Christmas with Grandma Elsie | Page 7

fitted for happiness and usefulness.
"Suppose I had a thousand, or five thousand dollars, to spare after
supplying my family with all that is necessary for health, comfort and
happiness; could my dear eldest daughter be so selfish as to wish me to
put it into a diamond ring for her at the expense of leaving some poor
creature in want and misery? some poor heathen to die without the
knowledge of Christ? some soul to be lost that Jesus died to save?"
"Oh no, no, papa!" she exclaimed, tears starting to her eyes, "I couldn't
be so hard hearted. I couldn't bear to look at my ring if it had cost so
much to other people."

"No, I am sure you could not; and I believe you would find far more
enjoyment, a far sweeter pleasure, in selecting objects for me to benefit
by the money the ring might cost."
"O papa, how nice, how delightful that would be if you would let me!"
she cried joyously.
"I will," he said; "I have some thousands to divide among the various
religious and benevolent objects, and shall give a certain sum--perhaps
as much as a thousand dollars--in the name of each of my three children
who are old enough to understand these things, letting each of you
select the cause, or causes, to which his or her share is to go."
"Which are the causes, papa?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with
pleasure.
"There are Home and Foreign Missions, the work among the freedmen,
and for the destitute in our own neighborhood, beside very many others.
We will read about these various objects and talk the matter over
together, and finally decide how many we can help, and how much
shall be given to each. Perhaps you may choose to support a little
Indian girl in one of the Mission schools, or some child in heathen
lands; or a missionary who will go and teach them the way to heaven."
"Oh I should love to do that!" she exclaimed, "it will be better than
having a ring. Papa, how good you are to me! I am so glad God gave
me such a father; one who tries always to teach me how to serve Him
and to help me to be the right kind of a Christian."
"I want to help you in that, my darling," he said; "I think I could do you
no greater kindness."
Just then Max came into the room, and his father called him to take a
seat by his side, saying, "I am glad you have come, my son, for I was
about to speak to Lulu on a subject that concerns you quite as nearly."
"Yes, sir; I'll be glad to listen," replied Max, doing as directed.

The captain went on. "The Bible tells us, 'If any man have not the Spirit
of Christ, he is none of his.' If we are like Jesus in spirit, we will love
others and be ready to deny ourselves to do them good; especially to
save their souls; for to that end he denied himself even to the shameful
and painful death of the cross.
"He says, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.... Whosoever doth not bear his cross,
and come after me, cannot be my disciple.'
"That is we cannot be his disciples without doing something to bring
sinners to him that they may be saved; something that will cost us
self-denial; it may be of our own ease, or of something we would like
to do or have.
"And it must be done willingly, cheerfully, from love to the dear
Master and the souls he died to save, and not as the way to earn heaven
for ourselves.
"We can not merit salvation, do what we will; we must take it as God's
free, undeserved gift."
There was a moment of thoughtful silence; then Max said, "Papa, I
think I am willing if I knew just what to do and how to do it. Can you
tell me?"
"You have some money of your own every week; you can give what
you will of that to held spread abroad the glad tidings of salvation; you
can pray for others, and when a favorable opportunity offers, speak a
word to lead them to Christ. Ask God to show you opportunities and
give you grace and wisdom to use them. Try also, so to live, and act,
and speak, that all who see and know you will, take knowledge of you
that you have been with Jesus and learned of him."
"Papa," said Lulu, "won't you tell Max about the money you are going
to give in our names?"
"No, I will let you have