YOU are not looking well, Mary," Mr. Ray said, with a kind glance at the pale face of his wife, as he rose from the dinner table on Sunday. "Why not keep Annie from school this afternoon? She could mind baby, and you would be able to lie down and rest for an hour or two.”
Mrs. Ray answered in a low, gentle voice, “My head aches rather badly, for poor baby was not well last night, and so restless that I could not get any sleep. But please do not be anxious about me, I shall get on very nicely, and Annie is so anxious about winning the first prize, and has at present the highest number of marks of any girl in her class, I should be sorry to disappoint her.”
“Now, Annie dear, run away and get yourself and the children ready for school, or you will all lose marks for early attendance. Perhaps baby will go to sleep soon.”
Annie went upstairs, followed by the younger children, and the next quarter of an hour was a busy time to her. Small hands and faces had to be washed, three pairs of boots buttoned, Johnnie's golden curls needed brushing, a part of the proceedings of which the restless boy never quite approved. Nellie and Rose wanted their hats and capes tied, and when at last, Annie took her own jacket and hat from the wardrobe, she did not seem in any hurry to put them on.
Her thoughts had been just as busy as her fingers, and all the time a great battle was being fought in Annie Ray's heart.
Yes, she was very anxious to win the first prize, and it would now be hard to be obliged to give up the hope that had seemed almost a certainty; the year was just closing, and one Sunday would make all the difference, for Mary Wilson would be at the head of the class. But Mary had not a baby sister, and her mother did not often have bad headaches.
“Mother said I was to go to school, she would be sorry for me not to get the prize," said Annie, as she began to put on her jacket.
But all the time, a voice was speaking deep down in Annie's heart; saying just one little verse over and over again, "Even Christ pleased not himself." And Annie thought of one Sunday evening not many months before, when in that same room, she felt very unhappy, for the burden of sin pressing upon her heart and conscience. But she knew that Christ had died for all, that the sins of all who believe on Him as their Savior might be forgiven, and believingly she had looked to Him as her own precious Savior, and He had made her very, very happy, and she wished very much indeed she could do something to please Him.
Only the Sunday before, her much loved teacher, Miss Bruce, had been speaking to her girls about some of the many ways in which even young believers may let their light shine for Christ; she had told them how in everyday duties, at home or at school, at lessons or at play, they might please and follow Him whom "not having seen we love.”
Now here was an opportunity, and Annie thought, could it be wrong to wish to go to the Bible class? Oh, if baby would only go to sleep! But its fretful cry could be plainly heard where Annie stood, she knew she must decide quickly, for Nellie was calling, "Do come, Annie, or we shall all be late.”
For a moment longer Annie stood still, as if not quite certain what to do then kneeling by the side of her little bed she prayed, "O Lord, do help me to do right now, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.”
Only a very short prayer. But God, who is the hearer and answerer of all true prayer, sent an answer of peace. The struggle was over, and laying aside her jacket, Annie ran downstairs, saying, as she entered the sitting-room, "Mother dear, I am sure I can get baby to sleep if I walk up and down the room with her for a little while, and it would do your head good if you would rest till tea is ready. I know Nellie will be very careful of Rose and Johnnie when they cross the road; won't you, dear?”
Mrs. Ray was too ill and tired to say anything, but her grateful look, as she placed the baby in Annie's outstretched arms, told Annie that her mother understood and valued the little sacrifice she had made.
The younger children were soon on their way to school, and Mrs. Ray quietly resting in her room. Then Annie set herself to the work of getting baby to sleep. Carrying it backwards and forwards, she sang, but very softly, so as not to disturb her mother, one of her familiar hymns. At last the cry grew fainter, then ceased altogether; a little more patience, and baby was asleep. Laying it gently in the cradle, Annie put the room in order, and began getting the tea ready.
Half-past four brought the children home from school; soon after, Mr. Ray returned from his young men's class. I cannot tell you how happy Annie was to hear her mother say, "My headache is almost gone now, for the house was so quiet I went to sleep, and awoke just as tea was ready, feeling very much better for a little rest.”
A few more weeks and the long looked-for day, when the prizes were to be given, came at last, and though the first prize, "Pictures from Bible Lands," was awarded to Mary Wilson, Annie Ray received a neatly bound Reference Bible, on the fly of which, under Annie's name, Miss Bruce had written Annie's favorite text, "For even Christ pleased not himself." (Rom. 15:33For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Romans 15:3).)
Did Miss Bruce know anything about the battle that had been fought and won by Annie Ray? Perhaps not, but there was One who knew all about it, and He was the One whom Annie wanted most to please—the Lord Jesus Christ.
GREAT GOD, with wonder and with praise,
On all Thy works I look!
But still Thy wisdom, power and grace,
Shine brightest in Thy Book.
The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In Thy most holy word.
'Tis here I learn how Christ hath died,
To save my soul from hell;
Not all the books on earth beside,
Such heavenly wonders tell.
Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight,
By day to read its wonders o'er,
And meditate by night