Pages 68 - 72
|
| approximately 10 feet behind them like a poor sinner. Along the way they spoke of the strange matter in which they considered me somewhat of a religious tramp. When we entered the church the assembly was already singing and the house of God was well filled. I was shown to the first pew near the altar. The assembly had sung three songs and it was nearly 10 o'clock as they were still expecting Minister Boller to finally make an appearance. I stood up and went to the minister at the altar and said to him: "Brother, last week I was at Brother Yakoby's and this past Sunday I was in the Utica church and the brothers gave me the opportunity to do something according to my own talents." Then the stone of sorrow rolled away from his heart and he was happy after he recognized his error and apologized. We had a time blessed by the Lord. I told him who I am and what I do as well as how the conference had appointed me to travel the district in the interest of Sunday school matters, etc. |
 |
When we started to hold a discussion at the picnic I'm talking about, inclement weather came and ruined everything, including the refreshments, which were placed upon the long table. Since there wasn't a shelter nearby, the brothers hunched down beneath the table. Each was wearing a white jacket. The rain melted the red, yellow and green cake and the ooze dripped all over the white outfits of the brothers. Each carried a map on his back and each sister had a muttonchop. My girl and I along with many others sought shelter in a mill and as soon as the storm was over we all went home. On the way home a decorated wagen full of Sunday school students turned over. One boy broke his arm, etc. Since this outting I've lost all respect for such expeditions which bring neither honor to God nor benefit to any Sunday school. |
 |
_____ A family of white mice lived in a good home and were happy to be together until one day the two young mice were not at home with their mother at the right time to go to their little beds. The little mother had often warned them of the dangers of this evil world but it seemed all warnings to the young mice were fruitless and in vain. Late one evening as one of the mice was below on the lower floor and indulging in idle thoughts, she thought she heard something like nibbling coming from the other side of the foot board. The mother said, "I wonder where that child has gone to so late in the evening. What shall I do. It makes me so jittery." The next evening the little white mouse went to the same place — an unfortunate place; to her astonishment the mouse had nearly gnawed through the board and only an inch of it was left. The third evening the young mouse went there again and to her horror she met |
 |
a grizzled old gray mouse, which greeted her rudely and wildly and asked: "What are you doing here?" "Mama and I live here. We have a beautiful house and a nice white bed, and the cook always brings us food from the kitchen. We always get our share of the fine food. We've lived a long time in this house and Mama has no worries. We have everything in abundance," answered the mouse. To which the old, gray mouse responded, "You dear little thing, come back tomorrow evening and I will tell you where I live and what I do."
The next evening she was at the same place but did not say a word to her mother. The old gray mouse said: "Above all else I'd like to say to you that you white mice are a very stupid people and know nothing. You're living in slavery. We gray mice live in all houses. We go from one to another. We do not wait until they bring us food. We go to a dining hall and eat first what we want. I live in a big Hamburg cheese. If you knew how beautiful the world is, you wouldn't remain in this slavery a day longer. I'll take you along and do you a favor." |
 |
A tomcat behind the wall had heard the entire conversation. Like lightning it snatched up the little white mouse in its jaws and carried it to the kitchen. There was a terrible cry from the children and the cat was forced to give up its prize. They wrapped the little mouse in cotton and cared for it as one would care for a child. The little mouse had learned a practical lesson and promised from then on to listen to its mama's warnings. It no longer wished to see the wide beautiful world to enjoy the pleasures of it.
I used this anecdote during my first visit to the Sunday school in Syracuse New York when Rev. A. Müller was pastor there. We had a blessed time the entire day. In the evenings the church was especially full. Three weeks later a youth of approximately nineteen years of age came into my office and cried bitterly. "What is your name and where do you come from?" I asked him. "I come from Syracuse and my name is .....I am the little white mouse," he answered. "Now I understand it and I ask for good advice," he added. I advised him |
Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks
