Article March 28, 1914 Issue

Observing the Command of Love

CLARA I. COLBY

While the beauty of the day and the reign of peace and harmony were holding me in thrall recently, an occasion was afforded me for gaining a beautiful lesson in obedience. A dear little fellow about three years of age had been coaxing his mother to allow him to go to see a neighbor. Knowing that the neighbor was busy at this time of the day, his mother had forbidden him to go; but later, glancing out of the window, she saw him open the gate and start away. She immediately called to him, admonishing him not to go outside the gate. The little fellow, looking at her rather quizzically, asked her to go in the house, saying that he would not go through the gate. The mother did go back into the house, but as his tone and look did not express obedience, she watched a bit, and saw him quickly proceed to climb over the gate.

After gaining the sidewalk, which led straight to where his will called him, he paused, started, hesitated, looked about him, and hastily climbing back, ran around and into the house with arms held up to his mother, saying, "Me a good boy, now, mamma, a good boy."

What a lesson, thought I, for us older children! The little fellow had never been subjected to corporal punishment, but had been corrected in love. When error thought to tempt him, he listened, heard the call of Truth, and hastening with loving impulse to the one he wanted to please, he declared that he was a good boy. He thus demonstrated meekness, humility, confidence, obedience, and true affection. Here indeed was an expression of strength from that omnipotent source whose joy it is to give unto us. And we, as older children, when tempted to choose our own way, with thought fixed on the flesh-pots of Egypt, if we will but listen and heed the call, we too can return to our Father and in humility realize that "the love of Christ constraineth." Resting in the sweet assurance that Love's correcting rod will guide and govern us when we in humility seek the narrow way, let us strive for that Mind to be in us "which was also in Christ Jesus," and respond ever to his call, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."

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