POOR BROTHER BROWN by Mrs. Ogden Lewis

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 21, 1906

POOR BROTHER BROWN.

By Mrs. Ogden Lewis

YES, poor Brother Brown. His feelings were so often wounded by his brethren; they did not seem to have brotherly love for him, and his heart was grieved over the many remarks that were made reflecting on him.

One day after a certain brother had nearly "killed" him, he decided to walk out by himself to brood over his trials and pity himself—as no one else would—so thought he. As he came near the border of the woods, he noticed a party of boys stoning a mud turtle. He hastened to the spot, while the boys ran farther away, continuing the stoning. As he drew near, it put out its head, but as the stones came, it drew its head back within its hard shell. Said Brother Brown:

"That reminds me of the way my brethren stone me. You poor little turtle; there's no one to pity. How it must frighten you! How it must hurt your feelings!"

At that moment a ragged little waif rushed out from the corner of the rail fence, saying:

"Why, mister, he don't keep his feelings out where they can get hurt. He hides them in his shell."

"What are his feelings, my little lad? what do you know about a turtle's feelings?"

"Why, sure," said the boy, "his feelings is hisself, o' course."

"Ah, that strikes me forcibly!" said Brother Brown. His feelings are himself. My feelings are myself; and I must not keep them out where they can get hurt. Like the turtle, I must hide them." A deep sigh, and he whispered, "Lord, I give myself to Thee." A change came over his countenance as he said, "Where do you live, my boy?"

"O, anywhere and everywhere!"

"Where is your mother?"

"Dead," and the tears came thick and fast.

"Why, how do you get along in this world with no friends? Are people kind to you?"

"O I guess so! I don't stop to think much about that; mama told me when she was dying that I must learn to have no feelings and I would be happier and get along better. I sleep most anywhere nights, and the hotel-keeper lets me have leavings from the tables to eat, and that's good enough for me; so I get along somehow, and feel happy only when I think of mama. Papa died 'fore I was born, and she left me with relatives who turned me out o' doors, but I don't let it hurt my feelings, 'cause I 'member what she told me."

Brother Brown's heart was softened, and the dirty little hand was placed in the large, strong hand, as the two walked on together. When he could control his voice (for he had been weeping) he said:

"Little boy, you shall have father, mother, and home as long as I live, if you will walk home with me. I have a nice home and all heart could wish for, but have been a selfish man, and you and the turtle have taught me a lesson. Thank God."

The two went rejoicing, and Heaven alone knows which of the two was the happier. That night Brother Brown prayed:

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."

And the next Sabbath the blessing of the Lord rested upon him as he told the story of the boy and the turtle and confessed his sin.

His brethren, one after another, arose and expressed their love for him, told how they had tried to help him, and how many times they united their petitions in his behalf. Self had misrepresented their motives and caused all his sorrow.

Now self was hid with Christ in God, and all the poor in the place knew it. How do you think they found it out?