,the ,baldwin ,library ,,rmb ,university of ,florida ,,from ,,the ,,library ,,of ,,paul ,,virginia ,,crowley ,,our ,,gift4 ,,boston3 ,,abel ,,tompkins1 ,,no4 #ch ,,cornhill4 #ahea4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahej1 ,by ,,abel ,,tompkins1 ,in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of the ,district of ,massachusetts4 ,,dedication4 ,we offer no words of inspired thought1 ,no gems from the mines of wisdom brought1 ,no flowers of language to deck the page1 ,no borrowed glories of ,muse or ,sage2 ,but an offering simple and pure we bring1 ,and a wreath of wild roses around it fling2 ,not culled from the shades of enamelled bowers1 ,but watered by love's own gentle showers4 ,in tones of affection we here would speak2 ,to waken an echo of love we seek2 ,we mingle our tears for the early dead1 ,to the land of spirits before us fled4 ,while a moral we humbly would here entwine ,with the flowers we lay on affection's shrine1 ,we pray that the light of religion may dawn1 ,to brighten our pathway each coming morn4 ,then with love for each other ,,our ,,gift we bring1 ,and love for the memories that round it cling1 ,and trust in the hopes that are lighted here1 ,to burn with new brightness each passing year4 ,and as ,time moves on with unceasing tread1 ,and the flowers of youth are withered and dead1 ,may no sigh of regret to the past be given1 ,as it peacefully fades in the light of ,heaven4 ,,preface4 ,,our ,,gift has been prepared as a token of affection for our ,sunday school ,pupils1 and it is hoped that it may serve a similar purpose in the hands of other teachers4 ,it has been said1 that ,he who gives his thought1 gives a part of himself4 ,it was this idea that suggested the offering we now bring4 ,we do not claim for it especial excellence4 ,we are aware that its pages have not uniform merit4 ,when we state that they are from the pens of twenty-five different teachers1 few of whom are accustomed to write for the public eye1 we offer the only apology for the imperfections of the work1 which1 in our judgment1 the circumstances of the case demand4 ,if this explanation shall not cause the critic to throw the work aside1 we would welcome him to whatever pleasure he may find in its perusal4 ,of the defects which it contains1 we prefer to share jointly the responsibility2 and have1 therefore1 omitted to attach signatures to the several articles4 ,the shorter paragraphs1 scattered through the work1 embody ideas from several contributions which have been excluded by its narrow limits4 ,such as it is1 we present it to the public generally1 and especially to our pupils1 as a slight token of the ardent love we bear them1 humbly praying that the moral lessons it contains may find a place in their hearts1 and contribute to the formation of such a character as involves within itself the highest form of blessing4 ,,teachers ,,of ,,the ,,school ,,street ,,universalist ,,sunday ,,school1 ,,boston4 ,,contents4 ,dedication ,preface ,remember me ,honor thy ,parents ,uncharitable ,judgment ,boys become ,men ,to the ,portrait of ,father ,ballou ,susan's ,repentance and ,appeal to her ,elder ,sister ,little ,emma ,the ,old ,sabbath ,schoolroom ,the ,hunter1 and his ,dog ,jowler--,a ,fable ,take ,care of your ,books ,my ,niece ,teachers' ,library ,scholars' ,library ,agatha ,responsibility ,duty of ,parents ,a ,scholar's ,remembrance of the ,pic-,nic of #ahej ,rain ,drops ,obey the ,rules ,the ,ways of ,providence ,to ,alberta ,the ,discontented ,squirrel--,a ,fable ,school ,street ,society ,the ,example of the ,bee ,the ,morning ,walk ,true ,satisfaction ,female ,education ,one ,family ,summer ,thoughts--,a ,fable ,a ,talk with the ,children ,uncle ,jimmy ,the ,child's ,dream of ,heaven ,the ,influence of ,sabbath ,schools ,memory ,selfishness ,trouble ,revenge ,a ,biographical ,sketch ,the ,sabbath ,school ,boys ,fear of ,death ,ill ,temper ,reading ,a ,sabbath ,school ,excursion ,christ and ,duty ,,our ,,gift4 ,,remember ,,me4 ,remember me6 ,how swift the tide ,of memory glideth o'er the past2 ,those sunny hours so quickly sped1 ,perchance a few with clouds o'ercast4 ,but memory hath more lasting flowers1 ,which ,time's rude hand can ne'er efface1 ,the sweets we cull from friendship's bowers1 ,the gems affection's altar grace4 ,remember me6 ,in youth's bright morn ,those simple words so lightly spoken1 ,far into future years may reach1 ,and wake a spell which ne'er is broken4 ,a star to gleam in ,memory's sky1 ,a line on ,memory's page to glow1 ,a smile to offer at her shrine1 ,or tears which from her springs shall flow4 ,remember me6 ,as one by one ,the cherished ties of earth are torn1 ,the magic spell which ,memory weaves1 ,shall long in kindred hearts be worn4 ,and when the last farewell is said1 ,a solace to each heart shall be ,the memory of that love which spoke ,in parting tones1 ,remember me6 ,,honor ,,thy ,,parents4 ,,conversation ,i4 ,honor thy father and thy mother4 ,well1 ,clara1 said ,mary1 as they left the church1 shall we go now and take a walk before we go home8 ,look1 there are ,william ,johnson and ,george ,field waiting to see which way we shall turn1 in order to accompany us4 ,not this afternoon1 answered ,clara1 ,i think we had better go home4 ,they continued their way homeward until they reached the street where ,clara lived1 and were about to part1 when ,mary asked her companion at what time she would meet her the next morning to take a long walk1 adding that ,william and ,george would go with them4 ,i will ask mother1 replied ,clara1 and if she is willing1 ,i will meet you at six o'clock4 ,how is this1 said ,mary1 you never used to say you would ask your mother2 besides1 there can be no possible objection to our going to take a walk4 ,true1 rejoined ,clara1 there can be no objection to our taking a walk2 but we have never told our mothers that ,william and ,george are in the habit of going with us4 ,well1 ,i don't see any great harm in their going with us1 continued ,mary1 with a tone which indicated that she did not see any harm whatever in it4 ,perhaps there is not1 and yet1 ,mary1 ,i have thought that there might be2 therefore1 ,i prefer to speak to my mother about it4 ,and pray1 ,miss ,clara1 what has made you so conscientious all at once8 ,i will tell you1 ,mary4 ,you recollect that on the last ,sabbath1 our pastor took for his text1 the fifth commandment4 ,yes1 ,i do4 ,well1 something which he said1 caused me to think more about these words than ,i ever did before2 and the more ,i think of them1 the more convinced ,i am1 that we do not consider and reflect upon them so much as we ought to4 ,let me see1 said ,mary1 ,honor thy father and thy mother2--,well1 ,i am sure ,i do honor my father and my mother2 ,i obey them when they give me a command1 and ,i love them with all my heart4 ,what more can ,i do8 ,so ,i reasoned before1 but when ,i sat down alone in my chamber1 a good many things came to my mind1 to convince me that ,i was wrong4 ,well1 added ,mary1 let me have the benefit of your reflections4 ,why1 in this very instance of going to walk1 ,i had always asked my mother's consent1 and she had given it2 but ,i never told her where we went1 or who went with us1 which now appears to me wrong4 ,our mothers are much older than we are1 and have had much more experience than we have1 and there may be wrong in doing what appears to us quite harmless4 ,for the life of me1 interrupted ,mary1 ,i cannot think there can possibly be any harm in such a slight occurrence4 ,however1 say nothing to your mother to-night2 but go with us to-morrow morning1 and then you can mention it to her1 and see what she says4 ,i beg your pardon1 ,mary2 but you said just now1 you could not see what possible harm there could be in so slight an occurrence1 and yet your request to put off mentioning this to my mother1 shows that you have some misgivings on the subject4 ,mary reflected for a moment4 ,clara1 said she1 if you have no objection1 ,i will go home with you1 and hear what your mother will say4 ,i shall be delighted to have you1 was the answer4 ,mary ,winthrop and ,clara ,spaulding had arrived at the ages of fourteen and fifteen years1 a time of life which is peculiarly critical for girls4 ,at no age do they more require the advice of a mother1 and at no age are they less inclined to seek it4 ,this would seem to be a natural disinclination1 so prevalent is it4 ,these were both good girls1 but1 as may be judged from the conversation we have just related1 ,clara was the more thoughtful1 while ,mary was very apt to act without much reflection4 ,she possessed1 however1 this noble trait2 she was always ready to acknowledge her error1 when it was pointed out to her1 and would endeavor to avoid repeating it4 ,mrs4 ,spaulding had reached home when the girls entered4 ,she was a woman of excellent sense1 and a mother indeed to her children4 ,mary frankly told her all the conversation which had passed between ,clara and herself1 and then waited for her opinion4 ,it makes me truly happy1 said ,mrs4 ,s41 that you have come to me in this free and open manner2 and ,i am very glad that my dear ,clara has reflected so much upon the text4 ,in itself1 there is not much harm in taking a walk with ,william ,johnson and ,george ,field1 and yet it is not proper for you to do so1 without the knowledge and consent of your parents4 ,william and ,george are not bad boys1 and perhaps would be called by people generally1 good ones2 still1 ,i have remarked a certain levity in their manner1 which if only occasional1 might be called good humor1 but which1 recurring as it does at all times and on all occasions1 the ,sabbath not excepted1 makes me fear that their training at home is not what ,i should desire to have it4 ,for this reason1 ,mary1 ,i am not willing that ,clara should be often in their company1 nor do ,i think your mother would differ from me1 should you ask her4 ,i wonder1 said ,mary1 how ,clara came to think of this slight circumstance of a walk1 in connection with the commandment1 ',honor thy father and thy mother4' ,i thought she had sufficiently explained that1 herself1 replied ,mrs4 ,spaulding4 ,i wish both of you1 and not only you1 but all young persons1 would think a good deal more on this subject4 ,i remember when ,i was of your age1 that many things occurred which ,i omitted to mention to my mother1 but which it would have been much better for me1 if ,i had told her4 ,sometimes these concerned my bodily health1 and ,i am sure that if ,i had informed her of them at the time1 ,i should now have a much better constitution than ,i possess4 ,at other times1 ,i neglected to ask her advice about what ,i thought were small matters2 but the result proved that ,i should have been saved much trouble had ,i consulted her4 ,in fact1 continued ,mrs4 ,s41 the command to honor thy father and thy mother1 is far more comprehensive1 and exacts many more duties1 than the young1 and1 ,i am sorry to say1 the old too1 are willing to recognize4 ,the young are too apt to think1 when they get into their teens1 that there are a great many things about which there is no need of asking their parents' advice and counsel2 that they know1 then1 about as well as their parents what they ought to do2 and1 by the time they get to be eighteen or nineteen years of age1 a good deal better4 ,but1 my dear children1 it is not so4 ,and the young who reason and act thus1 will soon cease to honor their father and mother4 ,no6 ,the ,almighty ,father1 in giving this as one of the ten commandments to the children of ,israel1 knew the vanity of our nature4 ,he knew how unwilling the young are to learn from the experience of the old1 and he therefore proclaimed this command1 that they might have it constantly before their eyes4 ,i have said1 this is a comprehensive command4 ,to honor thy father and thy mother is not merely to show them outward respect4 ,it embraces numberless duties1 and among them this2 the duty1 while you are young1 of doing nothing without their knowledge and consent1 when you are in a situation to ask it4 ,be assured of one thing4 ,if you are about to go anywhere1 or do anything1 and a doubt arises in your mind whether it is necessary to ask your mother's permission1 be certain that you ought to ask it4 ,the very doubt in your own mind is sufficient evidence of the fact4 ,get into the habit of talking with your mother upon every subject2 your diversions1 your studies1 your health4 ,never conceal anything from her4 ,is she not your mother8 ,did she not give you being8 ,who then shall you look up to1 if not to her8 ,o1 interrupted ,mary1 ,i have sometimes begun to talk to my mother about many things which ,i did not exactly understand1 but somehow or other she was not willing to answer my questions4 ,perhaps1 said ,mrs4 ,spaulding1 you did not take a proper occasion1 or she may have been very busy about something else4 ,you ought always to endeavor to take a proper time for everything4 ,at the same time1 she continued1 ,i am sorry to say that there are some mothers who think children cannot be talked to1 and reasoned with1 till they are of age4 ,this is a mistaken idea4 ,children have reasoning faculties1 and the sooner we begin to converse with them accordingly1 the sooner will those faculties be developed4 ,with this view1 we ought always to encourage them to give us their confidence on all occasions1 gratify their curiosity1 and allow them to talk upon every subject to us4 ,if we do not act thus1 they will soon abstain from that frank manner with which children ought always to lay open their whole hearts to their parents4 ,o yes1 cried ,mary2 there is ,emma ,woodbury1--,i do not believe she ever asks her mother's advice4 ,no1 said ,clara1 and there is ,jane ,clifton's mother1-- ,stop1 my dears1 interrupted ,mrs4 ,spaulding1 these remarks of yours remind me that there is another subject1 about which ,i should like to have a conversation with you2 and if your mother1 ,mary1 will give you permission to come home with ,clara1 after school to-morrow