55
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
February, 1935
Junior KING ’S BUSINESS B y M a r t h a S. H o o k e r
THE MISSIONARY BOX Bv I rene H unter the missionary box that was being packed, and about the missionary’s little daughter who had never had a doll in all her life. Mary had told her teacher that she would bring a doll to put in the box. Just how hard it would be to decide'which one to send, she had had no idea when she prom ised. And this was the reason she had stood the dolls all up in a row. She thought it would help her to decide. Her Sunday-school teacher had told her that the missionary’s daughter was just as old as Mary—five years old. And to think she had never had a dolly in all her lifel How would that feel? She must often be very lonesome while her mother and daddy were away telling the people about Jesus, Mary thought. This made Mary think of her Sunday- school lessons. She remembered how happy she was when she had heard about God’s gift to her—of how He had sent Jesus just because He loved her so. Jesus was the only Son God had, and He had given Him to her. Jesus had to suffer, too, on the cross for her. Surely she could give just one dolly out o f five for the missionary box, for Jesus’ sake. Just then Mother called from the dining room, “Mary, supper is ready. Come and eat, darling.” All during the supper, Mary could see her five dollies all standing in a row ; and she could think only o f the mis sionary box, and of God who gave His best, and of Jesus who died for her. May
M ary stood her dollies all in a row. There were five of them. Mary was just five years old. That meant one doll for each year. Some of them were beautiful dolls, others not so beautiful, but Mary loved them all. First there was Ragsie Sue, the first doll Mary had ever owned. A bit o f the cotton was coming out of the place where Trixie the dog had chewed a hole in her leg. Her dress was rather faded, and one arm was almost off. Ragsie Sue was getting rather old; still, Mary didn’t see how she could ever get along without her. Then there was Molly. Molly had pink cheeks and shiny black hair and bright blue eyes, all o f china. Molly didn’t look quite as pretty as she once had, because she was almost four years old now.. Some of the paint was chipped, and one of her thumbs had broken off when Mary dropped her on the cement walk. Anyway, Molly was a lot of fun to play with, especially when Mary had a tea party for her dollies. Molly stood up so nice and straight beside the table, just like a little waitress. How could Mary ever get along without Molly? The third doll was Katie. How Mary did love this doll I She had come to keep Mary company when Mary had the mea sles. She was just a little doll, one that Mary could have when she was in bed, and could hold without getting too tired. She was made o f china, too, but her arms and legs and head could move. Mary had enjoyed talking to her and playing with her all of those two weeks that she was kept in bed. Mary always had a happy feeling inside when she looked at Katie, for she never forgot how much company she had been. One thing was certain— Mary just had to have Katie always I Then there was Mary’s only boy doll. She called him Boy Blue because he wore such a pretty blue suit when he came. True, the suit was faded a bit now, but Boy Blue was just as dear to Mary’s heart as he was on the day he became her very own. How could she get along without Boy Blue to play Doctor when the other dollies were ill? She just couldn’t 1 She just wouldn’t think about it. Finally, Mary’s eyes rested with tender ness on the last doll in the row. This was her very, very best and dearest dolly. Mary had never had a doll like her before. She called her the very sweetest name she could think of—Nancy—that was her mother’s name. Nancy was a dear baby doll with eyes that opened and closed, and she had the sweetest baby face with the dearest pink cheeks and tiny red lips. Then, too, she was just the right size for Mary to hold in her arms and cuddle up close to her. Mary couldn’t keep the tears out of her eyes when she thought of part ing with Nancy. But she knew she was going to be saying “ good-by” to one o f them. You see, Mary’s Sunday-school teacher had told her about
be she could give Katie—but no—not Katie. If she had to give one, she guessed it would have to be Ragsie Sue or Molly. She never even thought of Nancy or Boy Blue. She never could give Nancy. That night when company came, Mary was a very quiet little girl. She was glad when Mother said, “Mary, it’s time for bed. Come on, dear; let’s get tucked in.” That night when Mary knelt down to pray, she said, at the very close of the prayer, “ Dear Jesus, please bless the lit tle missionary girl and her mother and daddy as they tell the people about You.” After Mother had tucked her in and had gone back to the company, Mary tried to go to sleep, but all she could see—even though her eyes were closed— was her five dollies where she had left them—and the missionary box waiting for a dolly. Jesus had died on the cross for her be cause He loved her that much. And she loved Him, too, but how much? Yes, she did love Him enough to give Him her very best. That meant her own little Nancy doll. With a happy smile, Mary fell asleep. That is the way it happened that Mary greeted Mother with such a happy face the next morning as she told her that she was sending Nancy to help fill the missionary box. This is the way it happened, too, that a little missionary girl who had never had a dolly in all the five years of her life was made glad as she helped her mother and daddy open a missionary box. Mary had given her best for Jesus. Search-the-Bible Contest In the next three issues o f the K in g ’ s ; B u s in e s s , parts of Bible verses will be given, which you are to write out in full, giving book, chapter, and verse. At thd' close of the contest, those sending in a correct list will receive a reward. 1. “W e have found the Messias.”
2. “ I am the door.” 3. :“ It is finished.”
4. : “ I will come again.” 5. “ Peace be unto you.” 6. “Ye must be born again.” 7. “ Behold the Lamb of God.” 8. “ Come and dine.” 9. “My Lord and my God.” 10. “ Peace I leave with you.”
11. “Whereas I was blind, now I see.” 12. “ If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” 13. “All things were made by him.” 14. “Jesus wept.” 15. “ I am the voice o f one crying in the wilderness.” 16. “Will ye also go away?” 17. “Woman, behold thy son I” . 18. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” 19. “I am the bread o f life.” 20. “He must increase, but I must de crease.”
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker