The stolen lamb

Thomas Drew had a large family. There was a time when he loved his Bible, attended his church, and endeavored to instruct his children in the fear of God.

Finding work became difficult, and Thomas struggled hard against poverty and sickness. His trials were very great: and instead of taking those trials to the Lord in prayer, he sunk into a low state, little short of desperation. This was Satan’s opportunity. When Thomas was reduced to this condition, and he feared that his wife and children would be famished, he meditated and planned a step at which he would have formerly shuddered: he resolved on stealing a lamb from the flock of a neighboring farmer. This, after many inward struggles was accomplished, and that too without detection. The lamb was killed, and brought home. To the inquiries of his wife, Thomas gave an evasive answer, and part of the stolen provision was cooked for supper. The poor woman called her husband from the loom when it was ready, and he was about to follow his usual custom of asking a blessing; his tongue faltered, and he could not do it; but snatching up the dish from his astonished family, he went with it to the farmer’s house, and confessed his guilt.

“My life,” said he, “is yours, or if you spare it, I will try to pay you for the lamb.” The farmer was touched at his tale of misery, and the voluntary confession of the theft. He told the poor fellow to take the dish and its contents back to his cottage, and freely forgave him of what he had done.

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