Willie Mortimer was a kind and affectionate little boy, but he
possessed a hasty temper, which was ever leading him into some harm.
Here, you see, it has just led him into trouble. In trying to get his
mother’s work box away from his sister, he has dropped it, and all
the things have rolled about the floor.
His mother often urged him to strive to govern it; and the big tears
would dampen his little cheeks, as he reflected upon the misdemeanors
which his temper ever urged him to commit. He repented quickly of
his errors, but somehow, he could not “_think enough_,” before his
temper had conquered him. He often desired to overcome it, but felt
discouraged sometimes.
One day, after much enjoyment, he came to his aunt, with whom he was
staying, and said,—
“O, I’ve been so happy, and got along so well to-day, without getting
angry!”
“How so?” exclaimed his aunt, as she smoothed his brown locks.
“I prayed this morning, before I came out of my room, and said, ‘Lead
us not into temptation;’ and I think God hears my prayer, and helps
me to be good,” said Willie.
A subdued light shone from Willie’s dark eyes, as he so confidingly
reposed in grace and help from Heaven to overcome his waywardness.
The sun bade the children all, yea, and the fair earth, his
accustomed “good night,” while Willie still remained a conqueror over
his temper. As he clasped his hands in his evening prayer, he thanked
God for not leading him into temptation, and with abiding faith in
the great Being of love, he laid him down to sleep.
My dear young friends, we all are surrounded with temptation, and
like little Willie, are possessed of human weaknesses; and how much
we need to pray, with earnest faith,—
“Lead us not into temptation.”
[Illustration: Hymn.]