Pages 133 - 137

Two farmers were waging a dispute over a cow and neither one would admit he was wrong. They took their case to an honorable lawyer in Berlin, Canada. As they were in the lawyer's office they saw a picture on the wall of a beautiful cow. I do not know if it was a picture of a Jersey or Holstein cow. One man held the cow by the horns, the other held her by the tail. Both pulled with all their might since each wanted the cow. The lawyer sat quite calmly under the cow and milked her dry. "Say. Johann, look at the picture. Do you know what that means?" "Yes, I can figure it out," the other answered and added, "I've learned something from this. Let's tell the lawyer that we've settled this problem between ourselves." They did this and settled the matter along the way and remained lifelong friends. Once again they went together to prayer hour and the church as they had done before they had this unpleasantness between them. Of course this isn't to say that all lawyers milk their clients dry. Judge Werner, my son-in-law, told me that he always

advised his client to settle his dispute outside the court if possible. If they understood the situation as Johann did, they would do so. A man said at a picnic, "Say, he is no friend to you. He has a case in my office and I advised him to settle it out of court. He didn't accept my advice and went to another lawyer with his case. By the time the proceedings were ended he had to pay the lawyer $400.00 and he regretted that he had not followed the good advice." _____ 56. The Cost of Sin _____ It never pays to sin. Man thinks that the Devil will keep his promises, and is a good paymaster. However, Satan never settles with his dupes by payment of anything that is of real value. He is a liar and deceiver. The cost of sin is tremendous. If the secret of every heart would be confessed and disclosed, the world would not find tears enough to weep over the terrible devastation and ruin wrought by the sins of the human race.

57. A Birthday Contract _____ It was on the evening of March 8, 1910, on the eve of my 83rd birthday, which the Sunday school of the First Community in Buffalo had already pleasantly celebrated throughout the year whether I was at home or out of the state, whether I was in Germany or California or Florida. On this eve it was ever more serious and weighty to me not because I would die soon; oh no, for in this regard I left the care of this matter to my loving heavenly father. Rather I wanted to live longer so that I might do many more good deeds for my loving savior in my old age. Thus I held counsel quite alone in my sanctum with my loving heavenly father concerning this matter and I examined myself for the particular successes and progressions in my spiritual life over the past year. I addressed myself in a very emphatic voice and I practically cried out loud. But behold, in a few moments the sweet outpourings of blessings stormed into my poor and sad soul, praise and gratitude filled my mouth and I could thank my beloved savior with a joyous heart for the countless

beneficent deeds and blessings of the past year. The thought came to me that I should bring an offering to my Sunday school, for which I had much to be thankful. Just a year ago today, there was a little contract between myself and the Sunday School. And I wonder if any one can guess what it was. It was this: That once a month I am to read the Sunday School lesson in the English language with the Sunday School. Today I want to make another contract between us. That from now on until the year 1917, when I then will be 90 years old, namely: I herewith agree to place in the birth-day box, today, March 9, 1910 ...............$  1.00 March 9, 1911 ...............$  2.00 March 9, 1912 ...............$  4.00 March 9, 1913 ...............$  8.00 March 9, 1914 ...............$ 16.00 March 9, 1915 ...............$ 32.00 March 9, 1916 ...............$ 64.00 March 9, 1917 ...............$128.00 This sum, with interest, on March 9, 1917, will amount to $268.00. In case of my

departure within this time, my administrator is instructed to pay the amount. Hence I herewith ask the dear Sunday School to pray that it may please God to keep me sufficiently strong, to enable me to remain active in His blessed service for a reasonable number of years to come. With our sainted Bishop J. J. Esher, I also would like to remain in the harness to the end of my earthly career. During the signing of this contract by J. McKay. Sunday school superintendent, the entire school remained standing. _____ 58. A Pennsylvania Birthday Wish _____ It was the year 1908 that I and my daughter traveled to the State of Florida. We chose the city of Deland as our headquarters. It is a magnificent little city of 18,000 residents. In the Colledge Arms we found good accommodations and warm reception as well as excellent company. Each Sunday evening a singing church service was held. They celebrated my 81st birthday. My

Go to pages 138 - 142

Go to Index

Text provided by Lockwood Library, State University of New York at Buffalo, BX8080.B65

Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks