Lead us not into temptation.
Lead us not into temptation.
Willie Mortimer was a kind and affectionate little boy, but he possessed a hasty temper, which was ever leading him into some harm. Here, you see, it has just led him into trouble. In trying to get his mother’s work box away from his sister,he has dropped it, and all the things have rolled about the floor.
His mother often urged him to strive to govern it; and the big tears would dampen his little cheeks, as he reflected upon the misdemeanors which his temper ever urged him to commit. He repented quickly of his errors, but somehow, he could not “think enough,” before his temper had conquered him. He often desired to overcome it, but felt discouraged sometimes.
One day, after much enjoyment, he came to his aunt, with whom he was staying, and said,—
“O, I’ve been so happy, and got along so well to-day, without getting angry!”
“How so?” exclaimed his aunt, as she smoothed his brown locks.
“I prayed this morning, before I came out of my room, and said, ‘Lead us not into temptation;’ and I think God hears my prayer, and helps me to be good,” said Willie.
A subdued light shone from Willie’s dark eyes, as he so confidingly reposed in grace and help from Heaven to overcome his waywardness.
The sun bade the children all, yea, and the fair earth, his accustomed “good night,” while Willie still remained a conqueror over his temper. As he clasped his hands in his evening prayer, he thanked God for not leading him into temptation, and with abiding faith in the great Being of love, he laid him down to sleep.
My dear young friends, we all are surrounded with temptation, and like little Willie, are possessed of human weaknesses; and how much we need to pray, with earnest faith,—
“Lead us not into temptation.”