How to Be Useful

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

ALMOST every little boy and girl would like to be of some use in this world, but sometimes it is hard to know what to do in order to be useful.

What is needed most of all, I think, is a pair of quick eyes to see what is needed. If boys and girls have quick eyes and willing hands, they will find ever so many ways of being useful, at home, in school, and in whatever other place they may happen to be.

The boy who has quick eyes will see when papa wants a book from the library, and will offer to go and get it without waiting to be asked. He will see when mama wants something from the store, and will offer to run such an errand before he goes off to play ball.

The girl who has quick eyes will see when grandma wants her needle threaded, and will do it so promptly, and yet so quietly, that grandma will feel as if fairy fingers were helping her to sew. The girl with quick eyes will see when baby is restless, and will gently care for its wants, and thus often help mama.

The boy or girl with quick eyes will see when teacher is tired, and will be so still and attentive in the class room that she will feel that her pupils are actually helping her to teach.

There are so many things that we can do to help others, if only we have quick eyes. Let us try to be as useful in this world as we can possibly be, and we shall find that life grows sweeter and happier the longer we live.—Apples of Gold.