A Timely Blow and a Lesson Learned

Quite some years ago a merchant named Muller lived in a large town in northern Germany. Frequently, as he walked to his place of business, he would meet a well-dressed young man, who would always nod to him as if he recognized him. Mr. Muller had no idea who he was, and he thought this stranger perhaps mistook him for some other person.

One day Mr. Muller was invited to dinner at a friend's house where this young man was also a guest. When his host was about to introduce him to Mr. Muller, the young man said, “That is not necessary, for we have known each other for a long time.”

Mr. Muller was thoroughly mystified, but then the young man related his story. He said, "Almost twenty years ago, when I was still a young lad, I was on my way to school one autumn morning. My way led through the farmers' market, the stalls of which were filled with the finest fruits of the season. I thought how nice it would be if I had an apple to eat with the sandwich my mother had given me for my lunch. At that time fruit was a great luxury for me, as we seldom could afford any.

"The owner of one stall in the market had turned her back to speak to a friend just as I passed by, and the thought came, ‘She will never miss one of the many in this basket.’ Reaching out quickly, I picked up an apple and was about to put it in my pocket. Unexpectedly I received a blow on the side of my head, causing me to drop the apple back in the basket. A voice thundered in my ear, ‘Boy! What does the eighth commandment say? I hope this is the first time you have taken your neighbor's goods, but let it also be the last time.’

"Looking behind me, I saw the face of the man who had detected my intended theft, and I have never forgotten it. At school that morning I could hardly keep my attention on my lessons, for the stranger's warning words kept sounding in my ears, ‘Let it be the last time.’ Firmly in my heart I resolved that it should be, by God's help, the last time.

"After I left school, I went to work in a bank, and later went to South America, where I was also employed for a number of years. There, as you know, the temptations and opportunities in business are many to overreach, to overcharge, and to take undue advantage of others. They were often put before me, but as often as such temptations came, the blow from your hand would again burn my cheek, and your words would sound in my ears.

“A few months ago I returned to my native land with a considerable fortune, but I may thank God that there is not one penny of it gained dishonestly. And now, sir, let me shake the hand of one who gave me such a lasting benefit. I have never forgotten it and am always thankful for it. The truth of Solomon's words have been confirmed in my life, ‘He that keepeth the law, happy is he.’”

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