Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
600. "A general commands, and the soldiers obey. 'God spake,
and it was done : he commanded, and it stood fast.' To sun
and moon and stars He speaks, and they gladly obey Him ; the
seas and lakes and rivers He commands, and they think not of
rebellion; the raging winds and angry storms hear His voice,
and there is a great calm. But man, His son, He commands,
and entreats, but, alas ! how often in vain. 'Oh Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,
but ye would not !' It is as if the man at the head of an army
could get all to obey him except his son."
601. It is recorded of a certain great philosopher, that a
friend who went to visit him met the philosopher's little daughter
before he met the philosopher himself. Knowing that the
father was such a deeply learned man, he thought that the little
girl must have learned something very grave, something very
deep, from such a father, and he said to her : "What is your
father teaching you ?" The little maid looked at him with her
clear blue eyes, and just said: "Obedience." That was what the
great and wise man taught his little girl, and I believe that to
be the most important lesson for children to learn, "to be obedient."
It is a lesson necessary for their happiness, for their
safety, and, I think I may say, for their life. Wynne.
602. "A circus came to town ; and everybody knows how the
music, and the grand tent and horses, set all the little boys
going. Quarters of dollars and shillings are in great demand;
and many a choice bit of money have the circus-riders carried
away which was meant for better purpose. A little boy was
seen looking around the premises with a great deal of curiosity.
'Halloa, Johnny,' said a man who knew him ; 'going to the
circus?' 'No, sir,' answered Johnny; 'father don't like 'em.'
'Oh, well ; I'll give you the money to go, Johnny,' said the man.
'Father don't approve of them,' answered Johnny. 'Well, go
for once, and I'll pay for you.' 'No, sir,' said Johnny; 'my father
would give me money if he thought it were best ; besides, I've
got twenty-five cents in my strong box—twice enough to go.'"
'I'd go, Johnny, for once ; it is wonderful the way the horses
do,' said the man. 'Your father needn't know it.' 'I shan't,''
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