this note to Mr. Francis, and run as fast as you can, and don't let the grass grow under your feet on the way. Now look sharp and be back as quick as you can."

Taking the note from his father's hand, Harry moved away at a slow pace, with a cloud upon his face, which indicated that he was not by any means pleased or anxious to show his respect for his father's command. Observing this, his father called out with even more sternness:—

"Is that doing as I ordered? Didn't I tell you to be quick? Mind, if you are not back again within half an hour I will give you the cane about your back."

The boy, thus warned, made some show of quickening his pace, but evidently his feelings were hurt by his father's harsh words. By nature he inherited some of the qualities of pride and stubbornness which marked his father's character, and which, when once aroused, would lead him to act as if he was utterly careless, or fearless of the consequences. In this case he certainly felt that he had been treated unkindly and unjustly, and therefore realized that a wrong had been done to him. These feelings deepened as the distance increased between him and his companions whom he had left at play.

"I declare I never had to do with such a disobedient boy," said Mr. Baker to his friend Mr. Archer, who was waiting for him to complete an order which he had given; "he seems to take no notice of what I say to him; my words make scarcely any impression on him."

"Perhaps it is because they are not the right kind of words," replied Mr. Archer.

"Right kind of words! What kind of words ought a father to use towards his child when he requires a thing to be done?"

"Kind ones," was Mr. Archer's quiet answer. "They are always more powerful than harsh ones. They are like the gentle rain and the refreshing dews, while harsh ones bend and break like the wild tempest. Kind words call forth and develop loving affections, while harsh ones harden the heart and blight all the nobler aspirations of a young spirit. Try your boy with kind words, and you will find they will prove a hundred-fold more powerful, or I shall be very much mistaken."

For a moment or two Mr. Baker felt hurt by this faithful rebuke from his friend, but better thoughts prevailed, and he said:—

"Thank you; I will try your plan. My own thus far certainly has failed."

"Do, and let me know the result," said Mr. Archer, as, taking up his parcel, he went on his way.

"I begin to think Archer is right," said Mr. Baker to himself as he went back into his office behind the shop. "I certainly should not like to be spoken to as harshly as I speak to the boy, or to be ordered about as inconsiderately as I in this and other cases have done. I really must 'set a watch carefully over the words of my mouth,' or I may completely drive him into open defiance of my authority."

Occupied with such thoughts, the time quickly and profitably passed away, but he became more and more convinced of the wisdom of trying the effect of kind words. Looking up at the clock he saw an hour had gone since the boy was sent, and a passing feeling of anger sprang up within him, but the faithful words of Mr. Archer rose to his mind, and he checked them by exclaiming:—

"No; I certainly will give the thing a fair trial. I've tried the other kind long enough to know it fails. And if this plan works no better, I shall feel satisfied in giving the boy up to take his own course."

Just then Harry's steps were heard, and he came slowly in, with a face and manner manifesting fear in every way. He knew he had lingered much longer on the way than he ought to have done, and expected, therefore, the threatened punishment would be his lot. Inwardly, however, he had resolved to receive it in a spirit of angry defiance. Having reported the result of his errand, he waited for the expected outburst of anger and reproach. To his surprise, however, he heard his father say, in a cheerful and kindly tone of voice:—

"That's a good boy. You have done well. You can go and play again until tea time."

Harry could scarcely believe his ears. To be praised for doing reluctantly and so slowly what he had done was more than he could understand. The more he thought of it the greater became his surprise. He felt and knew he had disobeyed his father in spirit and in act, and he was unhappy. Harsh words had clouded his mind and aroused his anger, but kind words had subdued him. Instead of joining his companions, he went and sat down in a quiet corner of an arbor in the garden by himself. Tears at length burst from his eyes as he realized his acts of disobedience, and he wished he could go and tell his father how sorry he was. While thus occupied he heard his father, in a strange kind of voice, gently call:—

"Harry, Harry, my boy!"

"Did you call, father?" he replied, coming out of the little arbor where he had been sitting.

"Yes. I am sorry to call you away again so soon, but Mr. Thomas wants this parcel taken to the station to catch the next train, and there is not a moment to lose. Will you run with it, please?"

"Yes, with pleasure," said Harry, and off he started, looking delighted, and manifesting no hesitation to hurry as quickly as his feet would carry him.

"There is no doubt about the truth of Archer's words, that's evident," said Mr. Baker as he saw his son bounding down the street with a light step. "There is a mighty power in a kind word. God grant that I may never forget the lesson. It is easier to draw than to drive, that's certain. What a pity I have not seen this before. How much sunshine it would have brought into our home and his heart, and how much sorrow it would have hindered from crossing our path! It is true 'kind words will never die,' while harsh words stir up anger in a thousand ways."

While thus musing, Harry came back, and, with a bright and happy face, entered the office, saying, "Can I do any other thing for you, father?"

"Yes, my boy. Come and kiss me and help me to be a loving and kind father, instead of a harsh and unkind one."

And they both wept tears of joy as they each realized the magic power of the loving spirit which had taken possession of their hearts.—Christian Commonwealth.