THE FIRST FRUIT.



LUELLA was once made the owner of the grapes upon a large vine in her father's yard. Very anxious was she that they should ripen and be fit to eat. The time finally came.

 "Now for a feast," said her brother to her one morning, as he pulled some beautiful ones for her to eat. "Yes, but they are the first ripe fruit.'"

"Well, what of that?" 

"Father told me that he gives God the first out of all the money he makes, and that then he always feels happier in spending the rest, and I want to give the first of my grapes to God, too."

"Ah, but," said her brother, "how can you give grapes to God? And even if you were able to do such a thing, he would not care for them."

"Oh, I have found out the way," said she. "Jesus said, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me;' and I mean to go and give them to Mrs. Martin's sick child, who never sees grapes, because her mother is too poor to buy them." 

And away ran Luella, with a large basket of the "first fruit" of the vine, and other good things, all beautifully arranged, to the couch of the sick child.

"I've brought Mary some ripe fruit," said she to Mrs. Martin.

"Dear child, may God bless you a thousand-fold for your loving gift! Here, Mary, see what a basket of good things has been brought you."

The sick one was almost overcome with emotion as she clasped the hand of her young friend, and expressed her thanks. Do you not think that this little girl enjoyed eating the rest of her grapes better than if she had kept them all for herself?