afternoon1 ,i will tell you what it is4 ,o yes1 ,i know she will1 replied ,mary4 ,indeed1 yesterday1 ,i should not have thought of asking her2 but now1 after what ,i have heard from your lips1 ,i shall not do anything1 or go anywhere1 without asking her consent4 ,i am glad1 responded ,mrs4 ,spaulding1 that you remember this lesson so well4 ,now1 ,mary1 you had better go home2 and may neither of you ever think otherwise than seriously1 of the divine command1 to 'honor thy father and thy mother2' and remember that few persons have ever come to harm when they grew up1 who in their youth obeyed it4 ,,uncharitable ,,judgment4 ,,conversation ,,ii4 ,cast out the beam from thine own eye1 then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye4 ,mary's mother cheerfully gave her leave to go home with ,clara1 the next day4 ,she knew and highly esteemed ,mrs4 ,spaulding1 and was very glad that her daughter should be intimate with her family4 ,mrs4 ,spaulding greeted the girls with a smile and a kind word2 then said1 ,mary1 you began last evening to make a remark about ,emma ,woodbury4 ,will you tell me what you were going to say8 ,certainly1 replied ,mary2 ,i was going to say that ,emma scarcely ever asked the advice of her mother1 or her consent to do anything or go anywhere2 and ,i know a great many girls who act in the same way4 ,and ,i1 added ,clara1 intended to say that ,jane ,clifton's mother was one of those whom you spoke of1 as never conversing with children in a rational and reasoning manner4 ,i guessed as much1 said ,mrs4 ,spaulding4 ,i told you1 she continued1 there was another point upon which ,i wished to say a few words to you4 ,can you think what it is8 ,i cannot1 said ,mary4 ,nor ,i either1 said ,clara2 certainly1 ,i see no harm in the words we uttered4 ,true1 responded ,mrs4 ,spaulding1 there was no harm4 ,it was not the words you spoke1 but the tone in which they were spoken1 that attracted my attention2 as if you were glad to be able to point out somebody to whom the reproof could be applied4 ,this failing is a common one1 and our ,savior may have had it in view1 when he said to his followers1 on the mount1 ',cast out the beam from thine own eye2 and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye4' ,my object now1 my dear children1 is to caution you against a failing1 which is almost universal1 namely1 of seeing distinctly and reproving faults in others1 while we appear to be quite unconscious that we ourselves are in the practice of the same or worse defects4 ,this blemish develops itself in a variety of ways4 ,the pastor preaches an excellent sermon1 wherein is contained some allusion to faults which ought to be corrected4 ,if the people had treasured up in their hearts all his exhortations1 they would not have forgotten one which he has often endeavored to impress upon their minds2 ,i mean1 the duty of self-communion1 self-examination2 and when he should have occasion to allude to faults1 they would1 one and all1 ask themselves1 ',am ,i guilty of this wrong8 ,let me see2 and if ,i am1 let me correct it in future4' ,instead of this1 how frequently do we hear such expressions as these3 ',the remarks in the sermon this morning applied to ,mr4 ,a or ,mrs4 ,b1 very well1 and it is to be hoped they will see it1 and profit by it4' ,now if such individuals1 instead of trying to find others who are guilty of the wrong indicated1 would only carefully look within themselves1 ten chances to one they would find that they deserved the rebuke as much as any one else4 ,children insensibly contract the same bad habit of looking very sharply for the faults of others1 never once thinking that they may have some1 which1 if not precisely the same1 may be even worse4 ,thus if the pastor1 superintendent1 or one of the teachers1 addresses the ,sabbath school1 calling the attention of the scholars generally to any fault1 each scholar ought to ask himself at once1 ',is it ,i8' and not look round complacently and ask1 ',who can it be8' or say1 ',i guess the speaker means to refer to ,lilly ,a or ,edgar ,b4' ,well1 said ,mary1 ,i must confess that ,i have done this often1 and without being conscious of any wrong feelings2 some how or other1 ,i did not consider that the reproof belonged to me2 or ever ask myself if ,i had committed the fault which was exposed4 ,for this reason1 ,i remarked1 continued ,mrs4 ,s41 that children insensibly contract this habit from their parents2 and the defect extends to physical as well as moral errors4 ,not long since1 ,i had an interesting conversation with ,mr4 ,r41 a well-known philanthropist and physiologist1 who is devoting his life to the alleviation of some of the ills of human existence4 ,he told me that1 a short time before1 he delivered a lecture to parents on the physical training of their children1 and pointed out the great mistakes which are often made4 ,on retiring1 said he1 ,i overheard many remarks1 but not one spoke as if ,i had addressed him4 ,every one could point to some one else who might well profit by the lecture2 but not one would believe that ,i meant to say to each individual present1 as ,nathan said unto ,david1 ',thou art the man4' ,i am sure1 observed ,clara1 ,i never felt the full force of this saying of our ,savior before1 although ,i have read it a hundred times4 ,i shall read the whole chapter again1 carefully1 to-night4 ,and so will ,i1 added ,mary4 ,do so1 my children1 said ,mrs4 ,s41 and read in the same careful spirit the whole ,sermon on the ,mount1 and all our ,savior's teachings4 ,many people1 old and young1 read the ,new ,testament because they are told to1 without thinking that there is an active1 living principle in it1 a thought to be treasured up and carried out in our daily lives1 in almost every word the ,master uttered4 ,those who do read it in the true spirit1 find new pleasure and new instruction every time they peruse it4 ,and finally1 to come back to our subject1 when you hear your schoolmates making uncharitable remarks about others1 use all your influence1 especially by your own example1 to make them correct the habit4 ,and when you hear a sermon in church1 or an address in the school1 where any faults are exposed1 ask yourselves if the rebuke applies to you2 and if it does1 set about correcting the fault immediately4 ,do this always4 ',cast the beam out of thine own eye1' correct your own errors1 then will you see clearly to 'cast the mote out of thy brother's eye4' ,mary returned home that evening well pleased with the two conversations she had taken part in2 and better still1 she and ,clara profited by them4 ,i am happy to add1 that their schoolmates are gradually correcting many evil habits by the good example of these two girls2 and thus ,mary and ,clara have the double satisfaction of improving their own conduct1 and of being instrumental in improving that of others4 ,,boys ,,become ,,men4 ,if you were to be boys always1 and didn't need to know anything more than just enough to enable you to enjoy your sports from day to day1 it would not be so necessary1 perhaps1 as it now is1 to attend strictly to your every-day studies2 though the influences of the ,sunday school would be necessary1 even then4 ,boys cannot enjoy their sports together1 unless they are truthful1 just1 and kind2 and it is in the ,sunday school that these graces are most successfully acquired4 ,but boys will become men2 and all the knowledge they can acquire in boyhood will become serviceable in manhood4 ,therefore1 boys should be diligent4 ,,to ,,the ,,portrait ,,of ,,father ,,ballou1 ,,hanging ,,in ,,murray ,,hall4 ,o1 much-loved features6 ,faithful counterpart ,of one we love1 and cherish1 and revere2 ,thy gentle influence shed o'er every heart1 ,and be thy spirit ever present here4 ,look from thy quiet resting-place on us1 ,with that familiar smile so dear to all1 ,which ever seems to speak of happiness1 ,and every mourner would to hope recall4 ,thro' childhood's sunny days and youth's bright morn1 ,mid changes and mid sorrows1 thou hast been ,a light to guide1 a hope to cheer and warm1 ,and to the heart bring joy and peace again4 ,and for thine honored form how fit the place1 ,where childhood's ear instruction would receive2 ,preside o'er all1 lend all our efforts grace1 ,to learn ,god's love1 and on his word believe4 ,thy ,master's faithful servant6 ,who1 in love1 ,took little children in his arms to bless2 ,while looking down from his bright home above1 ,through thee diffusing peace and holiness2 ,may his pure spirit ever with us dwell1 ,shedding o'er all our thoughts its heavenly ray2 ,our hearts attune the song of praise to swell1 ,and o'er our darkness pour eternal day4 ,and when thou'rt left alone1 to bear the name ,of him whose faithful emblem thou art made1 ,may thou through ages still endure the same1 ,though all around thee shall decay and fade4 ,may his dear memory1 which through thee shall live ,long in the places which his love has blest1 ,shine as a beacon1 life and light to give1 ,and hope at last in ,god's eternal rest4 ,,susan',s ,,repentance ,,and ,,appeal ,,to ,,her ,,elder ,,sister4 ,i once knew two sisters1 the only companions of a widowed mother1 who1 though they had no relatives and but very few friends1 and should therefore have been the more closely united in heart1 were in the habit oftener of harshly rebuking and blaming1 than of encouraging1 assisting1 and comforting each other4 ,i often wondered at this1 as they both had many estimable traits of character1 and could only account for it1 not excuse it1 by the fact1 that they had been much separated in early life1 and1 since their reunion1 had had to encounter many obstacles1 and bear the weight of many heavy disappointments4 ,i confidently hoped and believed that the good sense of one or both of them1 would in time lead them to see their error1 and the sin of thus fretting and irritating each other4 ,nor was ,i disappointed4 ,the younger1 whose conscience was the most sensitive1 first made the discovery1 and immediately began trying to remedy the evil1 and to induce her sister to aid her in the endeavor4 ,imagining some of her thoughts and feelings1 ,i have put them in rhyme4 ,we have done wrong1 dear sister2 and ,i'm very sad to-day3 ,for ,i have felt how far we've strayed from wisdom's blessed way2 ,have felt how much of angry strife hath dwelt within our hearts1 ,and how1 when that has entered in1 ,life's happiness departs4 ,we have done wrong1 dear sister2 for we have not patient been1 ,but answered often hasty words by hasty words again2 ,and when we should with gentle acts have soothed each other's care1 ,we've made by cold indifference our lot more hard to bear4 ,we have done wrong1 dear sister2 ,i remember how we've grieved ,our widowed mother's anxious heart1 so long of joy bereaved2 ,o1 were we loving1 good1 and kind1 and all our murmurings o'er1 ,might not the smiles come back again and light her face once more8 ,i know our lot in life1 thus far1 hath not been smooth and fair2 ,that often much of toil and ill has fallen to our share2 ,but why1 dear sister1 why should we ourselves the load increase8 ,why1 by our jangling and our strife1 shut out all joy and peace8 ,and more3 we have offended ,god2 this day ,i feel and know ,we have forgotten his commands1 and gained us nought but woe4 ,o join with me as1 filled with grief1 most earnestly ,i pray1 ,that he will yet be merciful1 and take our sin away4 ,love thou each other2 love all men2 and love shall make you free2 ,thus said the ,savior1 ,jesus2 and let this our watchword be2 ,let us each other love2 and pray that gentle thoughts may come1 ,and gentle words and acts may make an ,eden of our home4 ,forgive me now1 dear sister1 all the anger ,i have shown1 ,and all my past unkindness1 through the years already flown2 ,i'll love thee faithfully and true1 and lay all harshness by2 ,to be my loving sister1 then1 wilt thou not also try8 ,,little ,,emma4 ,one ,saturday afternoon1 little ,emma came into her mother's room1 and said to her1 ,mother1 may ,i go with ,abba to her ,sunday school8 ,she says1 they are all so happy there4 ,my child1 said her mother1 why do you wish to leave your own school and go to a strange one8 ,because1 mother1 ,abba has often told me what a good school they have1 and how much she loves it4 ,well1 as you are very anxious to go1 ,i will grant your request this once1 on condition that it must never be repeated4 ,the next morning1 this pleasant little girl was up very early to make ready to go with her friend to the new ,sabbath school4 ,she was delighted with all she saw and heard2 and when the pastor took her by the hand1 she said to herself1 ,i wish mother would permit me to come here every ,sunday4 ,i will ask her1 at any rate4 ,after the school was dismissed1 she went home1 revolving in her mind what she should say to obtain her mother's consent4 ,her mother observed how thoughtful she appeared1 and said to her1 ,emma1 how did you like ,abba's ,sunday school8 ,oh1 mother6 ,i was so happy2 do let me go there4 ,they sing so sweetly1 and the pastor was so kind4 ,he had an affectionate word for all4 ,their superintendent1 too1 was so pleasant1 ,i know ,i should love him4 ,her mother said to her1 with a very sorrowful countenance1 ,do you know1 my child1 that they teach very erroneous doctrines there1 in regard to a future life8 ,they teach that all will be eventually holy and happy1 both the good and the bad4 ,but1 mother1 ,i should think it would make us all happy to believe so4 ,the minister told us that ',god is ,love2' and that cannot be a bad doctrine4 ,i am sure ,i would much rather think so1 than that he would hate any of us1 for you have often told me that hatred was very wicked4 ,i cannot think that a good and wise being would do that which you have taught me is wrong4 ,then they all seem to love each other dearly4 ,they are like a pleasant family of brothers and sisters4 ,do let me go1 will you not1 dear mother8 ,i should be so happy4 ,her mother said many things to convince her that it was