By: Archie Elrod Jr.
Rev. A. C. Dixon, the great Baptist Preacher, who was born in the mountains of Virginia; relates the following: Years ago there was a certain school in his section which no teacher, could handle. The boys were so, rough that the teachers resigned.
A young, grey-eyed` teacher applied, and the old director scanned him, then said, 11Y0 1V feller, do yon know what An awful beating’ Every teacher we have had for years has had to ‘take it.” He replied, “I’ll risk it.”
Finally, he appeared for duty. One big fellow, “Tom,” whispered, “I won’t need any :help, I can lick him myself.”
The teacher said, “Good morning, boys, we have come to conduct school!”. They yelled at the. top of their voices. “Now, I want a good school, but confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You -tell me and I will write them on the blackboard.”
One fellow yelled, “No stealin!” Another yelled, “On time.” Finally ten rules appeared.
“Now,” said the teacher, “A law is no good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?”
“Beat him across – the back ten times without-his moat on.”
“That is pretty severe, boys. Are you. ready to stand by it?” Another, yell, and the teacher said, “School comes to order'”
In a day or so “Big Tom” found his dinner was stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located–a, little hungry fellow, about ten, Then next morning the teacher announced, “We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule- stripes across the back! Jim, come up here!”
The little fellow, trembling came up, slowly with a big coat fastened up to the neck and pleaded, “Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don’t make me take my coat off!”
“Take that coat off; you.helped make the rules!”
“0 teacher, don’t make me!” He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher behold! Lo, the lad had no shirt- on, but strings for braces over his little bony body..
“How can I whip this child?”, thought he. “But I must do something if I keep this school.” Everything was quiet as death. “How come you to be without a shirt, Jim?”
He replied, “My father died and mother is very poor, I have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing that today, and, I wore my brother’s big coat to keep warm.”
The teacher, with-rod in hand, hesitated. Just then “Big Tom” jumped to his feet and said, “Teacher, if you don’t object, I Will take Jim’s licking for him.”
“Very we , there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?”
Off came-Tom’s, coat, and after five hard, strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands, and thought, “How can I finish this awful task?”
Then he heard the entire school sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around the neck, “Tom, I am sorry I stole your dinner, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I’ll love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I’ll love you forever!”
Sinner friend, you have broken every rule and deserve eternal punishment! But Jesus Christ took your scourging for you, died in your stead, and now offers to clothe you with His garments of salvation. Will you not fall at His feet and tell Him you will
love and follow Him forever? “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
The above material was published by Pilgrim Track Society, Inc., Randleman, N.C. 27317. This material may be copyrighted and should be used for study and research purposes only.
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