Gifts

The old building in which a certain Sunday School met was past repair, and it became absolutely necessary for a new one to be built. One Sunday the superintendent announced that on a certain date he would sit at his desk to receive gifts from the scholars toward the cost of the proposed new building. The great day arrived, and all the scholars passed before the superintendent and placed their gifts in a large box which was on his desk. All gave, except one little chap sitting in the back seat.

He was wearing ragged clothes, and looked exceedingly poor. He sat quite still for some time, and then rising from his seat, went very nervously towards the front, and said to the superintendent: "If you please, sir, I have no father, and mother is too ill to work; I have no money, but I have got a peg-top and five marbles, and I will be glad to give them if they are of any use." The superin­tendent was much moved by the boy's action in giving all that he had, and at once thought of the widow's mite. He heartily thanked the boy, and the top and the marbles were placed in the box on top of the money. The Minister of the Church was told the story, and mentioned the incident in the course of his sermon that same evening. At the close of the service a gentleman offered to give $10 for the top and marbles. The story appeared in the newspapers the next week, and before very long the top and marbles had been the means of adding over $100 to the fund. The boy gave all that he had, because he wanted to do all he could to help his Sunday School. He gave his best, his little all, and God multiplied his gifts, very much as He did the few small loaves and fishes that a boy once gave to Jesus, and which were so multiplied that soon people were fed from them. Have we given our best, our all, to Jesus? Have we given Him ourselves, our talents and our love? He multiplies and blesses all gifts when given out of real and sincere love for Him.