A young girl, who was very skillful with her needle, used to work for a large lace faory; she gave her employer great satisfaction, and earned a good sum each week. She could copy the most difficult pattern exactly, and whenever the employer had some very special piece of work to be done, that needed great care, he would give it to Maggie, who did the work at her own home.
One day she told her employer that she would not be able to work for him much longer, as she was to be married in a few weeks.
“I am very sorry indeed, Maggie, that you are going to give up the work,” said he, “and scarcely know what I shall do with some of my difficult patterns.”
“O, sir, if you don’t mind giving the work in future to my younger sister, Mary, I think she will be able to give you perfect satisfaction, as she has so often seen me working, and can manage it nearly as well as I can.”
“Well, I will gladly give her a trial.” So Mary soon began to call at the factory for the work, and the employer found that she was quite competent and reliable.
One day he sent for her, and said that he had a large and important order, but the pattern was very difficult, and the work had to be done in about three weeks, so he showed her the design, and asked whether she could undertake to do it.
Mary examined it carefully, and said she fully expected to be able to manage it; so took the work home and began it in right good earnest.
But something, happened that was very sad for poor Mary—the next day she was taken seriously ill! Poor girl! she tried to work but could not; her head throbbed and her hand shook, and she was obliged to go to bed and have the doctor, who told her she must not attempt to get up, or do the needlework. That was a great blow for Mary, but she sent for her sister Maggie and told her what the doctor said. She was much distressed at the thought of not completing the work, and said, “What am I to do, Maggie?”
“O, never mind about that, just lie still and make haste and get well I will take the work away and finish it in good time.”
The day came, Maggie brought back the work beautifully done, and Mary was well enough by that time to take it to the office.
The gentleman examined it carefully, compared it with the pattern, and said:
“I am very much pleased indeed, Mary, it is perfect; but did you really do it all yourself?”
Mary blushed, and was obliged to say,
“No, sir, I only commenced it, and then was taken ill, and my sister finished the work for me.”
“O, never mind who did it,” said he, “the work is well done,” and he paid her handsomely.
Surely I need not tell you how she thanked her kind and able sister, who really did the work for which she obtained a reward!
And we, who were sick with the terrible disease of sin, and could never obtain salvation by our own efforts, can only fall down before our blessed. Saviour, who has accomplished the work of remption for us, and thank Him, not only with our lips, but in our lives, and crown Him Lord of all.
ML 02/14/1943