A Refractory Man Compelled To Pay A Debt.


A refractory man who owed a small debt of about $43, refused to pay it

all, but offered to do so if ten dollars was taken off. His creditor,

feeling that it was just, declined to abate the amount.



For more than a year the creditor waited, after having no attention paid

to his correspondence or, claim by the debtor, who exhibited

unmistakable obstinacy and want of courtesy. At last it was put into the

hand
of a lawyer. The lawyer, too, was fairly provoked at the

faithlessness of the debtor in his promises or his attention to the

subject; thus matters dragged wearily for months, yet exercised leniency

in pressing the claim.



The creditor, whose forbearance had now reached the extremity of

endurance, at last was led to take it to the Lord in prayer; saying he

would "willingly forgive the whole debt if in anything he was wrong, but

if the Lord thought it was right, hoped that his debtor _might be

compelled to pay the amount he so obstinately withheld_."



To the astonishment of all, a letter received from the lawyer four days

after, informed him _that his debtor had called and paid the claim in

full_ with interest to date. "In doing so, he said he paid it _under

protest_," thus showing he was _compelled by something he could not

resist to pay it all_.



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