CLARRIE was very fond of nice things; indeed she was at times tempted to be greedy; and, as she was the only daughter in a family of six children, her five brothers would often yield to their petted sister, and let her have her own way. Yet, to do Clarrie justice, we must add that the child had a keen sense of right and wrong, and did really wish to do right. She was well aware of her own self-love, and hated it, so that the child often had to fight a battle between right and wrong, as real as is fought by an older Christian.
Clarrie had a cousin Mary. They did not often meet, and, to tell the truth, they did not get on very well together. A greater contrast than the two children could not well be conceived. In one thing, however, they were both alike, each being an only daughter, and each having five brothers.
Both children were in the habit of visiting their grandmother, and there, where all was made so happy for them, a good deal that was not pleasant occurred—sharp words, jealousy, and other unlovely behavior.
Now Clarrie was a Christian child, and did desire to please the Lord, though she found it very hard to do so when Mary was with her. One day a friend gave Clarrie a large and beautiful orange, and, as our story relates to a time, some years ago, when oranges were not the common fruit in England they now are, the child prized it much, and the more so, as very seldom did a whole orange fall to her share. It so happened that Clarrie had been reading a little book called “A Kiss for a Blow," in which the forgiveness of injuries was strongly insisted upon, and also the blessedness of the Christian who imitates the example of our divine Master. As the child gazed upon the beautiful fruit, of which she was so fond, the thought came to her, “How nice it would be if I could give Mary this orange, that she may know I want her to love me!" Immediately the temptation arose, "She never gives you any of her nice things, and is always jealous of you." When once more her thoughts, instructed by divine teaching, responded, "You often say you wish to do as Jesus did, then deny yourself and give it for His sake."
So Clarrie rushed out to her cousin, and, placing the orange in her hand, said, “This is for you." Mary did not believe she was in earnest, but that little action became a turning point in the regard of the two little girls for each other. The little act also became a great step towards a course of self-denial and self-control in Clarrie, for a few days after the incident, her mother bade her do something she did not at all like. "But it will please Jesus," she thought, and remembering the word, "Children, obey your parents," she instantly said, "Yes, mother," and did cheerfully as she was bidden.
Some may think such a trifle as the gift of an orange is not worth writing about, but I can assure my readers it was no small thing on Clarrie's part, and the act was one that resulted in much blessing for her, for it was done "for Jesus' sake." Very often a little action becomes the first step on the happy pathway of Christian living. RHODA.