THIS is a picture of little Gretchen and her two pets. Would you not like to own them? Fido is a beautiful. large dog, with a shaggy coat and a bright looking face. No doubt, he can do mealy clever tricks. Tabby is a black cat with a very glossy skin. Behind little Gretchen is Tabby’s cunning little kitten.
As we look at these two little animals, we cannot help noticing that they are very well trained. Gretchen’s mamma has given her a howl of nice, warm soup. Gretchen has a spoon in her hand and the two little pets understand that she is going to ear the soup for her dinner. A great many animals would jump upon the stool and try to help themselves, but this cat and dog stay quietly by and do not even make a noise to show their mistress how much they wish to have a taste. We cannot see the cat’s face but from the way she is standing we know that she is very hungry. Fido’s tongue hangs out as if he already had his share of the soup.
Fido and Tabby would put many little children to shame. It is very common to find little ones and even brothers and sisters, who are very selfish. Each wishes to have the best and largest share and makes a great noise in trying to get it. Other children do not wait to have older people help them at the table but, instead, reach for any thing they wish to have. A great many of these little folks have often been told the right way but do not give heed to mother’s words. For such little ones God has said, “Children obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:2020Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20).
It is possible to please the Lard in even such things, as table manners.
Every selfish child should learn by heart the following verse from God’s blessed Word: “ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO, TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM.” Matt. 7:1212Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12).
If we learn this in our hearts as well as our minds, we shall grow unwilling to have more than others.
ML 11/25/1906