KATE was a young servant—she was a Christian, and on the day of which I write, she stood in her little bedroom putting on her hat and jacket to run an errand for her mistress. But Kate’s face, reflected in the mirror, was not at all a happy one.
“Kate! Kate!” called her mistress, “are you not ready?” Kate obeys the summons and is soon on her way.
It was a lovely morning, and Kate had not walked very far before her usual good temper returned. “How wrong of me,” she said to herself, “to grumble because I have to leave my work to go and inquire after pool Miss S. I do hope she will be better this morning,” ―and as she thus spoke a sad look crossed her face― “for they say she is dying; but if she loves Jesus, she won’t be afraid, I know.”
Kate had found out a little of the love the Lord Jesus had for her, but she had not learned to leave everything with Him, and thus to overcome the impatience that arose in her heart because of her little trials and troubles.
Let us now look into the house where Kate is desired to call. A lady is seated in one of its windows, watching her with a heart full of bitterness. “Why,” sighs she, “should my daughter bear such suffering, and this servant-girl look so happy?” Then rising from her chair she goes to Kate, saying, “You come from Mrs. E., I believe, to inquire after my child. Perhaps a fresh, bright face might arouse her; I should like you to go in and take your message yourself.”
Kate, who had frequently come to the house to make enquiries, followed the lady upstairs, full of wonder why she, a little servant maid, should have such an honor paid her.
When they reached the bedroom, the lady left Kate standing just inside the room, sang she would return shortly. Kate fixed her eyes on the pale, wasted face of the dying girl; she had not before seen such a sight. Was she asleep? she wondered. No, for, opening her eyes, the invalid said, half to herself, half to Kate, “I’m so weary, oh! so weary.” In a moment all Kate’s timidity fled; her heart was filled with pity for the sufferer, and going over to the bedside, she bent down to that weary looking face and said, softly and tenderly, “Do you not know that Jesus will give you rest? He offers it to you now, He says Himself, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” Then becoming very bold, she took up a Bible near, and turning to Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28), read its precious words slowly over again.
“Mark it for me,” said the sick girl, “and tell me more about Him.” In the few precious moments thus given, Kate told the dying girl all she knew in her heart of Jesus and His love, and as she simply declared what a Saviour Jesus was to herself, the invalid exclaimed, “I see it; how good of Him!”
There was no time for more, the lady returned, and Kate went home with a wondering heart: Two weeks passed by, and once more Kate was sent to the house, having meantime heard of the death of the young lady.
In answer to her enquiries, one of the servants said Miss S. had died very happily. “She wasn’t the same after your visit. I suppose you are to have her Bible; she left it for you,” she added.
As you read this true but simple tale, think, dear young Christian friend, to what high service the blessed Master may call you, and how cheerfully you should enter by any door He may open for you, where you may, in your own simple way, speak lovingly for Him. J. P.