P1465:5, 132:6.1
Here in Rome also occurred that touching incident in which the Creator of
a universe spent several hours restoring a lost child to his anxious mother.
This little boy had wandered away from his home, and Jesus found him crying
in distress. He and Ganid were on their way to the libraries, but they devoted
themselves to getting the child back home. Ganid never forgot Jesus' comment:
"You know, Ganid, most human beings are like the lost child. They spend much
of their time crying in fear and suffering in sorrow when, in very truth,
they are but a short distance from safety and security, even as this child
was only a little way from home. And all those who know the way of truth and
enjoy the assurance of knowing God should esteem it a privilege, not a duty,
to offer guidance to their fellows in their efforts to find the satisfactions
of living. Did we not supremely enjoy this ministry of restoring the child
to his mother? So do those who lead men to God experience the supreme satisfaction
of human service." And from that day forward, for the remainder of his natural
life, Ganid was continually on the lookout for lost children whom he might
restore to their homes.
P1465:6, 132:6.2
There was the widow with five children whose husband had been accidentally
killed. Jesus told Ganid about the loss of his own father by an accident,
and they went repeatedly to comfort this mother and her children, while Ganid
sought money from his father to provide food and clothing. They did not cease
their efforts until they had found a position for the eldest boy so that he
could help in the care of the family.
P1465:7, 132:6.3
That night, as Gonod listened to the recital of these experiences, he said
to Jesus, good-naturedly: "I propose to make a scholar or a businessman of
my son, and now you start out to make a philosopher or
philanthropist of him."
And Jesus smilingly replied: "Perhaps we will make him all four; then can
he enjoy a fourfold satisfaction in life as his ear for the recognition of
human melody will be able to recognize four tones instead of one." Then said
Gonod: "I perceive that you really are a philosopher. You must write a book
for future generations." And Jesus replied: "Not a book -- my mission is to
live a life in this generation and for all generations. I -- " but he stopped,
saying to Ganid, "My son, it is time to retire."