74 The True Riches.

Then the boy, quite contented, sat down to his food ;

He was hungry and tired, and his supper was good !

But a few moments after, he heard at the door

A knock low and timid, one knock and no more.

He started to open it, hoping to meet

The Lord Jesus Christ come to look for His seat ;

But when it was open, he no one could see

But a poor little child, much poorer than he,

His face blue with hunger, his garments, so old,

Were dripping with rain, aad he shivered with cold.

“ Come in !” cried the boy, in a tone of delight,

“I suppose the Lord Christ could not come here
to-night,

Though we asked Him to come and partake of our
bread ;

So He’s just sent you down to us here in His stead.

The supper is good, and we’ll each give you some,

And tell the Lord Christ we are glad you have come.”

From that time, when the children assembled to eat,

There was always one place called “The Lord Jesus’
seat,”

And the best that they had was placed there each day

For one who was poorer and hungrier than they ;

And the Lord Jesus Christ, in reply to their grace,

Sent always some person to sit in His place ;

And sweet was the food that the Lord did provide

For the stranger He sent them to eat at their side.

Dear friends, who have read this short story, you
know

The words that our Saviour once spake when below:

Ii we wish for His presence to hallow our bread,