He Took My Whipping for Me

This is the tract, I refer to in my book…

Rev. A.C. Dixon, the great Baptist preacher, who was born in the mountains of Virginia, relates the following:  Years ago there was a certain in hi section which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned.

A young, grey-eyed teacher applied, and the old director scanned him, then said, “Young feller, do you know what you are asking? An awful beating! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it.” He replied, “Ill risk it.”

Finally, he appeared for duty. One big fellow, “Tom,” whispered, “I won’t need any help, I can lick him myself.”

The teacher said, “Good morning boys, we have come to conduct school!” They yelled at the top of their voices. “Now I want a good school, but confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard.”

One fellow yelled, “No stealin’!”  Another yelled, “On time.” Finally ten ruled appeared. “Now,” said the teacher, “a law is no good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?”

“Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on.”   “That is pretty severe, boys. Are you ready to stand by it?” Another yell, and the teacher said, “School comes to order!”

In a day or so “Big Tom” found his lunch was stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located-a little hungry fellow, about ten. Then next norming the teacher announced, “We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rules-ten stripes across the back. Jim, come up here!”

The little fellow, trembling came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to the neck and pleaded, “Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don’t make me take my coat off!”

“Take that coat off; you helped make the rules!” “O teacher, don’t make me!” He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher behold! Lo, the lad had no shirt on, but strings for braces over his little bony body.

“How can I whip this child?” thought he. “But I must do something if I keep this school.” Everything was quiet as death. “How come you to be without a shirt, Jim?”  He replied, “My father died and my mother is very poor. I have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing that today, and I wore my brother’s big coat to keep warm.”

The teacher, with rod in hand, hesitated. Just then “Big Tom” jumped to his feet and said, “Teacher, if you don’t object, I will take Jim’s licking for him.” “Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are all you agreed?”

Off came Tom’s coat, and after 5 hard strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands, and thought, “How can I finish this awful task?”

Then he heard the entire school sobbing and what did he see? Little Jim reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I am sorry I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I’ll love you till the day I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I’ll love you forever.”

** From: Pilgrim Tract Society (1969).

Jesus, took my whipping for me and died in my place. Rose from the dead and has given me a new life. I will love Him forever! This is why I penned my memoir. To say – He loves you and took your whipping! Will you trust Him with your life?