not right to change her school4 ,but she was very unhappy1 and said so often1 ,do let me go1 that her mother consented to gratify her2 thinking1 perhaps1 that she would soon tire of it4 ,sunday came1 and ,emma was nearly the first one there2 so anxious was she to be in season4 ,she entered the schoolroom with a bright and happy face1 and when the superintendent came to her1 she said1 ,i have come to join your ,sabbath school4 ,will you receive me8 ,to add to her joy1 the superintendent gave her a seat in the same class with her friend ,abba1 who was a very kind and good little girl2 and she found a number of others in the class who were very glad to see her there4 ,one little girl lent her a book to study1 and when the teacher gave her a lesson for the next ,sabbath1 she said1 ,i have a lesson now4 ,fanny lent me her book1 and ,i have already learned a lesson from it4 ,this pleased her teacher very much2 for she thought that there were many little girls who would have been very glad of such an excuse to put off their lessons4 ,ever after1 she was very constant in her attendance1 always had her lessons very perfect1 and never stayed at home1 even if it chanced to be a rainy clay2 for she would say1 ,my teacher will be there2 and ,i am sure if she is there1 ,i can go4 ,besides1 ,i know it will make her very happy to see me always in my place4 ,in this way did this good little ,emma continue to go on1 acquiring knowledge1 and gaining the love and good-will of all who knew her4 ,she was always happy and cheerful2 kind to her parents1 obliging to her brothers and sisters1 ever ready to assist the poor and destitute1 having a kind word and a happy smile for all4 ,and this she learned from that one great and ennobling truth1 that ,god is ,love4 ,,the ,,old ,,sabbath ,,schoolroom4 ,a ,,parody4 ,how dear to our hearts is that old ,sabbath schoolroom1 ,which each ,sunday morning presents to our view2 ,the seats1 the piano1 the portrait that's near it1 ,and ev'ry loved thing which our memory knew4 ,our dearly-loved pastor1 his wife who comes with him1 ,our ,superintendent1 and dear ,mrs4 ,g41 ,the teachers1 the pupils1 and faithful ,librarians1 ,we each ,sabbath morning invariably see4 ,that old ,sabbath schoolroom1 that dearly-loved schoolroom1 ,that blessed old schoolroom where all love to be4 ,that old ,sabbath schoolroom we hail as a treasure2 ,for often1 when weary and anxious with care1 ,we've found it the place of a heavenly pleasure ,we seek for with ardor1 but find not elsewhere4 ,how eager we enter1 with hearts that are glowing1 ,and quick to our places1--we all know them well1-- ,and then with our song-books1 and souls overflowing1 ,the anthem of praise we unitedly swell1 ,that old ,sabbath schoolroom1 that dearly-loved schoolroom1 ,that blessed old schoolroom where all love to be4 ,blest truth1--from our teachers with joy we receive it1-- ,that ,god is our ,father1 our ,savior and ,friend6 ,there's nought so alluring could tempt us to leave it1 ,though fraught with all pleasures the fancy can lend4 ,and when far removed to some distant location1 ,the tears of regret will intrusively swell1 ,as mem'ry reverts to our former vocation1 ,and longs for the schoolroom we all loved so well4 ,that old ,sabbath schoolroom1 that dearly-loved schoolroom1 ,that blessed old schoolroom we all love so well4 ,,the ,,hunter1 ,,and ,,his ,,dog ,,jowler4 ,a ,,fable4 ,a famous hunter in the woodland country had a dog which was particularly fond of certain kinds of game1 but exceedingly averse to other kinds of much better flavor4 ,now it happened that1 whenever the hunter wished to give chase to moose or deer1 ,jowler was sure to scare up a woodchuck1 or some still filthier game1 leaving the deer to make good his escape4 ,day after day thus passed away1 leaving the hunter's labors no suitable reward4 ,it was in vain that the hunter expostulated with his dog4 ,neither threats nor blows were of any avail4 ,when the master would hunt one thing1 the dog was sure to be hunting something else4 ,at length1 both master and dog seemed to tire of their constant conflict1 and to desire some adjustment1 whereby each might accommodate his own taste to some extent1 and yet live in harmony with the other4 ,with this view1 a friendly conference was held1 in which ,jowler appeared so tenacious1 that the hunter well-nigh despaired of any adjustment whatever4 ,it was1 however1 finally agreed1 that ,jowler should hunt game to his own taste five days in the week1 and devote the remaining hunting day to such game as his master preferred4 ,jowler1 however1 was careful to stipulate that1 if he chanced to find himself ill1 or not in hunting trim1 on the sixth day1 he should be considerately dealt by1 and not forced to go beyond his strength4 ,the arrangements being fully made1 a paper was drawn up containing the articles of agreement1 and both ,jowler and the hunter affixed their names thereto4 ,jowler1 no doubt1 congratulated himself on having it all to his liking five days out of six2 while the hunter1 perhaps1 flattered himself that the taste of venison one day in the week1 would so improve the standard of ,jowler's tastes1 as to bend him1 at length1 altogether to his own wishes4 ,for a while1 things seemed to promise well1 under the new arrangement4 ,by and by1 when the day for hunting venison came round1 ,jowler was sick1 and told his master he couldn't hunt that day4 ,so his master very considerately excused him1 according to the terms of their agreement4 ,it was not long1 however1 before ,jowler refused to hunt for another reason4 ,he said1 he had followed his own game with such constancy and alacrity for the five days1 that he was too much exhausted to hunt venison on the sixth day4 ,he must rest from any farther fatigue2 and claimed the continued indulgence of his master1 by virtue of their contract4 ,the hunter urged in vain that ,jowler had virtually violated the contract2 for although it was stipulated that he should not be compelled to the chase to his personal detriment1 yet it was implied1 of course1 that he should use the same precaution to be in hunting trim on the sixth day1 as he did to be so on the other five4 ,while the fact was1 he purposely deprived himself of rest during the five days1 that he might be compelled to employ the sixth as a day of rest1 thus virtually appropriating the whole time to his own service4 ,jowler1 however1 pretended not to be convinced of his wrong4 ,nor did his dishonesty stop here4 ,his master soon discovered that1 while he was pretending to be unable from his excessive fatigue to hunt venison1 he was really continuing to hunt his own game1 as on the other five days4 ,thus did he go on1 his old loves gaining strength day by day1 and impelling him to a total disregard of his contract in order to indulge them1 until his master would bear with him no longer1 but drove him from his door4 ,having deprived himself of the care of so good a master1 he soon fell into still greater irregularities2 and a neighboring shepherd1 suspecting him of committing depredations upon his flock1 killed him1 thus terminating his vicious career4 ,moral4--,excessive engagedness in worldly labors six days in the week1 is no sufficient excuse for the neglect of public worship on the seventh2 and a vicious love1 continually indulged1 is quite sure to root out even our good resolutions4 ,,take ,,care ,,of ,,your ,,books4 ,suppose you loan a book to a friend1 would you not consider it his imperative duty to take the best of care of it1 as though it were his own1 and return it in as good condition as it was when taken8 ,certainly you would4 ,then the same duty devolves upon you1 as a member of the ,sunday school4 ,the school lends you books1 and expects you to take good care of them1 and return them early4 ,this is no trifling duty4 ,if you have a right to be negligent1 every other scholar must have the same right1 and the ,library would be speedily ruined4 ,thus your negligence greatly wrongs others4 ,therefore1 children1 take care of your books4 ,,my ,,niece4 ,i know a darling little girl1 ,with silky1 chestnut hair1 ,which falls in many a dancing curl1 ,around her shoulders fair4 ,her eyes are very dark and soft1 ,and round their curtained bed1 ,i've seen the fairy smiles full oft ,their radiant beauty shed4 ,her very tears are like the rain ,which falls in summer's hour2 ,quick turned to glittering gems again1 ,as sun succeeds to shower4 ,this witching child is very small2 ,her feeble1 tiny hands1 ,can scarcely tend the mammoth doll1 ,which so much care demands4 ,then1 though her voice is very sweet1 ,she does but little more ,than simple childish songs repeat1 ,and prattle baby lore4 ,she cannot skip1 for ah6 she's lame2 ,one soft1 white foot denies ,its aid1 her body to sustain1 ,and weak and powerless lies4 ,yet1 strange to say1 a crown she wears1 ,which claims our homage mute2 ,and in her hand a sceptre bears1 ,whose sway we ne'er dispute4 ,from whence doth come the wondrous power ,she never fails to wield-- ,making strong hearts and wills1 each hour1 ,to her light wishes yield8 ,if but a touch of grief appear ,to veil that bright1 pure face2 ,if sickness cast its shadows there1 ,or pain its dark lines trace2 ,how anxious every means we take1 ,the ill to drive away6 ,and cheerfully1 for her dear sake1 ,would watch both night and day4 ,and when the light of coming health ,brightens that clear1 dark eye1 ,what joy is ours6 priceless wealth1 ,earth's gold can never buy4 ,she makes us cast aside our book1 ,though filled with learning rare2 ,to work is vain1 when fun's arch look ,those beaming features wear4 ,whence is this spell8 ,i can but think ,that1 in sweet childhood's hour1 ,e'er yet the soul has learned to drink ,from knowledge' fount of power2 ,or felt what virtue is1 or known ,life's sins1 not yet begun2 ,or seen how thick life's path is strown ,with dangers it must shun2 ,a spirit pure doth come1 to dwell ,in these fresh-bursting minds1 ,who weaves round them the powerful spell ,our hearts so firmly binds2 ,our holier thoughts through them to wake2 ,our earth-dimmed vision clear2 ,and through their purity1 to make ,all holy things more dear4 ,if so1 where speeds that spirit1 when ,the soul has gathered strength-- ,the child1 become with busy men1 ,a busy man at length8 ,where has our childhood's spirit gone8 ,how have we lost the charm1 ,thus thrown around life's early morn1 ,keeping us safe from harm8 ,ay6 whither speeds it8 ,rather say ,is it not always by1 ,though1 through the dust of life's noonday1 ,we may not see it nigh2 ,nor when dark clouds of sin would veil ,all glory from our sight2 ,and make both heart and hope to fail1 ,and brightness turn to night8 ,but when1 midst virtue's clearer air1 ,the eye no hindrance knows1 ,how radiant stands the angel there6 ,what holy gifts bestows6 ,my darling niece1 whose form of grace ,has made these thoughts arise1 ,i'm sure this angel oft ,i trace ,in those clear depths--thine eyes4 ,and bursting forth from my full heart1 ,my prayers to heaven ascend1 ,that earth's dark changes ne'er may part ,thee and thy angel friend4 ,that purity may always be ,the medium1 clear and bright1 ,through which may ever shine on thee ,heaven's own unclouded light4 ,,teachers' ,,library4 ,the ,teachers' ,library connected with the ,school street ,universalist ,sunday school1 was commenced in #ahda1 when #fg volumes were collected for that purpose4--,great care has been taken in selecting volumes for this library4 ,at this time1 #ahej1 it numbers #aid valuable books4 ,,scholars' ,,library4 ,the foundation of the ,scholars' ,library1 connected with the ,school street ,universalist ,sunday school1 was laid in the year #ahce4 ,the number of volumes1 in #ahdj1 amounted to #djj1 of which #ajj needed repairing4 ,some #ej volumes were added during #ahda4 ,additions continued to be made from year to year1 till the spring of #ahej1 when the number was increased to #gjj volumes4 ,,agatha4 ,little ,agatha was a ,sabbath school scholar4 ,she lived in a rural district of ,scotland4 ,her father's dwelling was surrounded by trees and flowers1 and near by a little sparkling rivulet wandered onward1 now murmuring along by its rocky bed and dancing over bright pebbles1 and now wending its way silently through the valley1 journeying onward to mingle with kindred waters4 ,agatha loved to roam through these shady glens1 and often would she stand upon the margin of the little stream1 and1 gazing down1 fancy that she saw a beautiful little angel in the pure waters4 ,she sometimes waited a long time1 hoping it might speak to her1 little dreaming that her sweet angel was but the reflection of her own innocent face and golden ringlets from the mirrored surface4 ,she loved the little brook1 and walked among the wild flowers upon its banks1 herself as pure and innocent as ,spring's earliest blossoms4 ,she was never lonely in her rural bowers2 for the brook1 the birds1 and the flowers1 ever spoke to her heart in tones of love4 ,but one day her teacher told her that wicked spirits were ever flying about1 trying to lead away little children into their company1 and make them as wicked as themselves4 ,this much disquieted ,agatha1 for she had never learned before that aught existed save innocence and joy4 ,at first1 she feared to wander out alone1 into the great temple of nature1 as she was wont1 lest she should meet some of those malicious beings4 ,she dared not look into the pure waters1 fearing that1 instead of the beautiful angel which so often met her gaze1 hideous forms might rise and drag her away into their bad company4 ,but her heart was soon quieted again2 for her teacher also told her1 that good beings come down from the ,spirit-land1 to watch over little children1 and drive the wicked ones away4 ,so ,agatha no longer feared to visit her favorite haunts1 for she besought the good spirits to be her guardians4 ,and when at night she retired to her little couch1 she prayed the kind angels to watch over and protect her from evil