d 'tis
doing very far from right to take what doesn't belong to one; it is
doing very wrong--it is stealing."

"I never should have thought that," said the page; "I wouldn't steal
sixpence from no one, that I wouldn't! but just taking something out of
a dish of good things that comes down from the parlour is altogether
different."

"Now I don't see any difference at all," said Ben, more earnestly than
before; "the long and the short of the matter is, that it's wrong, and
we mustn't do wrong even if we fancy good is to come out of it. Just
the contrary: we must do right, whatever we think may come out of it.
God says, `_Do right_.' He'll take care of the rest."

The page did not utter another word, and Ben had the satisfaction of
seeing him take the dishes into the housekeeper's room. This was a
great encouragement to him. "If I can persuade one person to do right
in what he thinks a trifle, I may persuade others; and, at all events, I
will go on, with God's help, doing so whenever I have an opportunity,"
said Ben to himself. "That is right, I know."

The page was not at all the less friendly after this, but he treated Ben
with much more respect, and Ben was very sorry to part with him. Nearly
his last words to him were, "Never mind what you have been accustomed to
think or to do, but just remember to do right at all times. Jesus
Christ, who came on earth to save us, and to teach us how to live and
act in the world, has left us an example that we should walk in His
steps. And if we were always to ask ourselves what He would have done
if He had been put in our place, and do accordingly, that will be the
right thing for us."

Ben spoke so naturally and so earnestly, that the page didn't think it
anything like canting; but he answered, "I'll try and do what you say,
Ben, and when you're away at sea perhaps you'll remember me, and ask God
to show me what's right. He's more likely to listen to you than to me."

"Oh no, no! don't suppose that for a moment!" exclaimed Ben. "He's
ready to hear all who call upon Him faithfully. He's very kind, and
loving, and gentle. He waits to be gracious. We should never get
better if we waited to get better of ourselves. We must go to Him just
as we are, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to wash away our sins; that
will do it--nothing else."

Little Ben had an advantage over a very large number of people, educated
and rich, as well as poor and humble. He had been all hi