On her way along she observed a boy sitting on the walk near some
shrubbery. He seemed very intent on whatever he was doing. She
approached nearer and saw a poor butterfly denuded of its wings lying
quivering in his hand, and he was looking at it with the most intense
satisfaction.
"My lad, do you know that--
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good. Proverbs xv, 3.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and
whether it be right. Proverbs xx, 11.
"Understand that it is sinful to torment any living thing."
The boy slunk away, realizing for the first time that it was wrong to
torture anything so small as a butterfly.
The disposition to torture seems to be inherent with many boys and if
allowed to grow on them will in time predominate over all good
impulses, and prompt them to commit the most terrible crimes.
For the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of
violence. Ezekiel vii, 23.
If they were taught to cultivate will power to subdue these evil
impulses what a blessing would be derived! How prone to wickedness is
all human nature, and how much we need to pray for help to overcome it!
Watch and pray. Matthew xxvi, 41.