WALKING out one pleasant morning in a pretty road, I saw two little figures coming along together: one, a little boy evidently going to school, for he carried some books and a tablet; the other, a little girl with a tiny basket upon her arm, as though she had been sent out to make some purchase for her mother.
I was interested in the two little people, and watched them without being noticed; for some short distance they went on famously, and I was pleased to see how well they were attending to their duties, when suddenly Bertie, for I had heard his sister call him by that name, stopped, and in a thoughtful manner said: —
“I wonder if I have brought my marbles with me;” after a little search they were found, safe in his pocket, and bringing them forth he said, “Now see, Maudie, I will show you how well I can play;” and putting down his books and tablet against a garden wall, he began to play with the marbles. Now Maudie was very fond of her brother, and proud of him too, as all little girls should be; but still, remembering her mother had said they were not to stay upon the road, but that Bertie was to make haste to school and she to return quickly, said:—
“Do not let us stop, Bertie dear, for you know mother said we were not to do so; and remember the text we learned last Sunday,
“We should not be faithful if we disobeyed mother, should we?” and taking her brother’s hand they trotted quickly away as the school-bell began to ring, Bertie to the school doors, and Maudie to return to her mother, her trust well fulfilled.
And now, my dear little friends, do you try always to faithfully carry out the commands of our Heavenly Father? Are you brave and strong when pleasure tempts you to neglect some duty? But let us not trust in our own strength, but call on the Lord, and He will help us fight the good fight, and so at last shall we hear those joyful words:
ML 12/10/1933