His statutes and commands Are set before our eyes; He puts the gospel in our hands, Where our salvation lies.
His laws are just and pure, His truth without deceit; His promise is for ever sure, And his rewards are great.
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PLEASANT PLAY.
There are many plays in which children may amuse themselves so as to benefit both the mind and body. Exercise is very essential to the health, and all children should accustom themselves to such exercise as will give elasticity to all the muscles of the body. Some children often play too hard, and others, before they get through playing, get to quarrelling. Children never appear so badly as when they quarrel with each other. Joseph and William, Jane and little Susan, are out in the garden playing "hide and seek," around the summer house, as you see in the picture. William became a little contrary, because every thing in the play did not suit him, and declared he would run away. And you see how cross he looks at Jane, as he turns round to run away. Children should never let anger rise in their bosoms because of some small mistake on the part of others. They should always overlook all mistakes, forgive all injuries, and learn to love each other when at play, as well as when at school. Good children will play together, without getting angry, and it is a pretty sight to see such children all happy in each other"s society, and enjoying their pleasant pastimes, with cheerful and happy hearts.
Our evil actions spring like trees, From small and hidden seeds; We think, or wish some wicked thing, And then do wicked deeds.
Whoever dares to tell a lie, Whoever steals a pin, Whoever strikes an angry blow, Has done a deed of sin.
GEORGE AND HIS GUINEA.
Little George Ames went with his Aunt to attend a missionary meeting.
After the minister had ended his sermon, as he sat in the pew he whispered to his aunt, saying, "I wish you would lend me a guinea and I will give it to you again when we get home." His aunt asked him what he wanted of his guinea; he told her he wished to put it in the box when it came round, to a.s.sist in sending the gospel to the heathen children. She replied, "a guinea is a great deal of money, George; you had better ask your mother, first." As George"s mother lived very near the church, he went home immediately, and said, "Mother, will you let me have my guinea to give to the mission." George"s mother saw that he was very much interested for the heathen children, and says to him, "supposing you give half of it." "No," said George, "I want to give it all."
"Well, my dear, you will remember you cannot give it and have it too."
She then gave him a one pound note, and a shilling. But George said he would rather have a guinea. "Why," said his mother, "what difference can it make? it is just the same amount." "Yes," said George, "but that one pound will seem so much for a little boy to give. If I had a guinea, I could put it in between two half-pence and n.o.body would know any thing about it." His mother was pleased with his proposal, and George having got his guinea returned to the church and put it in the box as he intended.
Little George is now dead, and there is no danger of his being puffed up by what he has done. You may learn from this act of George, how to do some good to poor heathen children. You should be willing to deny yourselves some pleasures in order that you may benefit others. And if you do good out of a pure motive you will be blessed in the deed.
THE JEW AND HIS DAUGHTER.
A Jew came to this country from London, many years ago, and brought with him all his property. He had a lovely daughter of seventeen; with her he settled in a charming retreat on the fruitful banks of the Ohio, in the Western part of Virginia. He had buried his wife before he left Europe, and he knew no comfort but the company of his beloved daughter. She possessed an amiable disposition, and was well educated; she could speak several languages, and her manners pleased all who knew her. Being a Jew, he brought up his daughter in the strictest principles of his faith.
It was not long after that his daughter was taken sick. The rose faded from her cheek, her strength failed, and it was certain that she could not live long. Her father was deeply affected. He tried to talk with her, but could seldom speak without weeping. He spared no expense to have her get well. One day he was walking in the wood near his house when he was sent for by his dying daughter. With a heavy heart he entered the door of her room, and he saw that he was now to take the last farewell of his daughter.
"My father," said the child, "do you love me?" "Yes," he replied, "you know that I love you." "I know, father, you have ever loved me. You have been a kind father, and I tenderly love you. Grant me my dying request."
"What is it, my child? ask what you will, though it take every farthing of my property, it shall be granted. I _will grant_ your request."
"My dear father, I now beg of you never again to speak lightly of Jesus of Nazareth; I know that he is a Saviour, and that he has made himself known to me, since I have been sick, even for the salvation of my soul.
I entreat you to obtain a Testament that tells of him and that you may bestow on him the love that was formerly _mine_." She now ceased speaking, her father left the room, when her soul took its flight to G.o.d who gave it. After her decease the parent purchased a Testament and read about Jesus of Nazareth, and is now a devoted Christian. Good children may be made blessings to their parents and friends.
ANECDOTES.
TRUE BENEFICENCE.--Mark Antony, when very much depressed, and at the ebb of his fortune, cried out, "I have lost all, except what I have given away."
WASHINGTON AND THE SOLDIER.--A British soldier said, "It was once in my power to shoot Gen. Washington." "Why, then," said an American, "did you not do it?" "Because," he replied, "the death of Washington would not have been for our benefit, for we depended upon him to treat our prisoners kindly."
YES AND NO.--John Randolph, in one of his letters to a young relative, says: "You must expect unreasonable requests to be preferred to you every day of your life; and you must endeavor to say _no_ with as much facility and kindness as you would say _yes_."
OSCEOLA.--It is said that the name of Osceola was given to that famous chief by an old lady in a frontier village, who had newly arrived in the country, and had never seen an Indian. When she saw him she burst forth in utter astonishment--"Oh see! Oh la! What a curious looking man!"
SIGISMOND.--This Emperor was once reproached by some courtiers for being favorable to his foes--to whom he replied, "Do I not effectually destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
CHINESE PROVERBS.
What is told in the ear is often heard a hundred miles.
Riches come better after poverty, than poverty after riches.
Who aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocrity will fall short of it.
No remedies can revive old age and faded flowers.
A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.
He who toils with pain will eat with pleasure.
A wise man forgets old grudges.
Those that dare lose a day are dangerously prodigal; those that dare mis-spend it, desperate.--_Bishop Hall_.
Truth enters into the heart of man when it is empty, and clean and still: but when the mind is shaken with pa.s.sion as with a storm, you can never hear the voice of the charmer, though he charm never so wisely.
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COMFORT AND SOBRIETY.