wonderful adventure. And then came such kisses and caresses, such
warming by the kitchen fire, such a comfortable breakfast for the
child, such luxuries for the dog, which Reuben was allowed to bestow;
and then such runnings hither and thither to inform all the kind
searchers all was right with the child, and such congratulations, that I
should never have done, if I attempt but to repeat one half of them; so
let me conclude in these words of the apostle, "Let no man say when he
is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn
away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it
bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
James i. 13, 14, 15. But our Saviour has declared, "I will ransom them
from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death. Oh! death, I
will be thy plague: Oh! grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea xiii.
14.

By this little narrative we are taught that whoever fills himself up
with the belief that he is wise and clever, will be apt, like Marten, to
fall into some sort of trouble, which he did not look forward to. All
the wisdom of man lies in knowing that unless he is guided in all his
actions by his heavenly Father, he is sure to go wrong, let his age or
condition be what it may. If little Reuben had been really lost or hurt,
very severe indeed would have been the punishment of Marten for his
conceit, but God in his tender love let him off for his fright only;
which, however, we doubt not, was sharp enough to make him remember the
lesson all his life.

It is well for poor sinful men, women, and children, however, that they
have a brother, even the Lord the Saviour in his human person, who
cannot forget them as Marten forgot Reuben, no, not for one moment.