EXPLAINING THE DIVINE LIFE.
After Bessie's conversion Mrs. Worthington's talks to her were often on
the subject of the divine life within--how to care for it and nourish
it, so that it might not die nor become blighted. She sometimes compared
the young Christian's experience to that of a new-born babe. "You know,"
said she, "the little one must be carefully fed, and tenderly guarded
against everything harmful. Even a slight breeze blowing upon its little
body, if unprotected, might result in death. But as the child grows
older and stronger, it gradually becomes accustomed to the rude elements
about it and can, with comparative safety, be brought in contact with
them. The Christ life, new-born in the human heart, is just as sensitive
and needs the same tender care. Guard it carefully, Bessie. It must be
constantly nourished by prayer and the Word of God. Seek to become
established by the grace of sanctification; then you will be better
able to meet temptation and persecution. Christ is your shepherd, and he
wants to lead you, his lamb, into green pastures and beside still
waters.
"A person may profess to be a Christian, Bessie; but unless he has a
change of heart and affections, he is what the Bible terms a wolf in
sheep's clothing, and not one of the gentle lambs of the Savior's fold.
The profession does not amount to anything when the heart is full of
envy, hatred, jealousy, love of self, and a drawing toward the world. A
person with a profession only, may appear for a time to be quite
lamb-like; but sooner or later the old nature will manifest itself, for
it can not be hidden long."
"I think, Mama," said Bessie, "I understand you--but you spoke of the
experience of sanctification; please tell me what that means."
As briefly as possible, the mother explained that the second cleansing
of the heart takes away that evil nature which causes man to want to
disobey God.
Not long after this talk Bessie had an experience in school that helped
her to comprehend her mother's words. To be put back in her studies was
hard, but to have to give up her old teacher, to whom she was strongly
attached, was harder still. Her regret on the latter account, however,
was of short duration; for her new teacher was even more lovable than
the old one, and, best of all, she was a Christian. She and Bessie not
only got along well, but became warm friends and enjoyed sweet
fellowship in the Spirit. One day, however, something happened that
severely tested their love, but, in the end, only deepened it.
Bessie's seatmate, a girl named Nora, about Bessie's own age, was very
mischievous. She did so many things deserving punishment that the
teacher was often perplexed to know what course to take with her. Some
one has said that "misery likes company." This was certainly true of
Nora. She knew that the teacher and Bessie were good friends, and she
longed to see Bessie get into trouble and receive some punishment.
Knowing that Bessie tried hard to obey the rules of the school, Nora saw
that she should have to lay some cunning plan or she should not realize
her wish. She began to watch for an opportunity.
A streamlet ran past the schoolhouse. While Bessie and Nora were playing
near it one day, Bessie fell down in some mud. Just as she fell, the
school-bell rang and they had to hurry back to their lessons. Fearing
that some of the mud might have splattered on her face, Bessie asked if
her face was clean. Nora answered quickly, "Oh yes; do hurry up." Nora
felt that her chance had come, and she made up her mind to get her
seatmate into trouble, if possible. Hurrying into the schoolroom, she
whispered to one of the boys, telling him to ask Bessie as she passed
what was the matter with her face, but to say nothing more. When Bessie
came down the aisle, she saw this boy looking at her with an amused
expression, and gave him close attention. As she passed him, he
whispered, "Bessie, what is the matter with your face?" and then turned
quickly away. Fully convinced that her face was dirty, Bessie sat down
very much ashamed. Nora knew how her seatmate would feel and prepared
herself for the question that she was sure would be asked. As it was
time for the writing-lesson, she stuck her finger in inks of different
colors; and, when Bessie asked where her face was dirty, she quickly
pointed out the places, each time leaving a large spot of ink. Bessie,
wholly unconscious of the ink-spots on her face, thought what a dreadful
sight she must be, and asked permission of the teacher to wash. When the
teacher turned, she saw, not mud, but ugly ink-spots. Supposing that
Bessie had put them there, she shook her head. Her surprise was great.
She felt that she ought to do something about it; but, being undecided,
she turned away.
Bessie became much worried; for many eyes were turned upon her, and some
of the pupils were laughing. She wanted to hide, but could not, and kept
wondering why a little mud should cause so much amusement. One girl,
Anna, tried secretly to pass her a wet handkerchief, but this Nora
quickly caught from her and hid. Poor Bessie was now ready to cry, and
again asked permission to wash her face; but her teacher answered, "No;
you must go to writing."
Bessie naturally had a high temper and was inclined to be stubborn when
she felt that she was being imposed upon; but she had always held her
temper in subjection, as she knew it to be wrong to give way to anger.
On this occasion, however, it seemed impossible to control herself. When
the teacher said, "Go to writing," Bessie obeyed; but she was so angry
that she hardly knew what she was doing. Suddenly she thought, "If I
daub a lot of ink on my face, perhaps she will let me wash"; and she
rubbed some on with her finger. But alas! this did not work as she had
expected. The teacher saw her put it on and concluded that she had put
the other on also; so she said, "Bessie, you may go and sit in my
chair." As she said this, all the stubbornness in Bessie's nature arose.
She did not move; and when the teacher said sternly, "Are you going to
obey?" she shook her head and caught hold of the seat. At this moment
Nora whispered, "If that were me, she'd make me go." The teacher heard
the words and looked first at Nora and then at Bessie. She hesitated for
a moment, then walked over to Bessie, took her by the shoulders and
jerked her from the seat, and then dragged her up to the chair and set
her down, telling her to study. "I have no book," retorted Bessie. The
teacher ordered one brought, and, leaving her, went to her other duties.
What a moment for Bessie! Too angry to study, she sat there thinking of
the dreadful scene she had created. Her heart burned with shame. Oh!
what could she do?
Anna, the girl who had tried to hand her the wet handkerchief, had
noticed all of Nora's actions and had determined to help Bessie, if
possible. On pretext of looking up a word in the dictionary, Anna went
forward, laid a wet rag where Bessie could reach it, and returned to her
seat. Bessie eagerly took the rag and rubbed her face. She was surprised
to see the different colors of ink appear upon it. How they came to be
there she did not know; but she did not think about them long, for
something far worse began to trouble her. She knew that she had lost the
grace of God out of her heart. Oh, how wretched she felt! Would God
forgive her again? Yes; she knew he would; for she had read that, "The
Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be
of a contrite spirit." This thought was a great comfort to her. But, oh!
what about her teacher? How could her teacher ever love and respect her
again? She would ask her pardon as soon as possible, but would she
forgive her?
It was not long until the teacher went to her desk for something, but
she took no notice of Bessie. Beaching out very timidly, Bessie touched
her and said, "O Miss Harrington, won't you please forgive me?" But the
teacher pretended not to hear her, and turned quickly away. The next
thought was, "What will Mama think and say? Oh, if only she did not have
to know about it!" With these thoughts coursing through her mind, Bessie
was unable to study; and by the time school closed, she was in great
distress.
After closing the school, the teacher paid no attention to Bessie for
some time; but when she had finished her evening duties and all the
pupils except Nora, Anna, and Bessie had left the building, she turned
to Bessie, fell upon her knees, and threw both arms around her. Bessie
sobbed, "Oh, please forgive me! please forgive me!" For some time the
teacher made no reply, and Nora muttered, "Catch me asking her
forgiveness!" At last the teacher, looking up through tearful eyes,
said, "Bessie dear, it is you who must forgive me. I should have been a
better example to you this afternoon. Let us pray." Then two sad hearts
were lifted to God in humble, earnest prayer that he would forgive them
for Jesus' sake. God heard their prayers, gave back the sweet peace that
they had lost out of their souls, and bound their hearts together in
Christian love and fellowship.
Nora went her way, provoked with her seatmate and angry because the joke
had not worked quite as she had expected. Anna, slipping her arm through
Bessie's walked home with her and told her all that Nora had done.
Bessie was surprised. She understood why things had taken the course
they had; but, knowing it was really Satan, who had been trying to
overthrow her own soul, she did not censure her seatmate.
Her only thought now was of how sad her mother would feel. Bessie
decided that the occurrence was too dreadful to tell her about and that
she would keep it a secret. This was her decision until she saw her
mother coming down the walk to meet her. Having always told her mother
everything, Bessie did not know how it would seem to keep a secret from
her; so when they met, she forgot all about her decision and began at
once to tell her mother all that had happened.
Mrs. Worthington listened very carefully to Bessie's story and then
said: "Bessie, I am so glad you have told me all this yourself, and have
held nothing back nor blamed Nora. God will take care of the matter, and
I believe that your lesson is a lasting one. And now, my child; you can
see your great need of sanctification. Had that ugliness and
stubbornness been taken out of your heart, you would have been spared
much suffering. I trust that you will earnestly seek and obtain this
grace."
It was well that Bessie told her mother everything, for Nora did all in
her power to circulate the story and to make it as bad as possible.
Nora's mother, thinking it best to tell Mrs. Worthington about Bessie's
misbehavior, made a special call at the Worthington home for that
purpose. Bessie's mother listened to what her neighbor's story was and
then smilingly replied, "Yes, I know all about it; Bessie told me before
she reached home. I am so glad that I have the confidence of my child.
We are companions; I love her company, and she loves mine." These words
sounded strange to the visitor. She could not understand. "It seems
strange," said she, "that Bessie loves to stay at home and to be with
you so much. Doesn't she ever get lonesome? Nora is restless and tired
when she has to stay at home, and says I am too old for her."
Ah! here was the secret of the difference between the two girls. One
mother had allowed her daughter to choose her own company and had not
inquired into their plays and talks; whereas the other knew the secrets
of her child's heart and could advise and instruct her in any matter.
Between Bessie and her mother there was a tie of which Nora and her
mother knew nothing. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.