“His own most holy book declares,
“He loves good children still;
“And that he answers all their pray’rs,
“Just as a tender father will.”
His kind father also reminded Maurice of the example of our Saviour, who employed himself in doing his Father’s will: and he asked Maurice whether he was happy when he did not try to please God, but did the very things from which Christ is ready to deliver his children, when they really pray to him for the forgiveness of their sins.
I am sorry to say Maurice did not attend to this kind advice, and his father determined to let him experience more of the unhappiness which follows from such conduct, so he let him go on his own way till Saturday.
He then took Maurice for a walk, and they came to a pleasant meadow, which was separated from the road by a very high and strong thorn hedge. Perceiving that Maurice was walking with his eyes fixed on the ground, and making faces, his father suddenly turned into the meadow, by the gate which they were just passing, and walked along a path on the other side of the hedge.
Maurice had gone some distance before he found that he was alone, he then looked about for his father, and at length saw him in the field.
“Father, father,” cried he, “why have you left me? Wait for me, pray wait for me.”
Father. Come to me; this path is very pleasant, and the meadow is full of beautiful flowers.
Maurice. But the hedge is so thick, I cannot get to you. Oh! it has pricked my hands so badly. Papa, how did you get there?
F. Try again; see if you cannot push the branches aside, and put your foot firm upon the bank.
Maurice tried again, but he only pricked his hands, and scratched his legs; at last he began to cry.