A poor sick man might go to the door of some rich person"s house and ask relief for himself and not be able to obtain admittance; but if he brought in his hand a paper written by the son of the master of the house, whom he had met with in a distant land, and in his name asked for the relief, his request would be granted for the sake of the master"s son.
Now we all need friends and every one tries to get and keep a few friends. Children will love a little dog, or a lamb, or a dove, or a bird. The little boy will talk to his top, and the little girl will talk to her doll, which shows that they want a friend; and if the top and the doll could talk and love them, they would feel happier.
Some years ago there was an Indian in the State of Maine, who for his very good conduct had a large farm given him by the State. He built his little house on his land, and there lived. The white people about him did not treat him so kindly as they ought. His only child was taken sick and died, and none of the whites went to comfort him, or to a.s.sist him in burying his little child. Soon after, he went to the white people, and said to them--"When white man"s child die, Indian may be sorry--he help bury him--when my child die, no one speak to me--I make his grave alone. I can no live here, for I have no friend to love me."
The poor Indian gave up his farm, dug up the body of his child, and carried it with him 200 miles through the forest, to join the Canada Indians.
The Indian loved his child, and he wanted friends. So you children will need a friend to look to every day. When we are sick, in distress, or about to die, we want a friend in whom we may trust and be happy.
Wherefore did G.o.d create pa.s.sions within us, pleasures round about us, but that these, rightly tempered, are the very ingredients of virtue.--_Milton_.
GATHER THE FLOWERS.
Two little girls went into the fields to gather flowers. b.u.t.tercups, violets, and many other blossoms were in abundance. One of the girls was pleased with every thing, and began to pick such flowers as came in her way. In a short time she collected a great quant.i.ty of flowers, and though some of them were not very handsome, yet they made a very beautiful bunch. The other child was more dainty and determined to get her none but those which were very beautiful. The b.u.t.tercups were all of one color and did not strike her fancy--the blue violets were too common, and so the little pair wandered on through the fields till they were about to return home. By this time the dainty child, seeing that her sister had a fine collection of flowers while she had none, began to think it best to pick such as she could get. But now the flowers were scarce; not even a dandelion nor a flower was to be found. The little girl at length begged of her sister a single dandelion, and thus they returned home. The children told their story, and their mother addressed them thus--"My dear children, let this event teach you a lesson. Jane has acted the wisest part. Content with such flowers as came in her way, and not aiming at what was beyond her reach, she has been successful in her pursuit. But Laura wanted something more beautiful than could be found, collected nothing from the field, and was finally obliged to beg a simple flower from her sister. So it is, children, in pa.s.sing through life--gather what is good and pleasant along your path, and you will, day by day, collect enough to make you contented and happy. But if you scorn those blessings which are common, and reach after those which are more rare and difficult to be obtained, you will meet with frequent difficulties, and at last be dependant on others. So gather the flowers as you go along the pathway of life."
Think not all is well within when all is well without; or that thy being pleased is a sign that G.o.d is pleased: but suspect every thing that is prosperous, unless it promotes piety, and charity, and humility.--_Taylor_.
G.o.d hath given to man a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends.--_Taylor_.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
JANE AND HER LESSONS.
It is a mark of a good scholar to be prompt and studious. Such were the habits of little Jane Sumner. She was the youngest of three sisters, and from her first being able to read, she was very fond of reading; and at school her teacher became much interested in little Jane on account of her interest in study, and the promptness she manifested in reciting her lessons. Jane had a quiet little home and was allowed considerable time for study, although she had to devote some time in a.s.sisting her mother about house.
There was a very fine garden attached to Mrs. Sumner"s residence, where she took much pleasure in cultivating the flowers. In the centre of the garden was built a summer house all covered over with grape vine. The broad leaves of the vine made a refreshing shade to it, and thereby shielded the warm sun from persons under it. This little summer house Jane frequently occupied for her study. In the picture you see her with book in hand getting her lesson. She arose very early in the morning, and by this means gained much time.
Up in the morning early, By daylight"s earliest ray, With our books prepared to study The lessons of the day.
Little Jane, for her industry and good scholarship, obtained quite a number of "rewards of merit," which her schoolmates said she justly deserved. There is one of them with these lines:
For conduct good and lessons learned, Your teacher can commend; Good scholarship has richly earned This tribute from your friend.
On one day, she came running home very much pleased with her card, which her teacher gave herself and her little sister Emma, for their good conduct and attention to their studies. The card contained these lines:
See, Father! mother, see!
To my sister and me, Has our teacher given a card, To show that we have studied hard.
To you we think it must be pleasant, To see us both with such a present.
Every good boy and girl will be rewarded, and all such as are studious, and respectful to their teachers, will always get a reward.
G.o.d never allowed any man to do nothing. How miserable is the condition of those men who spend their time as if it were _given_ them, and not lent.--_Bishop Hall_.
HARVEST SONG.
Now the golden ear wants the reaper"s hand, Banish every fear, plenty fills the land.
Joyful raise songs of praise, Goodness, goodness, crowns our days.
Yet again swell the strain, He who feeds the birds that fly, Will our daily wants supply.
CHORUS--
As the manna lay, on the desert ground, So from day to day, mercies flow around.
As a father"s love gives his children bread, So our G.o.d above grants, and we are fed.
Think in the morning what thou hast to do this day, and at night what thou hast done; and do nothing upon which thou mayest not boldly ask G.o.d"s blessing; nor nothing for which thou shalt need to ask his pardon.--_Anon_.
TELLING SECRETS.
There is a company of girls met together, and what can they be talking about. Hark! "Now I will tell you something, if you"ll promise never to tell," says Jane. "I will, certainly," replied Anne. "And will you promise _never_ to tell a single living creature as long as you live?"
The same reply is given, "_I will never tell_."
Now Jane tells the secret, and what is it? It turns out to be just nothing at all, and there is no good reason why every body should"nt know it. It is this--"Lizzy Smith is going to have a new bonnet, trimmed with pink ribbon and flowers inside." Anna thinks no more of her solemn promise, and the first school-mate she meets, she opens the secret, with a solemn injunction for her not to tell. By and by the secret is all out among the girls--the promises are all broken. Now, children, remember your word--keep it true, and never make a promise which you do not intend to keep, and always avoid telling foolish secrets.
AGNES AND THE MOUSE.
One brilliant Christmas day, two little girls were walking towards a neighboring village, when they observed a little creature walking about the road. "Surely," said Mary, "it is a large mouse;" and it did not seem to be afraid, so they thought from its tameness, it must be hungry.
"Poor little thing," said Agnes, "I wish I had something to give you."