spirits4 ,and her prayer was answered1 for none but good spirits ever visited the heart of ,agatha4 ,she was always punctual at ,sabbath school2 and one day after looking around in vain for one of her mates1 she was very much troubled to learn that she had been led a long way off1 by a company of evil spirits4 ,she longed to tear the unfortunate victim from their grasp2 but her teacher told her1 that the celestial beings alone could save her1 and she must pray to them4 ,so ,agatha went home1 and walked out among the flowers1 thinking the celestial spirits would delight to linger in so pure a spot1 and kneeling amid a cluster of roses1 she prayed them to fly to the rescue of her misled companion4 ,and everywhere that ,agatha thought pure enough for the abode of the good spirits1 would she go and pray that her friend might be restored4 ,at night she would look up to the stars1 and entreat the same good beings to come down from their pure1 bright dwellings1 and lead back the straying one4 ,her prayers were soon answered1 and when she next went to ,sabbath school1 she was almost overjoyed to find her little friend at her accustomed place4 ,little ,mary 7for she it was who had been led away7 seemed very happy to get back again4 ,she kissed her schoolmates1 and said she would never leave them more4 ,but she told them a sad tale of ,sin-land2 how the evil ones would not suffer her to sleep1 lest1 in her slumbers1 the good spirits might visit her and take her away2--that they would not let her walk among the flowers1 for good spirits are there4 ,and for a long time they watched her very closely1 and directed her steps in their pathway4 ,but1 at length1 when she become faint and weary1 the ministering angels came to her assistance1 took her in their arms1 and folding her weary limbs in their white robes1 bore her back to her anxious companions4 ,no one rejoiced more than did ,agatha1 that the heavenly messengers had led ,mary back4 ,their teacher said that her school was a little garden of flowers1 which she was rearing for heaven4 ,but ,agatha was the most innocent flower there1 and ready to bloom in the garden of paradise4 ,the kind heavenly guides thought her too pure for earth1 and they would fain have her companionship in their purer regions4 ,so they bore her away on wings of love to their heavenly home4 ,may every ,sabbath school scholar be1 like ,agatha1 led by celestial spirits4 ,,responsibility4 ,that teacher alone1 whose eye is open to the immense value of religious influences1 and who perceives the importance of trifles in morals1 can properly feel his great responsibility1 or be qualified to guide the young in the way of life4 ,,duty ,,of ,,parents4 ,parents should see that their children understand their lessons1 and that they commit them perfectly4 ,they will thus both aid and encourage the superintendent and teachers4 ,a ,,scholar',s ,,remembrance ,,of ,,the ,,pic-,,nic ,,of #ahej4 ,how bright1 my dear mother1 this sweet summer morning1 ,does everything round me appear2 ,the sun the tall steeples with gold is adorning1 ,and lights up the skies blue and clear4 ,all freshly around me the west wind is blowing2 ,and1 mother1 ,i smell the sweet hay ,which was left on the ,common from yesterday's mowing2 ,how ,i wish they'd not take it away4 ,i'm sure 'tis too pleasant of school to be thinking1 ,its tasks this bright day ,i should hate2 ,much better ,i'd like the fresh air to be drinking1 ,than puzzle o'er book and o'er slate4 ,o if it were ,pic-nic to-day1 my dear mother1 ,how happy and gay ,i should be6 ,how joyful without any studies to pother1 ,away in the woods to roam free4 ,i'm sorry 'tis over2 how great was my pleasure ,the whole of that beautiful day2 ,i jumped1 and ,i danced1 and ,i sung without measure1 ,but ah6 it so soon passed away4 ,how well ,i remember the time of our starting6 ,how quick the large cars we did fill6 ,how screamed the shrill whistle1 the signal for parting6 ,how we flew by town1 river1 and hill6 ,we reached the sweet grove which in stillness was waiting1 ,its numerous guests to receive2 ,we rested one moment1 while we were debating ,what wonder we first should achieve4 ,let us make some green wreaths6 let us gather wild flowers6 ,said some2 and they bounded away4 ,let us fill up with music and dancing the hours6 ,said others1 more lively and gay4 ,and soon every part of the wild wood was ringing ,with sounds full of mirth and of glee2 ,some dizzily high in the free air were swinging1 ,while others climbed up the tall tree4 ,when called from our sports1 to our dinner we hasted1 ,and sat on the green grassy ground2 ,how keenly we relished each morsel we tasted1 ,while fanned by the soft air around4 ,then came a loud summons1 the signal for choosing ,our ,queen by the mystical ring2 ,we crowned her with flowers2 nor feared her abusing ,the honors her station might bring4 ,we sang some sweet school-songs1 and then our loved pastor1 ,with other dear friends who were there1 ,told us kindly of ,jesus1 the ,savior and ,master2 ,of ,god1 and his fatherly care2 ,who planted the trees that were waving around us1 ,and the wild flowers growing below2 ,who all our life long with rich blessings had crowned us1 ,and watched us where'er we might go4 ,then1 mother1 ,i heard all around me a whisp'ring1 ,and soon ,i found out what it meant2 ,when to hallow our ,pic-nic1 the sweet rite of christ'ning ,its soft1 holy influence lent4 ,forth from the glad circle1 their sweet infants bringing1 ,came parents1 with mild1 thoughtful mien2 ,what deep1 tender thoughts in all bosoms were springing6 ,how solemn1 how sacred the scene4 ,and ,i could not keep back the hot tears1 my dear mother1 ,which came thick and fast to my eyes2 ,for those babes made me think of my own darling brother1 ,now gone to his home in the skies4 ,when this service was over1 my playmates came round ,and drew me away to the wood2 ,no longer light-hearted and merry they found me1 ,for thoughtful and sad was my mood4 ,so on the soft turf ,i sat silently thinking1 ,of days when dear brother was by2 ,while slowly and surely the bright sun was sinking1 ,far down in the clear western sky4 ,ring1 ring1 went the bell2 and then1 ,o1 what a hustling6 ,all knew 'twas the signal to part2 ,what searching for bonnets and boxes6 what bustling6 ,all hurrying1 eager to start4 ,we left ere the shadows of evening were dimming ,the broad fields and woods all around2 ,and with our swift steam-horse1 again we went skimming ,through village1 and meadow1 and town4 ,we soon reached the city1 and after the saying ,of cheerful ,good night1 to our friends1 ,we sought our own home without further delaying1 ,and the rest night to weariness sends4 ',twas a blest1 happy day2 and oft in my dreaming ,that cool1 shady grove do ,i see1 ,with its bright little spots where the sunlight lay gleaming1 ,and all that was pleasant to me4 ,and much do ,i hope1 when again1 my dear mother1 ,the summer shall come with its flowers1 ,our teachers will kindly allow us another ,such ,pic-nic1 mid ,nature's green bowers4 ,,rain ,,drops4 ,o mamma1 how fast it rains6 ,do see those bright and sparkling drops1 as they fall so rapidly on the green walks and beautiful flowers6 ,just see how revived that little fainting flower looks on the farther border4 ,it was but yesterday ,i thought it would die4 ,it drooped its head as if to avoid the rays of the scorching sun2 but now it is as fresh as any on my little bed4 ,who was so kind1 mamma1 as to send this gentle shower1 purposely1 as ,i should think1 to save my favorite flower8 ',favorite1' my child1 did you say8 ,i thought you loved them all4 ,oh1 ,i do2 but this one looked so sickly and faint1 and ,i have watched it so anxiously1 that it really seems dearer to me than all the rest2 just as when we are sick1 mamma1 you watch us the more constantly1 and love us the more tenderly4 ,but who did send the rain1 mamma8 ,it was ,god1 my child1 who caused the gentle showers1 not only to cheer your heart1 by making the little flower revive1 but to bless all his children4 ,have you forgotten your little verse1 about ,god sending 'rain on the just1 and on the unjust8' ,o no2 ,i remember it well4 ,i think he is very kind to remember everybody4 ,i am sure ,i shall always love him4 ,i hope you always will4 ,he is a lovable being4 ,he delights in those that are good1 and is always ready to cheer and bless them4 ,,obey ,,the ,,rules4 ,a careful regard to all the rules of a ,sabbath school1--the rules touching the library1 those concerning the time of entrance1 the general exercises1 the demeanor of the pupils and the recitations1--will greatly facilitate the business of the school1 relieve the officers and teachers of much of their labor1 and make the school itself beautiful for its order and harmony1 and invaluable for its usefulness and success4 ,,the ,,ways ,,of ,,providence4 ,god moves in a mysterious way1 ,his wonders to perform2 ,he plants his footsteps in the sea1 ,and rides upon the storm4 ,we may understand by ,providence the all-providing care of ,god over his creatures4 ,he is our staff4 ,without his aid and support1 we should sink2 all our efforts would be of no avail4 ,without his sustaining power1 we could not endure the cares and troubles attending this life4 ,he cares for us in the broad day1 urging us to resist temptation4 ,he watches us by night1 that no harm shall befall us4 ,mighty was the power of our ,savior at the marriage feast1 when he turned water into wine1 and many were the miracles he performed during his stay in this world1 in healing the sick1 the lame1 and the blind4 ,the ways of ,god appear mysterious to us1 because we cannot understand his motives4 ,we know that all he does is right1 and for our good2 therefore we should not indulge a murmuring spirit at anything that may happen to us4 ,it is our duty1 as we cannot understand ,his manifold ways1 and all-wise purposes1 to study deeply the ,holy ,scriptures1 and be willing to be taught by those wiser and better informed than ourselves4 ,we should confidently rely in ,god's wisdom and knowledge1 which are so much greater than ours2 yielding all things to him2 looking forward to that bright and happier world1 where there is no sorrow1 and striving to make ourselves worthy of his love1 which is unbounded4 ,philanthropy4--,he is the wisest philanthropist who employs his energies and resources in the promotion of virtue4 ,preparation ,for ,death4--,he who is prepared to live1 is prepared to die4 ,and he who thinks and feels aright1 is prepared for both4 ,,to ,,alberta4 ,and thou art gone1 ,alberta1 ,no sound shall wake thee now2 ,the dreamless sleep thou sleepest1 ,death's shadow on thy brow4 ,like a bright summer flower4 ,borne by rude winds away1 ,whose odors yet shall linger1 ,though the fair form decay1-- ,so1 long thy spirit1 wafted ,in fragrance back to earth1 ,shall bloom in memory's bowers1 ,mid plants of heavenly birth4 ,we tune our harps to sadness1 ,and songs of sorrow sing1 ,and to the ,father's altar1 ,a mournful tribute bring4 ,no more thou strowest flowers ,of sunshine o'er our path2 ,thy song forever silent1 ,thy voice is hushed in death4 ,yet not for thee we sorrow1 ,thy sorrows all are o'er2 ,thine earthly journey ended1 ,thou'st reached that happy shore1 ,where spirits blest are waiting1 ,to welcome thee above2 ,there evermore to lead thee ,in realms of peace and love4 ,and hand in hand with angels1 ,around ,god's throne to stand1 ,warbling sweet anthems ever1 ,amid that heavenly band4 ,farewell6 we would not wake thee1 ',t were vain to wish thee here2 ,a ,father's arms receive thee1 ,sleep on1 nor danger fear4 ,rise6 and in ,jesus' kingdom ,thy blissful station take2 ,a ,father's house is open1 ,to life immortal wake6 ,,obt4 ,alberta ,richardson1 aged #h years and #d mos42 a beloved member of the #bnd ,universalist ,sabbath school4 ,,the ,,discontented ,,squirrel4 ,a ,,fable4 ,in a wood1 pleasantly situated in the southern part of ----1 there lived a squirrel4 ,one day1 as it was viewing the departure of some migratory birds from its neighborhood1 it could not prevent the escape of a deep sigh1 accompanied with the exclamation1 ,o dear6 ,i wish some land fairy would make me a bird4 ,i could then soar to a great height1 or dart swiftly through the air4 ,even if ,i were a little fish1 to play about in the water1 ,i should be much better satisfied than in living here all my life1 and having nothing to do but gather nuts and acorns4 ,at that moment1 a fairy1 who was near1 having heard the soliloquy of the discontented squirrel1 immediately complied with its wish1 and changed it into a beautiful bird4 ,this amazed the poor squirrel very much1 and when it attempted to call the attention of its companions by its customary chatter1 its scream ended in a song4 ,the squirrel now thought its happiness was complete1 and it concluded to make use of its wings by a visit to some distant land4 ,it had not gone far before a storm arose1 and it was obliged to take shelter in a tree4 ,it now began to wish it was in its snug little nest with its former companions4 ,the storm was soon over1 and our bird again started on its journey4 ,but just then a hungry hawk1 who had watched it for a long time1 pounced upon it4 ,fortunately1 the fairy1 who was near1 seeing the bird was sufficiently punished for its folly1 took compassion on it1 changed it into a squirrel again1 and placed it safely in its own tree4 ,the squirrel was ever afterward contented4 ,moral4--,every one should be contented with his lot2 for every station in life has its own ills4 ,,school ,,street ,,society4 ,this ,society1 which has exerted an influence in the ,universalist denomination second to that of no other1 was incorporated ,december #ac1 #ahaf4 ,the meeting for organization was held at the ,green ,dragon tavern1 on the evening of ,january #be1 #ahag4 ,major ,john ,brazer was chosen the first ,moderator4 ,the ,standing ,committee consisted of ,john ,brazer1 ,dr4 ,david ,townsend1 ,edmund ,wright1 ,daniel ,e1 ,powars1 ,lemuel ,packard1 ,jr41 ,levi ,melcher1 and ,john ,w4 ,trull1 who were directed to ascertain where a suitable lot of land could be procured on which to erect a house of worship4 ,after examining several lots1 the one was selected on which the church now stands1 in ,school street1 and it was accordingly bought about the first of ,may following4 ,the original means for building the church1 was a subscription for shares of one hundred dollars each2 one hundred and thirty-nine shares being taken by forty-three persons4 ,of this number1 after a lapse of nearly a third of a century1 the following are still spared to us1 as willing supporters of the ,society and cause to which they devoted the meridian of their days1 to wit3 ,william ,barry1 ,daniel ,e4 ,powars1 ,winslow ,wright1 ,joseph ,badger1 ,caleb ,wright1 ,john ,w4 ,trull1 ,samuel ,hichborn1 and ,job ,turner4 ,on ,monday1 ,may #ai1 #ahag1 the corner-stone was laid1 and within it was deposited a silver plate1 the gift of ,dr4 ,david ,townsend1 with this inscription3 ,the ,second ,universal ,church1 devoted to the ,worship of the true ,god3 ,jesus ,christ being the chief ,corner ,stone4 ,may #ai1 #ahag4 ,the building of the house was carried forward with energy1 and on the #beth of ,august the ,chairman of the ,committee was directed to address a letter to ,rev4 ,hosea ,ballou1 asking him if it would meet his approbation to be considered a candidate for the office of pastor4 ,the house having been completed1 it was voted to dedicate the same on ,wednesday1 ,october #ae1 #ahag4 ,the ,rev4 ,thomas ,jones was invited to preach the sermon1 and ,revs4 ,edward ,turner1 ,hosea ,ballou1 and ,paul ,dean1 to conduct the other services as might be mutually agreeable to them4 ,in consequence1 however1 of the ,cattle ,show at ,brighton taking place on that day1 it was afterwards thought expedient to postpone the ,dedication until the succeeding day4 ,on the day following the ,dedication1 the ,society met for the purpose of selecting a pastor2 and the ,standing ,committee were instructed1 by a unanimous vote1 to invite the ,rev4 ,hosea ,ballou to that office1 at a weekly salary of twenty-five dollars4 ,this vote was communicated to him in an appropriate letter from the ,chairman of the ,committee1 to which the following reply was received3-- ,boston1 ,oct4 #bd1 #ahag4 ,sir1--,the call of the ,second ,universalist ,society in ,boston1 inviting me to the labors of the ,christian ,ministry with them1 together with the liberal terms which accompany said invitation1 has been duly considered4 ,and after weighing all the circumstances relative to the subject1 so far as my limited mind could comprehend them1 ,i have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to accept their call on the conditions therein stated4 ,i largely participate the peculiar pleasure afforded by the consideration of the unanimity of the ,society1 and entertain an humble hope that1 with the continuance of this harmony1 we may long continue to enjoy all spiritual blessings in ,christ ,jesus4 ,the ,society's most humble servant in ,christ1 ,hosea ,ballou4 ,to ,john ,brazer1 ,esq4 ,he was publicly installed on ,christmas day1 ,december #be1 #ahag4 ,sermon1 from ,john xx4 #bd1 and the ,fellowship of the ,churches1 were given by ,rev4 ,paul ,dean2 ,installing ,prayer and ,charge by ,rev4 ,edward ,turner1 and the ,concluding ,prayer by ,rev4 ,joshua ,flagg4 ,at the annual meeting in ,may1 #ahah1 the thanks of the ,society were presented to ,lemuel ,packard1 ,jr41 ,esq41 for his generous donation of a chandelier for the use of the church4 ,the clock now in the church was the gift of ,john ,brazer1 ,esq41 probably during the time of the building of the church4 ,in the summer of #ahbb1 ,mr4 ,ballou received an invitation to become the pastor of the ,second ,universalist ,society in ,philadelphia1 at a larger salary than he was then receiving4 ,in a letter to his ,society1 ,mr4 ,b4 states1 that they are under no engagement to him beyond the term of six months2 and that1 his salary being barely sufficient to support his family1 he felt bound to lay the invitation of the ,philadelphia ,society before them for their assistance1 in any decision he might make in regard to it4 ,the ,society was accordingly called together1 and by a unanimous vote his salary was raised to thirty dollars a week4 ,this vote being communicated to him1 he informed them in reply that the salary voted him was fully and abundantly satisfactory to him1 and that he accepted it with pleasure4 ,during the year #ahcf1 the ,society built the vestry in the attic story of the church1 and the following year1 #ahcg1 the interior of the church was altered by a new pulpit1 ceiling1 introduction of gas1 painting1 c4 at an expense of nearly five thousand dollars4 ,and in the year #ahdj1 the ,society purchased the organ now in the church4 ,during the first years of the existence of the ,society1 the singing was considered of a superior order2 and it may be interesting to some of the younger members of the ,society to know that1 in #ahcc1 the ,standing ,committee approved of the selection1 by the choir1 of ,miss ,charlotte ,cushman1 as the leading female singer4 ,mr4 ,win4 ,barry1 one of the original proprietors1 and at present one of the oldest men of the congregation1 conducted this part of public worship for several years4 ,in #ahdj1 the subject of an associate pastor was first brought forward2 and1 in #ahda1 commenced those unfortunate difficulties in regard to it1 which continued with little interruption until the fall of #ahde1 when the proprietors were called together to act upon a proposition to sell the meeting-house and wind up the affairs of the ,society4 ,this proposition was1 however1 rejected1 by a decisive vote of more than two to one1 out of one hundred votes cast4 ,during this period1 the pulpit was supplied one half the time by ,father ,ballou1 and the other half by ,rev4 ,t4,c4 ,adam1 from ,may1 #ahdb1 to ,may1 #ahdc2 by ,rev4 ,h4,b4 ,soule1 from ,may1 #ahdd1 to ,may1 #ahde2 and the other two years by the ,standing ,committee4 ,that portion of the ,society who voted against the proposition to sell1 had1 early in that year1 taken counsel together in regard to the future prosperity of the ,society4 ,father ,ballou expressed a willingness to be relieved from all active duties as pastor of the ,society1 other than those he might choose to perform as senior pastor1 and also to relinquish his salary if the ,society felt that with their whole means they would be able to secure the services of one who would again unite them together4 ,accordingly1 ,september #bh1 #ahde1 the proprietors were called together1 and his proposition was accepted4 ,they also unanimously invited the ,rev4 ,e4,h4 ,chapin to become junior pastor1 at a yearly salary of two thousand dollars2 and on the #hth of ,november the following acceptance of their call was received by the committee through whom the invitation was tendered4 ,charlestown1 ,nov4 #h1 #ahde4 ,brethren3-- ,the invitation to become associate pastor of your ,society1 which you have extended to me1 is hereby accepted4 ,preliminaries relative to the time when ,i can assume my connection with you must be the subject of future communications4 ,and that ,god may bless this decision to your good1 to mine1 and to his glory1--is the prayer of ,yours1 ,fraternally1 ,e4,h4 ,chapin4 ,to the ,committee4 ,br4 ,chapin was installed ,january #bh1 #ahdf4 ,the sermon was preached by ,father ,ballou1 from ,i ,peter iv1 #aj and #aa4 ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,cook1 ,hichborn1 ,streeter1 ,,ii4 ,ballou #b;d1 ,skinner1 ,fay1 and ,cleverly1 took part in the services4 ,at the annual meeting in ,may1 #ahdf1 a committee was appointed to express to ,rev4 ,hosea ,ballou the feelings of high regard unanimously cherished towards him by the ,society1 in consideration of his long and valuable services as their pastor2 and to assure him that their prayers for his welfare were still with him in his relations as senior pastor of the ,society4 ,to this1 the following reply was received by the committee4 ,boston1 ,may #be1 #ahdf4 ,messrs4 ,benajah ,brigham1 ,joseph ,lincoln1 and ,bela ,beal1 ,brethren3-- ,after having enjoyed so many years of pastoral connection with the ,second ,universalist ,society in this city1 and having served the same so long a time with constant solicitude for their spiritual prosperity and with a consciousness of my many imperfections1 ,i find that words are insufficient to express the satisfaction ,i feel on the reception of the unanimous vote of the ,society expressive of their approbation of my services1 as pastor1 and their prayers for my happiness in my present position as senior4 ,you will1 brethren1 accept my thanks for the acceptable manner in which you have communicated the vote of the ,society to me1 and assure the ,society of my fervent prayer for their spiritual prosperity under their junior pastor4 ,in the bonds of the ,gospel1 ,,hosea ,,ballou4 ,at the annual meeting in #ahdg1 the ,standing ,committee were directed to invite ,father ,ballou to sit for his portrait1 and that the same1 when finished1 be placed in ,murray ,hall4 ,this work was successfully executed1 and ,father ,ballou expressed himself highly complimented by the action of the ,society in regard to it4 ,early in #ahdh1 the ,society were called together to act upon the following letter from ,brother ,chapin4 ,boston1 ,feb4 #e1 #ahdh4 ,brethren3-- ,after1 as ,i trust1 deliberate and proper consideration1 ,i have concluded to take up my connection with your ,society1 and accept of the invitation from ,new ,york4 ,i might extend this letter to great length and yet not express the feelings with which ,i do this act4 ,i can only say that ,i do so with the utmost kindness and with deep gratitude1 and shall always cherish1 with unalloyed satisfaction1 the harmonious season we have passed together4 ,i invoke ,god's blessing upon the ,society you represent1 and to you personally tender the warmest sentiments of personal regard4 ,fraternally yours1 ,e4,h4 ,chapin4 ,to the ,standing ,committee4 ,at the same meeting1 ,february #bj1 #ahdh1 ,rev4 ,a4,a4 ,miner was invited to become the junior pastor of the ,society1 at the same salary which had been paid ,brother ,chapin1 and on the #aeth of ,march1 the committee received the following letter1 accepting the invitation4 ,lowell1 ,march #ae1 #ahdh4 ,brethren3-- ,the invitation which ,i received at your hands1 to become associate pastor of the ,second ,society of ,universalists in ,boston1 has been duly considered1 and is hereby accepted4 ,although this decision seemed compatible with my duty1 it has not been arrived at without a severe trial1 both on account of the existing ties it will sever1 and of my conscious unfitness for so responsible a station4 ,trusting1 however1 in ,him who is always able to help us1 ,i remain1 ,yours in the ,gospel1 ,a4,a4 ,miner4 ,to the ,committee4 ,on the last ,sunday in ,april1 ,brother ,chapin preached his farewell sermon from the text1 ,and now1 brethren1 ,i commend you to ,god1 and to the word of his grace1 which is able to build you up1 and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified4 ,acts xx4 #cb4 ,brother ,miner was installed ,may #ca4 ,sermon1 by ,mr4 ,chapin1 from ,john x4 #aj4 ,the other exercises were performed by ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,dennis1 ,mott1 ,ballou1 ,h4 ,ballou #b;d1 ,fay1 ,streeter1 and ,cook4 ,under the ministry of ,brother ,chapin1 the ,society was united and prosperous2 and under the present ministry of ,brother ,miner1 that union and prosperity are unabated4 ,may the favor of ,god grant them a long continuance4 ,,the ,,example ,,of ,,the ,,bee4 ,the little bee1 by instinct alone1 is taught the necessity of faithful labor4 ,in the summer1 it collects honey from every flower1 that it may have a supply of food for the approaching winter1 when the flowers have all faded4 ,but children have reason1 instead of instinct1 to guide them2 and should be industrious in childhood and youth1 in gathering the sweets of knowledge and virtue for spiritual sustenance in the winter of life4 ,,the ,,morning ,,walk4 ,children1 in the early morning1 ,when the sun's first rosy ray1 ,bright'ning on the distant hill-top1 ,gilds the tall spire o'er the way1 ,raise the heavy1 sleepy eyelid1 ,welcome cheerfully the light2 ,nature's time for rest and slumber ,passes with the hours of night4 ,while the air is freshest1 purest1 ,and the city seems at rest1 ,rise1 and while the eye beams clearest1 ,roam with me1 an out-door guest4 ,and abroad we'll gayly wander1 ,till the hour for breakfast calls2 ,passing through those streets that lead us ,to our lofty ,state ,house halls4 ,enter now our glorious ,common6 ,on its beauty gaze awhile6 ,as the glowing sunshine greets it1 ,see the face of ,nature smile6 ,on the broad1 smooth walks tread freely1 ,sentinelled by stately trees1 ,whose green leafy boughs o'erarching1 ,herald every passing breeze2 ,casting1 too1 at brightest mid-day1 ,o'er these paths a pleasant shade2 ,blessings on our ,city ,fathers1 ,who this wise provision made4 ,here1 just opposite the fountain1 ,on this block of granite rest2 ,while with eye and ear attentive1 ,admiration is expressed4 ,see the living spray-drops leaping1 ,crowned with dancing diamond light2 ,midway hangs the bright-hued rainbow6 ,is it not a dazzling sight8 ,and in what a gay confusion ,do the waters meet below6 ,now compare this stone-paved basin ,with the frog-pond1 years ago6 ,rustling leaves1 and murmuring fountain1 ,fill with melody the air1 ,blending with the wild birds' singing1-- ,such sweet sounds can banish care4 ,notice1 how the grass is laden1 ,thickly gemmed with sparkling dew1 ,which at eve so gently falleth1 ,thus its verdure to renew4 ,viewing these fair works of ,nature1 ,with the art of man combined1 ,are our thoughts not tending upward ,to the ,author of mankind8 ,yes1 with grateful hearts we thank ,him1 ,for our lives so truly