The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-05
Such as Thou Hast.

Such as Thou Hast.
"There is Mrs. Holman's carriage
across the way" said young Mrs. Davis,
with a sigh. She has sent some
luxury to Mrs. Stevens, for there goes
her porter with covered basket. How
| wish l could carry 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.
swell, | haven't found anything l
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 l thee. In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk.''
go WE'LL" 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 similar case.
And think it is within thy power
TO give thy ueighbor that which would
be more valuable to her than silver and
gold" replied the elder lady.
q" don't see how" said Mrs. Davis,
with somewhat irritated tone.
Shall | give thee few hints?"
kindly inquired her aunt, and inter-
preting silence to mean consent, she
went on: g can see thy mistake in
the light of my own experience a good
while ago. All thee needs is to have
thine eyes opened 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.
" First, ask him to open thine eyes
and make thee willing, yea, glad, to do
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 own
room, saying, "pll do what l can"
{" In his strength, DEAR" reminded
Aunt Ruth.
With confession of her fault and
PRAYER for wisdom, Mrs. Davis resolved
| to visit Mrs. Stevens, who was just re-
covering from a long and painful i'll
ness. So in the pleasant twilight she
went in, taking with her book OF
poems that had Just been sent her.
" l do so thank you for coming"
said Mrs. Stevens, as she rose TO go;
"please come again as soon as you can
Something in her manner assured Mrs.
Davis of the sincerity of her request
and the hope that the little she had tried
to do had been accepted made hel
more ready to try again.
A short time after she called and was
very warmly welcomed. Only waiting
for the exchange of common civilities
Mrs. Stevens began at once: Pm Sc
glad you've come over this afternoon,
for I've been thinking about you, es'
pecially during the past hour, as | have
been enjoying over and over again
some of the beautiful poems in the
book you lent me. / can not tell the
authors how much their words have
helped me, but | can thank you for lend
ing me the book, and for coming to see
me, too. The day you came first | was
feeling rather discouraged at the slow
ness of my recovery. Mrs. Holman
had Just sent me very dainty little
pudding, with the word that / need moi
be afraid to eat it, for it was very sim
pie. 1t looked tempting, and / appre
ciated Mrs. Holman's kindness in send
ing it, but as soon as | tastedit found
ii was sweeter than my stomach would
bear. But your kind words and the
poems | might feast on to my hearts
content. And have so wanted you to
know how much l have enjoyed them
over and over again. They were like
healing balm to my soul"
Almost Aunt Ruth's exact words
flashed through Mrs. Davis mind
9 Can it be possible" she said, that
have been anything to anybody"
He says, you know, inasmuch,
and l was sick and We visited me, -
replied Mrs Stevens.
:" Aunt Ruth" said Mrs. Davis, a few
minutes later, "I've made great mis-
take in thinking there was no place il
the world for me to work. have dis
honored my Master by not improving
the opportunities he has given me, anC
by his grace | mean to do better.
want to thank you for helping me t.
this conclusion. "-Lizzie G. Williams
in Christian Secretary.