As Grandfather Does

In a village in Germany lived a peasant named Jacob with his wife Anna and their one little boy. This child had the blessing of a pious grandfather, who from his very earliest years had made his grandson an object of earnest prayer. It was his grandfather who chose for him the name of John, saying, “May he be beloved of God in time and throughout eternity.”

Although this good old man lived six miles from the village, he often visited the little boy, and he would often lay his hand upon his head and say, “The Lord bless thee, my child; the Lord bless thee and keep thee as the apple of His eye.” And, as we shall see, his prayers were not left unanswered.

On the day on which his grandfather celebrated his sixtieth birthday, Jacob and Anna, with their little boy, drove over to see him. John was delighted at the idea of spending the entire day with his grandfather. Jacob could not stay long, but returned home, promising to come again in the evening. However, when evening came, just as he was harnessing the white horse, a storm came up such that he decided it would be better to leave his wife and son to spend the night at Grandfather's house. Accordingly, Anna had to stay, although she would have preferred going home, for she always felt rather ill at ease in Grandfather's presence. Little John, on the contrary, was so delighted, he would not leave the side of the old man.

When evening came, the household was assembled together. John's grandfather opened the large Bible, read a portion of it aloud, and then offered up an earnest prayer, remembering especially his own birthday. Everyone then retired to rest. The following morning Anna set off to walk back with her child. It was a lovely summer's day, and the walk in the cool of the morning through the woods and past several little waterfalls was most enjoyable. John was very fond of flowers and seldom passed them by; however, that day he walked along the path behind his mother as seriously and quietly as though not a single flower was to be seen.

Neither did Anna feel much inclined to talk; her mind was uneasy, but she did not know why. All of a sudden John stood still, and looking up in her face inquiringly, asked, “Mother, why does not Father do as Grandfather does?”

His mother was somewhat confused, and merely said, “Go and look for flowers.”

Together they went on in silence, but John did not care about the flowers. Soon they came to the top of a hill, from which was a beautiful view of the distant mountains. Anna sat down to rest for a moment with John beside her. “Mother,” he then began again, “why does not Father do as Grandfather does?”

“Well,” she answered rather sharply, “and what does Grandfather do?”

“He takes the great Bible,” said John, “and he reads and prays.”

His mother colored, and said, “You must ask your father about it.”

When they reached home, Father was not there. He was gone out to reap in a field some way off and would not be back until evening. Mother knew this and she thought she would put the boy to bed early, hoping that by morning he would have forgotten his question. But she was mistaken. As she was getting him ready for bed, he began, “No, Mother; just let me wait until Father comes home.”

At eight o'clock his father returned. John ran up to him at once and asked quickly, “Father, why don't you do as Grandfather does?”

His father looked at him in surprise, for the question came unexpectedly. He said, “What are you doing up yet, John? Go to bed now; it's late.”

John was silent, but he went obediently to bed. The next morning he was still more sorrowful. He sat silently and sadly at the breakfast table, with folded hands and his head down, without touching his food. “What is the matter, John? Why don't you eat?” asked his mother.

John was silent. After a little while she asked again, “What is it, John?” He looked up, but said nothing. Soon his father and mother had finished and began to clear away the breakfast. His mother asked a third time, “John, tell me, what is the matter?”

Then John said, “I want so much to pray, Mother; and if no one will pray with me, then I must pray alone.”

This was too much for Anna. Her eyes filled with tears. She hastened into the next room to tell her husband what John had said. However, he had heard it, for the door was left open, and his conscience was touched. “John is right,” said he, “and we are wrong.” Then they fell on their knees together. It was the first time in their lives. They prayed a prayer with few words, but with many tears. It was the publican's prayer “God be merciful to us, sinners!”

The happy day had arrived when John would no longer have to pray alone, nor the grandfather to be grieved. Father and Mother now began to bow their knees together before the Lord and to beseech His mercy and forgiveness, to ask for new hearts and for grace to dedicate themselves and their child unto the Lord.

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