blest2 ,asking strength to meet time's changes1 ,faith to think them for the best4 ,we must learn life's varied lessons1 ,their deep meaning must unfold2 ,sad or merry1 they will yield us ,more true wealth than mines of gold6 ,hark6 the breakfast bell is calling6 ,hasten to your homes away6 ,let us hope to meet here often1 ,welcoming the early day4 ,,true ,,satisfaction4 ,to the faithful teacher1 there is no greater pleasure than is afforded on each returning ,sunday1 by his labors with his class4 ,wielding ,christian truth in the full exercise of human affections1 he moulds the young heart as with a hand divine4 ,punctuality4--,one of the beauties of the ,sabbath school is the punctuality of its scholars and teachers4 ,,female ,,education4 ,in ancient days female education was almost entirely neglected1 and woman's intellectual powers were left to slumber4 ,her mind was a barren waste1 exhibiting no rich1 luxuriant verdure1 diversified only by a few outward accomplishments1 which served to please the fancy of the stronger sex4 ,the ,spartan woman1 distinguished for her sternness of character and warlike disposition1 looked with shame upon a son who could return from battle unless victorious1 ever teaching him1 from his earliest infancy1 to conquer1 or to die on the battle-field4 ,all the gentle and amiable qualities of the heart were repressed in their growth2 and1 while ,sparta offered to her sons the rich boon of intellectual culture1 her daughters were thought unworthy of the gift4 ,and ,athens1 that great and mighty city1 exercising a most powerful influence over the civilized world1 distinguished for her legislators1 her philosophers1 and her historians1--what was the condition of woman there8 ,the slave1 rather than the companion of man1 she knew not that1 were the storehouse of knowledge opened for her1 she could come forward and stand on an equality with the proud lord of creation6 ,rome1 too1 the metropolis of the world1 denied to woman her proper station in society1 not dreaming of the hidden gems of thought which lay undiscovered beneath the thick incrustations of ignorance and superstition4 ,but now1 all the precious gifts which learning can bestow are justly extended to her also2 and man1 with his increase of knowledge1 has wisely learned to respect the mental abilities with which ,god has endowed her2 has found that she may1 like himself1 ascend the steep hill of science1 enjoy its pleasures1 cull its sweetest flowers1 and drink of the pure and living waters from the inexhaustible fountains of knowledge4 ,and what has caused this change8 ,the bright star which appeared to the wise men of the ,east1 eighteen hundred years ago1 heralding a ,savior's birth1 foretold also woman's release from the thraldom which had bound her4 ,it was to her a star of promise1 telling her that the strong chains of ignorance and superstition which bound her1 should be broken asunder by the gentle influences of the religion of the lowly ,jesus4 ,it is ,christianity which has raised her from the degradation which was once hers1 and induced man to acknowledge her equality with him4 ,education exalts and refines the mind of woman1 and enables her to contribute to the happiness of those around her4 ,it is that which renders her the dutiful and obedient daughter1 the kind and affectionate sister1 the trusting and loving companion1 and the fond and tender parent4 ,the old adage1 woman must be ignorant in order to be useful1 has been long thrown aside among the rubbish of the past1 and remembered only as a relic of the superstitions of other days4 ,home1 with its duties1 is woman's sphere of action2 and1 to fulfil properly those duties1 she must be educated2 she must not be kept in intellectual bondage1 but must be fully awakened to the responsibilities of her station4 ,it is she who watches over our infancy1 guides our childhood1 presents to our infant minds the rudiments of knowledge1 and cheers us in our progress by showing us the honors which attend those who acquire true wisdom1 and therefore must her mind be early taught to comprehend the duties which devolve upon her4 ,a broad field is that of ,education2 and while she strives to make acquisitions in the various branches of knowledge1 let her not forget that better education of the mind and heart4 ,talent1 without virtue to guide1 is like a ship without sails or rudder1 exposed to the wild winds of the storm on the broad expanse of the ocean4 ,what sadder spectacle can there be1 than to behold a mind employing its talents and its learning in endeavoring to lead its fellow-beings away from the paths of rectitude1 disregarding the laws of ,god and man1 and refusing to acknowledge the ,source that gave it birth8 ,from such an example we turn with sorrow and disgust1 and gladly look to those good and noble ones who have adorned their sex4 ,the names of ,hannah ,more1 ,maria ,edgeworth1 ,felicia ,hemans1 ,letitia ,landon1 ,harriet ,martineau1 and a host of others1 show what woman can do when properly educated2 for they are equally distinguished in private1 for their amiable and domestic qualities1 as in public for their high intellectual attainments4 ,let woman follow their example1 never failing to embrace all opportunities presented to her for moral and intellectual improvement4 ,,one ,,family4 ,we are all brothers and sisters of one great family1 and should always treat each other as such4 ,if you suffer provocation1 let the remembrance that it is a brother who has injured you1 prevent retaliation1 and secure for him entire forgiveness4 ,he who can forgive injuries1 puts himself beyond the reach of harm1 and secures a peace of soul more valuable than the gold of ,ophir4 ,,summer ,,thoughts4 ,a ,,fable4 ,i suppose most of the readers of this little volume have been in the country the past summer4 ,as you beheld the green grass1 the fine spreading trees1 and the beautiful flowers that sprang up in your pathway1 perhaps the feeling came over you that you could be far happier in the country than in the city4 ,we are very apt to suppose that change of place will produce a more delightful state of feeling2 forgetting that in a little time we should become familiar with all these objects1 and then we return again to our former selves4 ,precisely so it is with children in the country4 ,they come to this busy city1 and eagerly gaze at the varied shows which attract the eye1 and would prefer to exchange situations with you2 but by and by they become wearied with sightseeing1 and the home they have left rises before them as a pleasanter abode than any other dwelling1 however rich or elegant4 ,thus they learn to be happy at home2 and this is a most valuable attainment4 ,but1 in order to be permanently happy1 we must have something to do4 ,there are other lessons to be learned besides those we commit in the schoolroom4 ,the whole world1 indeed1 is a school1 and we are daily committing our tasks4 ,these teachings are preparations for our future happiness4 ,you have all noticed the growth of a tree4 ,at first1 only a little twig springs out of the ground4 ,and so with the flower4 ,you deposit only a tiny seed2 but in a little time a shoot springs up1 and by natural but slow processes the twig becomes a large shady tree1 and the shoot a beautiful blooming flower4 ,though they grow very slowly1 yet they never rest4 ,day and night the hidden processes are going on which help to promote their growth4 ,just so it is with the minds of children4 ,they are daily acquiring those habits which will eventually make the whole sum of their characters4 ,but then1 great care is requisite how they form these characters2 that they may spring up in fair proportions1 making their possessors worthy members of society4 ,i will illustrate this by a fable1 which occurred to me as ,i walked over the beautiful garden of a friend1 with whom ,i spent a few weeks the past summer4 ,we will suppose1 for our present purpose1 that the flowers have an articulate voice4 ,a stately dahlia grew in a cultivated garden4 ,there were many of the same species of flowers1 but no other had the peculiar variegated tints of this particular one4 ,every one1 in passing by it1 was attracted by its beauty4 ,it seemed as if vain of flattery1 although we know it had no ears to hear1 for every day it seemed to increase in size and beauty4 ,with its lofty head1 it gained a supremacy above all its neighbors1 and the heavy shower and furious wind failed to soil its petals or bend its graceful form4 ,away off in the farther corner of the garden1 under a hedge1 bloomed a simple white clover4 ,it was entirely unheeded by the multitude1 although it gave a sweetness and fragrancy to the air1 which made the invalid stop to inhale it4 ,in its modesty it bloomed1 in its lowly bed it sought no observation1 and was passed by as a simple white clover4 ,by and by the mower's scythe passed that way and levelled it among common grasses4 ,it was gathered in the general mass of hay1 and became a part of the sustenance of the master's cattle4 ,the dahlia was plucked by the horticulturist1 and placed in a glass receptacle1 among kindred flowers1 where it was gazed at for a time2 then it faded and was thrown among common rubbish4 ,during their lifetime we will suppose them to have conversed together4 ,i1 said the dahlia1 am queen of this garden4 ,i attract every eye that passes2 while you1 little clover1 are hidden by the tall grass1 and liable to be crushed at any moment4 ,well1 replied the clover1 let it be so now2 but look at our final end4 ,you will be placed in a glass1 plucked from your native stem1 where you will wither and die as a worthless thing2 while ,i shall be felled by the scythe1 after ,i have reached my maturity1 and then a thousand tiny seeds will ,i strow around me2 so that1 another reason1 ,i shall bloom all about the hedges1 and my usefulness will be appreciated4 ,and pray where will you then be8 ,the dahlia blushed1 and hung its head for shame4 ,here1 children1 is a fable designed to illustrate pride and humility4 ,which appears the most beautiful1 because the most useful8 ,i know you will prefer humility to pride4 ,if so1 you must remember that the peculiar traits you now cultivate are forming within you the one or the other4 ,by a thousand little kind acts1 you can diffuse happiness in your homes2 and all the while you are disseminating these virtues1 you are acquiring these lasting graces1 in yourselves1 which will spring up1 like the violet and sweet clover1 leaving a fragrancy and beauty wherever you have trodden4 ,a ,,talk ,,with ,,the ,,children4 ,dear children1--although ,i am almost a stranger among you1 yet ,i feel a true interest in your welfare4 ,it gives me great pleasure when ,i enter the ,sabbath school to meet your happy countenances and smiling faces4 ,children1 you do not assemble together for the purpose of passing an hour that perhaps might pass unpleasantly elsewhere4 ,it is for a higher and nobler purpose4 ,it is to gain useful and religious instruction from the ,bible1 the best of all books4 ,you should not be content with learning and reciting your lessons1 but you should try to remember what you learn4 ,and when you grow up to be men and women1 you will never regret it4 ,it is in the ,bible that we are taught to love ,god1 and all mankind4 ,when we enter the ,sabbath school1 may we learn to say1 ,to-day is the ,sabbath day1 ever blessed and beautiful2 welcome to its holy and happy influence6 ,welcome1 thrice welcome1 the day of sweet repose1 and sweeter meditation4 ,spring is sometimes compared to childhood4 ,in spring1 when the brooks fall gurgling down the mountain side1 when the earth begins to be covered with its verdant robes1 when the birds are joyfully singing around1 the trees gently waving in the breeze1 and all is gay and gladsome1 we sometimes wish that it could always be spring4 ,so in youth1 we sometimes wish we could always be young2 but it cannot be4 ,but as each season in its turn1 spring1 summer1 autumn1 and even winter1 clothed in its robes of snow1 has its own pleasures1 so each season of life is wisely invested of ,god1 with its own peculiar joys4 ,though it is now spring-time1 it will soon be autumn with you1 when you must impart that useful knowledge you will have gained in spring and summer4 ,now is the time for you to store up that knowledge4 ,if our childhood and youth are rightly employed1 age will compare no more unfavorably1 as regards its joys1 with youth and middle age1 than does winter with spring4 ,endeavor1 then1 to acquire that useful knowledge that will teach you so to live that you may set a good example to all around you4 ,children1 this beautiful world we live in was made for you4 ,it is filled with beauty1 and when we look around upon it1 our hearts within us say1 how great and good is our ,god6 ,how wonderful are all of his works6 ,the beautiful in nature is all the production of his power4 ,he spoke this world into being1 and decorated it with sun1 moon1 and stars4 ,beauty and loveliness are stamped upon everything that he has made4 ,but no scene in the outward world transcends in loveliness the ,sabbath school1 where the young come to receive ,christian instruction4 ,and now1 dear children1 make this wise resolution2 to love your ,sabbath school1 your parents and teachers1 all the world1 and especially your heavenly ,father1 better than you ever have before2 and you will be better and happier children4 ,,uncle ,,jimmy4 ,it was ,saturday afternoon4 ,the boys were enjoying their sports1 when one of them espied ,uncle ,jimmy coming towards them4 ,look1 boys1 said he1 ,uncle ,jimmy is coming4 ,we will ask him to stop and tell us some stories4 ,now ,uncle ,jimmy was a very aged man1 bowed down with years1 and so feeble that he could not walk without the aid of his cane4 ,when the weather was mild1 he used to take short walks1 and the children were always happy to see him4 ,they all claimed the privilege of calling him ,uncle4 ,one little boy ran forward to assist him1 and led him