e 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
d