St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-11-22
THE BOY AND HIS FATHER.

THE BOY ND HIS FATRER
Many men do not discover the
true relation of father and son until
it is too late to save the boy. But
some who have been neglectful take
warning in time, and apply that
'1ove that covereth multitude of
sins''-in the boy. Not long ago
gentleman related his experience to
me, as follows:
"Once friend said to me, DO you
know that your boy is reading bad
books?' 1 said, No, don't believe
any such thing My friend said,
Perhaps you had better investigated
l was inclined to treat the whole
matter with contempt, for did not
think it possible for my boy to be
reading bad books without my know
ing it. Finally, however, decided
that common sense is better than
pride, and 1 would investigate. So l
went to my boys room, looked over
his belongings. and at last, under the
mattress, found the books. l put
them back where l found them, and
hunted up the boy. l said to him,
MY boy, what kind of books are
those you have been reading lately?'
He was taken by surprise, and did
not know just what to say. So l
said to him, I would like to see the
books; I've made up my mind to
read the same books as you do FL
nally be stammered out, Papa, /
don't think you would like those
books very WELL l said, I would
like to look at them. 1 want your
opinion of them
That threw him into a very pecu-
liar state of mind, but he went up to
the room and he brought out the
books. We sat down side by side;
| put my arm around him, and as we
turned the pages of the books l said
to him: We'll, what do you think
of that?' as we looked at the pict-
ures and read here and therea sent
ence. His only reply was, We'll, pa
pa, guess it isn't very good Then
1 said to him, Lay the books aside,
and this evening let US come up and
read together; l have something 1
want to read to you
My boy was delighted. The eve
ming came, and he went to his room.
placed the lamp beside the bed, and
lay down where he had lain to read
his book. read story from the
Youths Companion. Before had
finished he had era wled up and was
leaning on my side. Then read him
a story with illustrations from
Science. When l stopped he laid his
head on my shoulder, put his arms
around me, and said: Papa, why
can't l have such reading as that?'
As soon as could control myself
for he had shown me that l was the
sinner-I said: My boy, you shall
have all you want; let US go down
stairs led the way right down to
the stock had laid in, and put out
my books and papers before him.
He looked 1T them a moment; then
picked them up and fairly Rugged
them. We soon decided what to do
with the bad books; we took them
out into the back yard and burned
them.
"Then and there my boy and 1
started out on new career. When
/ can l spend the evening with him;
one reads and the other listens.
Henceforth my boy and 1 are going
to be confidential friends, even if it
takes a little time from bust
ness"
That father discovered some very
important and valuable secrets.
Would that others would set about
the same work. Usually, when the
Christian teacher approaches the
hayward boy or young man, he
finds the boys father-by his neglect
or wrong example, or both-stand-
ing between him and the boy. Quite
frequently the father is protesting
Christian, and his influence decides
the boys case against religious influ
ence. The question is often asked.
why does not the church reach the
boys" and it usually suggests the
still more perplexing question, How
can we reach the fathers, and
through them the boys?"
The gentleman referred to above
said: II believe God has forgiven
my sinful neglect of my boy; hence
forth my service Of God will include
loving and watchful care over the
precious soul He has committed to
me."-[R Rev. w. S. Philpott, in Mich
igan Christian Advocate.