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And then there was another incident connected with the resurrection of Jesus which shows his tenderness still more touchingly. He arranged matters so that Peter might have a private interview with him, early in the day on which he rose from the dead. St. Luke tells us, Ch. xxiv: 34, that Jesus “appeared unto Simon.” And St. Paul says that—“he was seen of Cephas.” I. Cor. xv: 5. This was a meeting that Peter had with the Master whom he had denied, all by himself. We are not told what took place at this meeting. Peter never said a word about it; and it was too sacred for any one else to intrude upon. But we can very well imagine what was said and done. We can imagine how the poor penitent disciple would sob, as if his heart were breaking, when he saw his injured Master. We can fancy we see him throwing himself at the feet of Jesus and bathing them with bitter, burning tears, as he begged to be forgiven. And then we can think of the kind and gentle words that Jesus would speak to him. How tenderly he would assure him of his free forgiveness! How he would tell him that he loved him still! and how willing he was to put him back in his old place as a disciple, and let him go and preach salvation for lost sinners through his death and resurrection! How kind it was in Jesus thus to give Peter an opportunity of making up with him, when they were all alone by themselves!
Let us never forget the tenderness of Jesus, as shown by these two incidents. And let us try, like him, to be loving and gentle and kind to all. See how much good may be done by those who imitate the example of Christ in this respect.
“The Power of Kindness.” An English merchant had taken passage on board a Turkish vessel, on the Mediterranean Sea. During the voyage his attention was called to an interesting man on the vessel, who was a slave belonging to the captain. He had frequent conversations with him and found him to be a kind-hearted, active, and intelligent person. In the course of their conversations together, he learned that the man had been born free, but had been taken captive in war, and was now a slave for life.
The merchant felt a great sympathy for the poor captive and had a desire to get him released. He inquired what it would cost to purchase his freedom. The sum named was more than the whole profit of his voyage. Still he could not give up the thought. He offered the captain a price for his slave. The offer was accepted. The slave overheard this conversation. He supposed the merchant was going to purchase him, that he might keep him as his own slave. This made him very angry. He sprang forward and said, with great excitement, “You call yourself a lover of freedom, an enemy to slavery, wherever found, and yet you are purchasing me!”
The merchant turned and looked kindly on him, as he calmly said, “My friend, I have bought you to set you at liberty. Now you are a free man.”
In a moment the storm of passion was stilled. The slave burst into tears; and falling at the feet of his deliverer, he exclaimed, “You have taken my heart captive! I am your servant forever!”
Few of us may have the opportunity of showing kindness as this merchant did. But every boy and girl in the land may follow the example of the noble lad whose kindness to the aged is told in these simple lines:
SOMEBODY’S MOTHER.
“The woman was old, and ragged and gray,