to a seat beneath a shady tree4 ,ball and hoop were soon forgotten1 as they eagerly pressed round the old man1 to show him their respect2 for he always had a word for each of them4 ,do not let me interrupt your sports1 boys2 ,i am fond of seeing you at your plays4 ,i had once as many playmates as yourselves1 and enjoyed them as well4 ,the little boy who assisted him to his seat1 replied1 ,we had rather hear you talk to us1 if you please1 sir2 for we have not seen you for so long a time4 ,true1 true1 ,i have been housed up1 and it is rare1 nowadays1 that ,i walk so far as this4 ,i'm glad to see you all so well and happy4 ,if you wish to keep so1 be always temperate1 and do not neglect your duties4 ,whenever conscience whispers to you1 ',i have done my duty1' you will enjoy the sports allowed you4 ,i have now in my mind the memory of an old friend4 ,it is indeed pleasant to think of him4 ,he was remarkable for his industry1 even when very young2 yet at play he was as merry as the merriest of us4 ,his mind and his heart were in it4 ,he became a very superior scholar4 ,some of you may think that it was because he had superior talents1 that he thus excelled in scholarship4 ,it is true1 he had rare talents2 but by his industry he made every talent ten talents2 and he always exercised his powers for the good of others1 for he was benevolent in his disposition4 ,i am proud to think of him1 when in his prime4 ,young and old were benefited by his instruction1 and he was universally beloved and respected2 for he had become a useful preacher of the word of ,god1 and a devoted minister4 ,his example of industry and perseverance exerted an extensive influence upon others1 and changed in some measure the whole face of society in the community in which he lived4 ,many more stories did ,uncle ,jimmy relate to the children1 which ,i have not time to repeat now4 ,the afternoon was far spent ere any of them wearied of hearing him2 and many a good lesson did they receive1 which ,i trust was as good seed1 sown on good ground4 ,i trust my little readers will as readily listen to the counsels of the aged1 and as respectfully heed their advice1 as did these children4 ,in this way1 you will give promise of becoming wise and good4 ,the children waited on ,uncle ,jimmy to his home2 and1 when they left him1 he prayed ,god to bless them4 ,,the ,,child',s ,,dream ,,of ,,heaven4 ,mother1 ,i dreamed of heaven2 ,and all around were choirs of angels1 singing ,hymns of praise2 and children joining hands1 ,and looking so bright and happy1 that ,i wished ,i could be always with them4 ,and in their midst ,the ,savior stood and blessed them1 saying1 ,suffer little children unto me to come4 ,then all around were flowers so sweet1 dear mother1 ,that the whole air seemed filled with fragrance1 and ,the birds were warbling sweetest songs of love4 ,the sky was fairer than our sky1 dear mother2 ,and the sunshine seemed more bright2 and as it beamed ,upon the angels' forms1 they looked as though ,all made of light4 ,and then ,i looked for those ,that left us1 who1 you said1 had gone to heaven1 ,to join the angels round the throne of ,god4 ,there ,i saw sister1 and my little brother ,we long since buried in the dark1 cold ground1 ,whom ,i had thought ,i never more should meet4 ,they looked1 dear mother1 as they used to look1 ,when they were well and happy2 ere disease ,had robbed them of their beauty1 or death's seal ,fastened upon their features4 ,and their faces ,beamed with a brightness never seen before4 ,i asked if they were happy1 and if ,i ,could join them2 or if they would return ,to us again2 and told them1 mother dear1 ,how lonely we had felt since they departed1 ,and left us in our grief2 and how we missed ,their pleasant voices and their merry laugh2 ,for though you said 'twas wrong to wish them back1 ,i could not think but you would welcome them4 ,they were too happy in their angel home1 ,to think of coming back to earth again2 ,and neither1 said they1 could ,i stay with them1 ,because my time was not yet come4 ,but they ,would look upon us from their high abode1 ,and ask our ,saviour's blessing on us both2 ,and soon his arms would open1 and his voice ,would call on us to follow them2 and they ,would welcome us to those bright realms above1 ,where they1 with angels1 now have found a home2 ,where all shall find a home1 a resting-place1 ,after the toils of earth4 ,where skies are bright1 ,and spring forever reigns4 ,where flowers shall bloom ,in never-fading freshness1 nor be touched ,by winter's frost4 ,and1 more than all1 where love ,unites all hearts in one great brotherhood1 ,nor separation comes to break the chain4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,sabbath ,,schools4 ,just as the twig is bent1 the tree's inclined1--is an adage as true as it is ancient4 ,one's character1 happiness1 and usefulness1 during his whole life1 depends1 in no small measure1 upon early education4 ,the child taught to disregard the ,sabbath1 and lightly to esteem the instructions of the ,sabbath school1 grows to manhood devoid of aught that can entitle him to the society and respect of the good and virtuous4 ,with a soul shrouded in midnight darkness1 he gropes his way through life1 and at the grave sinks into oblivion1 by none esteemed1 by all forgot4 ,however we may hope for such a soul1 through the mercy of ,god1 as we surely do1 it is not now qualified to enter upon and fully appreciate the purity and joys of ,christ's kingdom4 ,we seldom hear of the execution or imprisonment of one who regarded in youth the ,sabbath school4 ,indeed1 ,i think it impossible for one who has been successfully taught to reverence and to love the teachings of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 to become an outcast from society4 ,it is true1 envy1 with its envenomed tongue1 and malice1 with its still more poisonous breath1 may assail even such a one2 but their shafts will fall harmless at his feet4 ,the shield of his soul they cannot pierce4 ,they cannot eradicate from the heart the influence of the high and holy lessons which it received in youth4 ,its many sources of enjoyment they cannot destroy4 ,pleasant and important1 therefore1 are the duties of teachers4 ,the directing of tender affections1 and the development of youthful powers1 are intrusted to their hands4 ,if they perform their duties faithfully1 they may have the satisfaction of seeing the pupils of their charge useful among men1 devoted to right1 and obedient unto ,god4 ,such an office is lovely4 ,it is more than lovely1 it is holy4 ,it blesses him who fills it4 ,it exalts his affections1 ennobles his purposes1 and enlarges his heart4 ,do we not see the fruit of this labor in our own school8 ,in the kindness and love of the children for each other1 in their faithfulness in the duties of the school1 and in their respectful and affectionate bearing towards their teachers and all others1 do we not recognize some of the fruits of ,sabbath school culture8 ,and may we not expect that such children will be beloved1 honored1 and useful among men8 ,do we not also see some of the fruits of these influences in the fraternal regard of teachers for each other1 in their devotion to their duties as teachers1 and in their distinguishing virtues as ,christians8 ,have we not1 especially1 seen the fruit of these influences in the enduring patience1 calm hopefulness1 and cheerful trust1 of one of our number whom we have just followed to her resting-place8 ,the ,lord make us faithful1 that our end may be like hers4 ,,memory4 ,o ,memory6 thou wak'ner of the dead6 ,thou only treasurer of vanished past6 ,how welcome art thou1 when bright hope is fled1 ,and sorrow's mantle o'er the soul is cast6 ,back o'er those days too beautiful to last1 ,thy gentle hand will lead the saddened thought2 ,and though the tears may trickle warm and fast1 ,yet thy sweet pictures with such peace are fraught1 ,the heart1 beguiled1 exclaims1 ',this is the fount ,i sought4' ,memory6 ,who has not felt its influence6 ,who of us would wish to part with its delights and quiet teachings6 ,beautifully adapted is the twilight hour to the cherishing of the recollections of the past4 ,it is then that the hum of busy life is hushed1 and all nature seems resting from its toil4 ,then1 in undisturbed peace1 rise before us the loved ones we have cherished1 and whose memories1 like guardian angels1 always attend us4 ,we recall every affectionate word and kindly deed1 however trivial or little heeded at the time4 ,and how sweet then are our thoughts1 and our recompense1 if we have never caused them an unhappy moment6 ,half the bitterness of affliction is removed by such blessed memories4 ,then let us make them ours4 ,let us so live that it shall be possible for us to cherish them4 ,then will they bring to us many happy hours1 and sweet solace to the suffering heart4 ,each moment1 as it flits by1 enters its record upon the tablet of memory1 to be read with joy or sorrow at some future moment4 ,then let each moment find some worthy deed to perform1 or kind word to be spoken1 that shall cause a glow of pleasure and satisfaction when memory recalls it4 ,all memories are not alike pleasing2 yet each may have its mission to perform4 ,past sin may bring pain with its recollection4 ,it comes as a warning1 lest we should transgress again4 ,if1 then1 we would treasure up for ourselves pleasant memories for the future1 we must guard well the present moment4 ,it is equally cheering to feel that we ourselves have a place in the memory of our friends4 ,what a motive it should be to us1 then1 to live in such a manner that their memory of us may be as the memory of the just1 which the ,scriptures declare to be blessed4 ,,selfishness4 ,the selfish man wrongs himself in attempting to wrong others4 ,in filling his pockets unjustly with gold1 he drives away joy from his soul4 ,he forgets his relationship to angels1 and only remembers his affinity to brutes4 ,,trouble4 ,worldly trouble is the tonic of the soul4 ,affliction at once humbles us and gives us a relish for spiritual food4 ,those providences which teach us the insufficiency of earth1 make us lean on heaven4 ,,revenge4 ,revenge is the putting out of one's own eyes for the sake of putting out the eyes of another4 ,a ,,biographical ,,sketch4 ,in admiring the virtues and moral excellence of one who holds a high rank in society1 who fills a distinguished place in the ,state1 or occupies a responsible seat in the halls of science or in the church1 we are liable to be swayed in our judgment4 ,his social position is a kind of magnifying lens1 through which all his virtues are viewed4 ,but when a comparatively obscure individual from the humbler walks of life claims our attention1 we are better able to estimate his virtues at their true value4 ,such a one we meet with in the subject of this brief sketch4 ,miss ,hannah ,s4 ,shedd was born in ,boston1 ,february #e1 #ahbf4 ,the death of her father1 preceded as it was by the death of her mother1 left her an orphan at the age of eight years4 ,she was the second of three surviving children by their father's second marriage1 all of whom were left in charge of a half sister1 who was the eldest of five children by a former marriage1 and who was all to them that a mother even could be4 ,one of the parents was an ,episcopalian in sentiment1 the other a ,universalist4 ,the elder children were attendants upon ,universalist worship in the ,school street ,church1 while the younger attended one of the ,baptist churches of the city4 ,hannah1 the subject of our sketch1 continued under the influence of ,baptist doctrines and worship until about fifteen years of age1 when at her own earnest solicitation she was permitted to attend the ,universalist church1 and become a member of the ,school street ,universalist ,sunday school4 ,the influence upon her feelings of the change in regard to a place of worship1 was very marked4 ,she was naturally inclined to religious meditation and reflection1 but was never satisfied with what she had been accustomed to hear4 ,nor can she be regarded as singular1 in this respect4 ,however true it may be that ,christianity is adapted in its simplicity to the susceptibilities of the young--and ,i believe this is eminently true--it is equally true1 that the ordinary partialist interpretations of it are not thus adapted to their susceptibilities4 ,the young are not satisfied with these4 ,the clearer their perceptions1 and the more comprehensive their thought1 the greater is their dissatisfaction4 ,it was so with ,hannah1 even when but a child4 ,but when the hungerings of her soul found their appropriate aliment in the ministrations of the venerable ,hosea ,ballou1 then the sole pastor of the church to which she turned for peace1 the change was in the highest degree salutary4 ,her satisfaction was very great4 ,she also found great pleasure in accompanying her eldest sister to the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,streeter's ,friday evening meetings2 and so highly did she prize these religious privileges1 that she could scarcely submit to be deprived of them for a single evening or ,sabbath without shedding tears4 ,her natural amiability and generosity of disposition--a generosity especially marked in her demeanor towards her eldest sister1 who had become a mother to her--made the ,universalist interpretation of ,christianity to be to her indeed the bread of life4 ,not only did she seek for this spiritual nutriment in the regular ministrations of the sanctuary and in the conference meeting1 but she turned also to the ,sabbath school with the same fond devotion to ,christian truth4 ,during the connection of the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,soule with the ,school street ,society1 he established a ,bible class1 of which ,miss ,shedd became one of the earliest members4 ,she has often spoken to the writer of this of the great profit she was conscious of having derived therefrom4 ,she was also one of the earliest members of the class formed