Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-07-11


Mother, what i to be my text this week =
% g Blessed arc the peacomakers,n answered
willie looked a little surprised as he asked
WIN aid YOU choose that verse motherF
Because, my son, think you ought TO
practice t. / know you have been trying
hard. lately, 10 govern your own temper, and
think You will succeed, because you don't
often trust In yourself but pray for Gods
q Yes. mother" said Willie, Al have done
that ever since YOU talked TO me about pray
ing when the angry feeling comes and God
does sSnd Il away. Sometimes It fs worse
Than atofhers. and have TO walk away from
,be hovs and pretend TO be fixing my kite or
doing something else, while say Bible verses
or piece of hymn, until the bad temper
goes off"
"Well Willie dear, prayer will help you to
be peacemaker When two of your play
mates get to calling angry names and making
ready for a fight, pray in your heart to God
for them as you would for yourself and then
speak to them and try to persuade them to
stop auarrelng. Sometimes, by giving up
some little thing yourself, such as your turn
at marbles, OF lending your kite TO one that
hasnone, you can restore good temper; and
even if doing this costs yourself some self
denial, inst imagine, Willie, that you hear our
dear Savior saying to you, "blcssed are the
peacemakers."
Willie kissed Ills mother, and taking his new
kite, started for the playground. 1t was a
holiday, and some twenty kites were already
in the air. Willie laid his down on the ground
while he took knot out of the tail, mean
while wondering to himself whether there
would be any occasion that day for him to act
the peacemaker
Presently loud words caught his ear, and
looking round he saw two boys standing over
broken kite; their angry faces and harsh
tones showing that passion was raging in their
hearts
"Tll pay you for it, sir p
"It wasn't my fault didn't know it was
there y
"You did. You broke it on purpose, you
rascal"
Say that again, and I'll give you good
lickingT
Lick me You'd better try it w Here he
pulled off his jacket and threw it on the
ground; then doubling up his fists, cried,
tauntinglv Now come on Just come on !
I'm ready to be licked Come and try itr'
His antagonist was preparing ito try 1t,
when Willie, kite in hand and prayer in his
heart stepped between. Stop a moment,
boys Maybe we can settle this without a
fight"
3'You keep out of the way, Bill Allen, or
you'll get knocked down r shouted the boy
whose coat was off
"Dan, let me speak first, before you get
to fighting"
sWhat do you want 2" said Dan, shortly.
"Just tell me is it about the kite that you're
anglyT
"Yes, replied Dan, turning round to look at
the fragments She was the best kite in the
field, and Dick Bell has ruined herw And
again he clenched his fists and aimed blow
at Dick, which Willie caught on his right arm.
1t stung a little but Willie only said, "Come,
Dan, don't pound your friends Now look
here Ifyou'll give this up-fghting, mean
you shall have my kite, which is a real
'highhye,' and better than yours, guess"
do you mean to say that you'll gre it to
me for nothing ~
"No; III give it to you for not fighting"
"Why don't you want me to ight?" asked
Dan very much puzzled at don't hurt you"
mo Dan, but it is wrong"
"But don't see what business it is of yours
if we choose to fight"
Willie's face flushed little as he answered,
earnestly, "My verse for this week is Blessed
are the peacemakers'
Dan stopped down over the broken kite and
appeared to be trying to fit the broken pieces
together; but am sure he was only thinking
of Willie's words. Presently he looked uI
and said, in his usual tone, ',Dick, did you
really not do this on purpose ?"
NO, Dan, l tell the truth. didn't know il
was there, and l am very sorry that broke it
and would have said so, if you hadn't got mad
in such hurry If you'll let me, I'll make
you another exactly like it, Eve got some cap
ital paper at home"
"But this is Dams now" said Willie, hold
ing out his kite
mo" said Dan "Pm not quite so mean as
that, old fellow Keep your kite; and you
shall teach me to keep my temper. Shake
hands, Dick! This is better than black eyes
and bloody noses, isn't itY
As they walked off together, sweetly tC
Willies heart came his Masters approving
words, Blessed are the peacemakers.