Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-11-01
LITTLE THINGS 5.

Did you ever think, dear children,
what little things make up the whole
sum OF life? aud how often we might,
by kind word or deed, make some
one around us very happy. whose way
ray be rough and dreary. by show
ing that we feel for them in their
troubles when we can be a real COM
fort to them. II is noble and right,
you know. to do all the good we can.
We may not be great or rich. but we
may put on record in the great book
of remembrance. which our Father
keeps up in Heaven. little words of
kindness. little deeds OF love- mites
OF service which to you may seem
very triling though often great in His
sight. because He sees the motive and
always knows when they are done for
love OF Him. God delights in these
very Titles. Then. isn't this best to
try for? What is the use OF being in
the world il we can not do something
for some bodya Suppose we should
make up our minds to say some kind
thing to only one person a day. In a
year we shall have made three hum
dred and sixty-hve persons happy, and
all without any cost or labor except
the simple moving Of our lips.
And If we do speak let it be done
gently, as well as to say the right
words. Many person owes his sue
cess in life to kind gentle, loving
words. A great deal more can be
done than you think by a word fifty
spoken
Don't forget this, dear young read
ers. for you can all. even the youngest.
do as much as any body in this way,
and II God makes use Himself of such
little things in this world as He does to
bring about marvellous results, every
child OF His can do something for Him,
too, however small they may be, though
they often think they are not able.
Ask Him and He will help TO make
you a little servant of His-a little
missionary in His service. Let me tell
you a true story about that. and may
every one who reads it profit by the
telling
One day a young boy, whom we will
call Tom Allen. was very wickedly
troubling a pet kitten OF his sisters.
who, though smaller than he, was
standing by with tears filing her eyes
in her anxiety for "AIiggs.n her play
mate. as she was called. when she went
mp quietly and put her hand ON his
shoulder, and said Ibid you know,
Tommy, that that was Gods kitten9
He made il. :
Think of il! just those few simple
words of the child were not lost. They
did much good, and yet how little she
knew about it.
But how did these words of Grace's
work? Let US see. In the first place,
Tommy at once left off tormenting the
kitten. but he could not leave off think
ing about what his sister had said
Gods kitten! Gods creature. for He
made it! II never thought of that
before he said to himself.
The very next day, meeting one of
his schoolmates, who was cruelty beat
ing half-starved dog, Tommy, before
he even knew what he was doing, ran
up to him and repeated the very words
his sister had used: Don't do that,
Jake. It's Gods creature. Didn't you
know it?n
The boy tried to make some excuse
by saying that he had stolen his lunch
that he was carrying to school.
Tommy satisfied him by promising
that he would give him a part of his
own, and so they trudged off to school
and forgot all about the dog.
Now. don't you see that not only
Gracie's words. but Tommy's, were do
ing good? And great deal more good
was to follow them. for just as Tommy
was saying the words, Its Gods
creature, two persons were passing by
and caught them. One was a young
man in a prosperous downtown store,
the other, a ragged, miserable creature
who had got into the way of drinking,
duQ ndQ jucb DClu Ills CHI
ployer on account of it, and was on his
way home in very despairing condi-
ton OF mind.
Gods creaturew he said to himself.
1t seemed to be a new thought. ''If
that dog is Gods creature. then I'm
Gods creature. too. and He'll help me,
If nobody else will. ] know
just then he had reached the place
where so many of his bitterest hours
had been passed, and the old habit
almost made him go in, but the new
thought. now strong in his mind. came
to his rescue as he said to himself:
mo, I'm Gods creature; l wont go in
any more" and sure enough, on he
vent to his home. a great deal better
contented, don't you think?