Wikkey | Page 8

What I mean is this: the boy's intellect
has probably, from the circumstances of his life, been too strongly
developed to have left much room for the simple faith which one has to
work on in ordinary childhood; and having been used chiefly as a
weapon, offensive and defensive, in the battle with life, it is not likely
to prove a very helpful instrument just now, as it would probably make
him quicker to discern difficulties than to accept truths upon trust. I
should, therefore, be inclined to place religion before him in a way that
would appeal more to his affections than to his reason, and try to
interest him in our Lord from, so to speak, a human point of view,
without going into the mysteries connected with the Incarnation, and if
possible without, at first, telling the end of the Gospel narrative. Speak
of a Person--One Whom you love--Who might have lived for ever in
perfect happiness, but Who, from love to us, preferred to come and live
on earth in poverty and suffering (the poor lad will appreciate the
meaning of those words only too well)--Who was all-powerful, though
living as a Man, and full of tenderness. Then tell of the miracles and
works of love, of his continued existence--though for the present
invisible to us--of His love and watchfulness; and when Wikkey's
interest is aroused, as I believe it will be, I should read from the Bible
itself the story of the sufferings and death. Can you gather any meaning
from this rough outline? It seems to me that it is intended that Wikkey
should be led upwards from the human to the Divine. For others a
different plan of teaching might be better, but I think this is the right
key to his development; and, moreover, I firmly believe that you will
be shown how to use it."
Lawrence remained for some time after reading his letter with his
elbows on the table, and his head resting on his hands, which were
buried in his thick brown hair; a look of great perplexity was on his
face.
"Of course, I must try," he thought; "one couldn't have it on one's
conscience; but it's a serious business to have started." Looking up, he
met Wikkey's rather anxious glance.
"Is anythink amiss, Lawrence?"

"No, Wikkey--I was only thinking;" then, plunging on desperately, he
continued: "I was thinking how I could best make you understand what
I said last night about Someone Who sees everything you do--Someone
Who is very good."
"Cut on, I'm minding. Is it Someone as you love?"
Lawrence reddened. What was his feeling towards the Christ?
Reverence certainly, and some loyalty, but could he call it love, in the
presence of the passionate devotion to himself which showed in every
look of those wistful eyes?
"Yes, I love him," he said slowly, "but not as much as I should." Then
as a sudden thought struck him. "Look here, Wikkey, you said you
would like to have me for a king; well, He that I am telling you of is
my King, and He must be yours, too, and we will both try to love and
obey Him."
"Where is He?" asked Wikkey.
"You can't see him now, because He lives up in Heaven. He is the Son
of God, and He might always have stayed in Heaven, quite happy, only,
instead of that, he came down upon earth, and became a man like one
of us, so that He might know what it is. And though He was really a
King, He chose to live like a poor man, and was often cold and hungry
as you used to be; and He went about helping people, and curing those
who were ill, because, you know, Wikkey, He was God, and could do
anything. There are beautiful stories about Him that I can tell you."
"How do you know all about the King, Lawrence?"
"It is written in a book called the Bible. Have you ever seen a Bible?"
"That was the big book as blind Tim used to sit and feel over with his
fingers by the area rails. I asked him what it was, and he said as it was
the Bible. But bless you; he weren't blind no more nor you are: he
lodged at Skimmidge's for a bit, and I saw him a reading of the paper in
his room; he kicked me when he saw as I'd twigged him;" and Wikkey's

laugh broke out at the recollection. Poor child, his whole knowledge of
sacred things seemed to be derived from--
"Holiest things profaned and cursed."
"Tim was a bad man to pretend to be blind when he wasn't," said
Lawrence, severely. "But now, Wikkey, shall I read you a story about