you.  The strawberries would certainly not go round, So you hurried down a cup of tea, and swallowed some toast quickly.  Then you said to the waiter, “Bring me the strawberries.”  They were brought and set before you.  And now, were you simply just in securing your share, if the number fell below a dozen berries?  You were taking care of yourself; but in doing so, were not others’ rights invaded.  We shall see.  There were eight persons at the table, two of them children.  The dish held but little over a quart; of these nearly one-third were taken by you!  Would a true gentleman have done that?  You haven’t thought of it since!  We are sorry for you then.  One of the children, who only got six berries, cried through half the evening from disappointment.  And an invalid, whose blood would have gained life from the rich juice of the fruit, got none.

“It was a little selfish, I admit.  But I am so fond of strawberries; and at hotels, you know, every one must take care of himself.”

A true gentleman maintains his character under all circumstances, and a Christian, as a matter of course.  A true gentleman defers to others.  He takes so much pleasure in the enjoyment of others, that he denies himself in order to secure their gratification.  Can a Christian do less and honor the name he bears?

“It wasn’t right, I see.”

Was it gentlemanly?

“No.”

Christian?

“Perhaps not, strictly speaking.”

In the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity still, we fear, for all your profession.  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.  He needs the money, for he is a poor man.