Then was the time for Jack and Tom to have stepped forward and honestly owned their share in the fault. But I appeal to those who, like Joseph, have weakly yielded to the persuasions of those who tempted them to do wrong, whether the companions who have led them into trouble are the ones to try to help them out of it. The Higgins both were silent, and for this time escaped the punishment which is certain, sooner or later, to overtake those who persevere in a course of rebellion. Joseph’s heart swelled, a choking feeling was in his throat: to be thus disgraced before all, and debarred from a treat which he would so greatly have enjoyed, and to know that the punishment was just, turned all the pleasure of the day into bitterness.
Mrs. Graham saw his look of distress, and her gentle heart pitied the boy, though she felt too strongly how important the lesson might be to him through the whole course of his future life, to relax in her firm resolve. She followed him, however, as he sadly walked away to a more retired part of the garden. She laid her hand on his arm: he started, for he had not heard her noiseless step as she approached.
“You are very sorry for what has happened, Joseph—I see that you are; you are very sorry to have displeased a friend and forfeited a pleasure.”
Joseph looked fixedly on the ground, while his eyes gradually filled with tears. “They made me do it!” at last he muttered, in a low tone. Without appearing to notice the interruption, the lady proceeded: “I should have willingly overlooked your fault, had it been the first brought under my observation; but it is not long since I had reason to believe you guilty of a much more serious offence. You have now only disobeyed an earthly friend—you had then broken the solemn law of your God. You have deprived yourself now of a little pleasure; but who can say how great will be the loss, both in this world and in the next, of him who wilfully profanes the holy Sabbath of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!”
MRS. GRAHAM AND JOSEPH.
“They made me do it!” again murmured the boy.
“Heaven forgive them for tempting a weak brother; but their fault does not justify you. What would you say of the soldier who could be persuaded to go over to the side of the enemy? or the subject who, from fear of a laugh or a jest, could desert the cause of his king? Ask strength from the Lord to stand firm in the right, though you alone should defend it: fear nothing but the displeasure of a holy God. Keep his Sabbaths unbroken, and rest assured that you shall find them yield rich fruits of peace and of joy. Oh, follow not the multitude to do evil. When sinners entice, consent thou not. They may laugh down your doubts and your scruples now, but they cannot excuse your sin, nor save you from its punishment in the terrible day of judgment.”
When sinners entice,
And from thee would wrest