Counting for More Than One
A WOMAN whose home duties were insistent was bewailing her comparative uselessness when it came to church work, or indeed any work outside of her own home. “I go to church—when I can,” she said, rather ruefully. “Even then all I can do is to count for one. I can’t do anything.” The wise woman who was listening answered of her wisdom: “Nobody ever counts for just one; you count for everybody you can influence. One is a force and center of power in proportion to the number of people he can influence. Count for one, indeed! I happen to know that you counted for six people in church this very last Sabbath. It was rainy, you know, and we were all in slippers and easy-gowns, John and I and all three of the girls. ‘There!’ said I, as you passed the window, ‘if that woman can manage to get her work out of the way and go this rainy morning, I won’t listen to any excuses from the rest of you!’” “O, yes,” put in the other, blushingly, “I remember all about it! I had sixteen minds about going out in the wet, but Benny was at home with his lame knee,—you know he got hurt at football,—and he said, ‘Mother, you can go just as well as not. I’ll look after the babies.’ So I went, for I thought there would be a slim houseful such a rainy day, and I’d count for one anyway.” “Just so!” nodded her friend smiling. “And you counted for six instead! We made just a good seatful. It was funny to see the minister’s look of astonishment when we all filed in. I had the greatest mind to get up and say ’twas all your doing.”—Congregationalist.