Christianity, as a system, must go deeper
down into the heart than that. But we have begun with you, friend,
and we will keep on. Perhaps you will see yourself a little
differently by the time we are through. A poor mechanic, who had
done some trifling work at your house, called, recently, with his
little bill of three dollars and forty cents. You were talking with
a customer, when this man came into your store and handed you his
small account. You opened it with a slight frown on your brow. He
had happened to come at a time when you felt yourself too much
engaged to heed this trifling matter. How almost rudely you thrust
the coarse, soiled piece of paper on which he had written his
account back upon him, saying, "I can't attend to you now!" The poor
man went out hurt and disappointed. Was that gentlemanly conduct?
No, sir! Was it Christian? Look at the formula of Christian life.
"As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them."
"He should have waited until I was at leisure," you answer. "When a
man is engaged with a customer who buys at the rate of hundreds and
thousands, he don't want paltry bills thrust into his face. He'll
know better next time."
Have you settled the bill yet?
"No. He called day before yesterday, but couldn't give change for
ten dollars."
Why haven't you sent him the trifling sum? He worked over half a day
at your house, and your family have been more comfortable for what
he did there ever since.
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