In a few days I received a letter from his
father inclosing a check for $10, and saying, "Don't let my son starve;
do all you can for him, but don't let him know his father is doing
this."
Can't you see plainly the conditions? Our Father in heaven stands ready
at all times to help, but we must do something--meet the conditions.
Tom's father was ready to forgive and take him back, but he wanted Tom
to make the surrender.
I looked after Tom to a certain extent, but I wanted him to learn his
lesson. There were times when he walked the streets and went hungry. I
corresponded with his father and told him how his son was getting along.
I got Tom a job washing dishes in a restaurant--the Bowery's main
employment--at $2.50 per week, and he stuck.
I watched him closely. He would come to the Mission nearly every night
and would stand up and testify to God's goodness. He was coming on
finely. Many's the talk we would have together about home. The tears
would come to his eyes and he would say, "Oh, if I ever go home I'll be
such a different boy! Do you think father will forgive me, Mr. Ranney?"
Well, eight months went on, and I thought it was time to get him off the
Bowery--he had had his lesson.
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