The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-06-24
Religioms Mlistellamp.
Such as Thou Hast.

"There is Mrs. Holman's carriage
across the way" said young Mrs. Da-
Wis, with sigh; 4" she has sent some
luxury to Mrs. Stevens, for there goes
her porter with covered basket; how
/ wish could carry her something to
tempt her appetite or do something to
brighten these days for her; how she
must long to get her strength fully
back"
Has thee done what thee could?"
asked Aunt Ruth, as she looked up
from her sewing.
well, / haven't found anything /
could do" answered Mrs. Davis, in
some confusion, as she detected in her
aunt's voice suggestion that she
might have overlooked an opportunity.
" Let me read thee Bit" said Aunt
Ruth, reaching for the Bible and OPEN
ing to Acts iii: 6, " Then Peter said,
Silver and gold have / none; but such
as have give thee. In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk"
go well,'' remarked Mrs. Davis,
when the reading was Finished, Peter
had something more valuable than sill
yer and gold to give, for he had the
gift of healing" and she looked as if
she felt that hers was not a similar case.
And think it is within thy power
to give thy neighbor that which would
be much more valuable to her than sill
yer and gold," replied the elder lady.
I" / don't see how" said Mrs. Davis,
in a somewhat irritated tone.
Shall / give thee a few hints?"
inquired her aunt, and, interpreting ST.
lence to mean consent, she went on, "
can see thy mistake in the light of my
own experience a good while ago; all
thee needs is to have thine eyes open to
see opportunities now overlooked in thy
desire to do some large work. 1t is not
the amount of work, but the spirit in
which it is done, that pleaseth the
Master.
I" First, ask him to open thine eyes
and make thee willing, yea glad, to dc
even the humblest service; then don't
forget the prayer, but watch thy chance
and make haste to improve it. a few
kind words might be like healing balm
to this soul, pent up in a suffering
body"
Feeling the truth of her aunt's words
Mrs. Davis started to retire to her owr
room, saying, "I'll do what can"
"In his strength, dear" reminde {
Aunt Ruth. With confession of hel
fault and prayer for wisdom, Mrs. Da
Wis resolved to visit Mrs. Stevens, who
was just recovering from a long ant
painful illness. So, in the pleasant
twilight she went in, taking with her {
book of poems that had just been sen
her.
81 do so thank you for coming,
said Mrs. Stevens, as she rose to 60
"please come again as soon as yol
can" Something in her manner as
sured Mrs. Davis of the sincerity o
her request, and the hope that the
little she had tried to do had been &C
copied, made her more ready to try
again.
A short time after she called and wa
very warmly welcomed. Only waiting
for the exchange of some common civil
ties, Mrs. Stevens began at once: " I'm
so glad you've come over this afternoon
for I've been thinking about you, es
pecially during the past hour, as Nv
been enjoying over again some of tn
beautiful poems in the book you len
me; l cannot tell the authors how mucl
their words have helped me, but ca
thank you for lending me the book
and for coming to see me, too. Th
day you came first / was feeling rathe
discouraged at the slowness of my re
covery. Mrs. Holman had just sent m
a very dainty little pudding with tn
| lnt 7 10 to
for it was very simple; it looked tempt
ing, and l appreciated Mrs. Holman
kindness in sending it, but as soon as
tasted it 1 found it was sweeter tina
my stomach would bear. But you
kind words and the poems l might feas
on to my hearts content. And l hav
so wanted you to know how much
have enjoyed them over and over agair
They were like healing balm to m
SOUL"
Almost Aunt Ruths exact words
flashed through Mrs. Davis minC
Can it be possible" she said, that
have been anything to anybody?"
He says, you know, Inasmuch
and was sick and we visited me-
replied Mrs. Stevens.
"Aunt Ruth" said Mrs. Davis, fe
minutes later, "I've made a great mil
take in thinking there was no place
the world for me to work. have di
honored my Master by not improvin
the opportunities he has given me, an
by his grace | mean to do better.
want to thank you for helping me
this conclusion. "-Lizzie c.. William
IN Religious Herald.