A Lesson from the Life of Henry Moorhouse

For those of you who don't know, Henry (or Harry, as he is sometimes called) Moorhouse was an English lad who was raised in a home that was Methodist only in name. Despite this, his Sunday school teacher was able to show him the love of Christ, and sow seeds of truth in his mind. Unfortunately for him, they were forgotten for a time as he developed friendships with wicked youth and plunged into a life of misery and sin. Different people along the way sought to turn him to Jesus, but to seemingly no avail. One night Henry and some friends were in a back alley. While he continued on, they seemed drawn to something in a nearby building, and motioned for him to come along. When he asked what was going on, they told him, "Lots of drink and fun!" as a practical joke. By this time, strains of a hymn reached Henry's ears, but strangely, he felt like going in. It was there that he was wholly converted. While he did not have all the truth, and reached a few erroneous conclusions, he had much correct.

One of the first things I learned about Henry was that he used to be a pick pocket, and after his conversion he still struggled with the urge to steal. His solution? Boxing gloves. Henry would wear these when he went out because he could not grab anything (especially what wasn't his) when he had them on. This incident impressed me. Henry obviously believed that GOD had forgiven him for his past thefts, and that GOD could give him the victory over this terrible habit; but he also knew that GOD wouldn't just hand him the victory on a silver platter, and that he had a work to do, a part to play, as well--hence the gloves. Bible teaching is in perfect harmony with this way of thinking. Paul tells us, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfill] the lusts [thereof]" (Romans 13:14). In doing this, Henry was making sure his fleshly nature couldn't get the better of him. After a time, he no longer needed the gloves, for the desire had left. "Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Henry submitted and resisted by making no provision, and came off victor. May we all seek to do the same.

Blessings,
Jean