by the present junior pastor of the ,society1 ,rev4 ,mr4 ,miner1 and in the discharge of her duties in that capacity she showed uncommon clearness of perception1 and not a little vigor of thought4 ,at the age of fourteen she left school and took up the needle that she might aid her sisters in gaining for the family an honorable maintenance4 ,she has been known to ply the needle with all diligence till ten o'clock at night1 and then turn to her ,sunday school book to make preparation for the ,sabbath4 ,if this is an example of too severe application to toil1 it shows at the same time a devotion to spiritual culture in the highest degree commendable4 ,strict integrity and a strong sense of justice characterized her even in her childhood4 ,a little circumstance bearing upon this point ,i will relate4 ,she had been to an apothecary's shop for some medicines1 and on reaching home found that she had received back more change than was due4 ,of her own accord she proposed to return it1 nor would she willingly delay for a moment the performance of so manifest an act of justice4 ,she received from the apothecary the highest encomium1 and a reward for her integrity4 ,in all her transactions she showed the same scrupulousness in matters of right1 and thus became a bright example for all children to imitate4 ,she was not less remarkable for her obedience to the wishes of her sister1 than for her regard for justice4 ,she not only obeyed1 but obeyed readily and cheerfully4 ,and so sensible is that sister of her great excellence in this respect1 now that she has passed away1 that she cannot speak of her but with the deepest emotion4 ,she seemed to have very little power to bear disappointment4 ,her feelings were very tender1 and her sensibilities great4 ,disappointment1 therefore1 brought the ready tear to her eye2 and solicitous affection1 if possible1 removed the pressure which had caused it4 ,but some of the later revelations of her life indicated rare ability to endure disappointment1 and to cherish hope even in the audience-chamber of death4 ,thus will it appear in the end that her heart was full of ,christian confidence and holy trust4 ,in the course of ,june1 #ahej1 it was observed by her friends that her health was manifestly declining4 ,she was advised to leave her employment at once1 and seek in relaxation and change of scene the reestablishment of her health and the restoration of her accustomed vigor4 ,accordingly accompanied by her brother1 she spent some three weeks of the month of ,july in various parts of ,maine2 but health did not come back to her4 ,disease was too deeply seated to be beguiled away4 ,she returned to her home but to languish and die4 ,when the news of her mortal illness reached the ,sabbath school1 in which she had now been a faithful and beloved teacher for about a year1 it produced the most intense interest and solicitude4 ,all felt that a dearly beloved sister had become the victim of the destroyer4 ,that1 however1 which was a source of unmingled grief in the beginning1 became a sanctifying power in the end4 ,when first informed that it was feared her disease would terminate fatally1 she betrayed the deepest emotion1 with scarcely the utterance of a word4 ,her natural sensibility made the weight upon her spirits seem insupportable4 ,but when the first shock was past and her powers had had time to rally1 she was found equal to the trial that awaited her4 ,that truth which she had long loved1 and which had produced very little of that ,christian display by which the world judges1 had wrought silently but powerfully upon her understanding and her heart4 ,it had begotten hopes in a naturally hopeful spirit1 stronger than death itself4 ,when her pastor from time to time spoke to her of the labors and sacrifices of ,christ1 of the love of the ,father and of the blessedness of immortality1 leading her sometimes to meditate upon the highest forms of ,christian truth1 the smile of satisfaction that played upon her countenance1 showed not only that her powers were equal to the effort1 but that her heart was satisfied with its fruit4 ,her disease1 which was consumption1 was of a very painful character1 especially as regarded difficulty of breathing4 ,she was compelled to sit up continually1 almost to the hour of her death4 ,yet in the moment of expected dissolution1 so generous was her nature1 her heart was yearning for blessings on others rather than herself4 ,at one time just before her death she requested her pastor to remember in his prayer an absent sister1 that she might recover from a critical illness2 and in one of his last interviews with her1 she desired him to attend her funeral and comfort her brothers and sisters1 and especially that sister who had been a mother to her4 ,oh1 ,hannah has always been a good girl burst from the lips of that sister1--an involuntary tribute to cheerful1 ready obedience1 and true excellence of heart4 ,she had given some little memento of affection to each of the family and friends1 and enjoined upon her brother1 who still remains with the sisters1 to be sure and be kind to them1 when she quietly fell asleep4 ,thus died an excellent young woman1 ,oct4 #b;d1 #ahej1 aged #bd years and #h months4 ,the strength of her trust and the depth of her ,christian experience could be seen in her meek submission to suffering1 in that remarkable patience which allowed not a word of murmuring to escape her lips through the whole progress of her disease1 and which enabled her to believe that every providence of ,god is ordered in perfect wisdom4 ,humble in her outward position1 her spiritual attainments were of the most exalted character4 ,the stores of excellence treasured in her heart were made manifest in the hour of great trial1 and the ,christian instruction to which she was accustomed to apply herself1 begat the holiest resignation and the most confident trust4 ,the fact that this good was in no small degree wrought in the ,sabbath school1 should lead the ,sabbath school teacher to understand the dignity and importance of his office1 the opportunities he enjoys for directing the affections of the young heart1 and the necessity of a large measure of ,christian attainment to qualify him for the successful discharge of so great responsibilities4 ,may the example of our departed sister be sanctified to the good of all thus employed4 ,,the ,,sabbath ,,school ,,boys4 ,what do we go to the ,sabbath school for8 asked a little boy of his companion who was some years older than himself1 and who had1 as ,i discovered by their conversation1 attended the school for a long time1 that is1 compared with the time which many children1 boys especially1 think it of any use to go to the ,sabbath school4 ,some boys when at the age of twelve or fourteen years1 think they are too old to receive any benefit from ,sabbath school instruction4 ,hearing the question of this little boy1 and observing the look of intelligence and sincerity in his companion1 and being desirous of knowing what answer would be given1 ,i remained within hearing of their conversation1 and will try to present to the scholars in our school1 through the medium of ,our ,gift1 the good reasons which he gave to his little companion1 7who was his younger brother17 why he went to the ,sabbath school4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,i go because ,i like to go1 and ,i like to go because ,i always enjoy myself there better than ,i do anywhere else4 ,i find pleasure in the singing1 in the prayer1 and in the lessons4 ,the lessons are not hard to learn when ,i understand them1 and the learning of them is even a pleasant task2 for my teacher has a way of making our lessons interesting to us1 in hearing us recite4 ,he asks us questions about the subject of the lesson before using the book1 and he generally finds some interesting matter relating to it1 and we become so much engaged that the time is gone before we are aware of it1 and we have to stop and wait for the next session of the school4 ,young4 ,b4 ,i like the school too1 though ,i have been only twice4 ,how old was you when you first went to the ,sabbath school1 brother8 ,eld4 ,b4 ,i was seven years old1 and ,i am now fourteen2 and ,i mean to continue till ,i am able to take a class myself4 ,i want to have the pleasure of being a teacher in our school1 and ,i hope soon to do so1 for the school is increasing very fast in numbers4 ,there are a good many small children coming into the school1 and ,i think that ,i shall be wanted1 for ,i observe that there are not male teachers enough4 ,sometimes one teacher has to attend to two or more classes1 and the time of a session in the school is not sufficient to do this with much advantage4 ,what did you learn in twice going to the school8 tell me that1 and then we shall know1 at least1 what you went to the ,sabbath school for4 ,young4 ,b4 ,i will tell you4 ,after ,i had said a short lesson1 my teacher gave me a little piece called ,the ,child's ,first ,hymn1 which she said she found in a paper published in ,england4 ,it was published for the children of the ,sabbath schools of ,old ,england4 ,she said it would do for us1 the children of ,new ,england1 and wished me to learn it4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,well1 brother1 ,i am sure you have improved the few times that you have attended the school4 ,have you learned the hymn8 and how do you like it8 ,let me hear you repeat it4 ,i should like to know what the children are taught in the ,sabbath schools of ,old ,england4 ,will you please to repeat it to me8 ,young4 ,b ,i will4 ,i did as well as ,i could4 ,i have learned the hymn1 and am much pleased with it4 ,i think of it the last thing when ,i fall asleep at night1 and awake in the morning with it on my mind4 ,but ,i will repeat it to you1 and you will see that ,i have not been to the ,sabbath school1 though for so short a time1 for nothing4 ,the ,child's ,first ,hymn4 ,listen1 ,father1 to my prayer1 ,guard me with thy tender care2 ,teach a humble child to know1 ,the path of duty here below4 ,set a watch upon my heart1 ,lest an evil thought should start2 ,make me gentle1 kind and good1 ,through the ,savior's cleansing blood4 ,all ,i have1 and all ,i see1 ,ever comes1 great ,god1 from thee2 ,help me from my earliest days1 ,in thankful hymns to sing thy praise4 ,bless my parents with thy grace1 ,on my kindred turn thy face2 ,through the darkness of the night1 ,give me rest till morning bright4 ,teach me day by day thy will1 ,with pure love my spirit fill1 ,till ,i'm fitted for that rest1 ,in the mansions of the blest4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,it is indeed a very pretty hymn1 and ,i am glad you have learned it so well4 ,i hope you will never forget it4 ,here comes my teacher2 and as it will be ten minutes before the school commences1 we shall have time for conversation4 ,here the teacher drew near and spoke to the boys3-- ,teach4 ,good morning1 my boys2 how do you do1 this fine morning8 ,eld4 ,b4 ,good morning1 sir2 we are well1 ,i thank you4 ,teach4 ,you are in good season this morning1 and ,i am glad to see that you are4 ,it is so much better to be before our time1 than to be a little late4 ,we get along so much better with the business of the school1 and have time to converse together4 ,besides1 to be in school at the opening of the exercises1 shows that you value and wish to improve its privileges4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,we were talking about the school1 and why we go there4 ,i told my brother that ,i went because ,i like to go4 ,will you please to tell us the advantages of attendance on the ,sabbath school8 ,teach4 ,i will1 my dear boys1 so far as ,i can4 ,it is well to know what we are doing1 how we are accomplishing our work1 and what is to be the result of our labors4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,i am very often asked what ,i learn at the ,sabbath school1 and ,i sometimes answer that ,i learn what there is in the ,bible1 and that my lessons are subjects derived principally from that book4 ,teach4 ,you answer rightly so far4 ,you might add1 also1 that you learn by the example of others4 ,do you see punctuality8 ,you will learn to be punctual4 ,do you see system in the arrangement of the school1 in the method of instruction1 in the library department1 and in the general discipline of the school8 ,you will be orderly and correct in your deportment4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,as ,i am almost old enough to be a teacher1 and desire to take a class as soon as ,i am wanted1 ,i should like to know the best way to make my scholars interested in their studies1 so that they will attend and be correct with their lessons4 ,teach4 ,it is often the case that children feel no interest or pleasure in the school1 because they do not understand its object4 ,they may recite well1 so far as to repeat the words of the lesson1 yet if it be above their capacity1 they will not be benefited4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,this has been the case with me sometimes4 ,after ,i had recited my lesson correctly by the book1 ,i have felt that ,i did not know much about it1 and did not understand what ,i had learned to repeat4 ,teach4 ,it is of great importance in teaching that the subject should be presented to the pupil in the simplest form possible1 that he may be profited by his instructions4 ,i read an anecdote the other day which illustrates this matter1 and ,i will repeat it to you4 ,it is related of ,dr4 ,green1 of ,philadelphia1 that in early life he was one day returning from the services of the sanctuary1 and was accosted by a woman in the humble walks of life4 ,she found difficulty in understanding him1 and took the liberty of giving her youthful pastor a hint4 ',mr4 ,green1' says she 'what do you think is the great duty of the shepherd8' ',no doubt1 to feed the flock1 madam1' was the reply4 ',that is my notion too1' she added1 'and therefore ,i think he should not hold the hay so high that the sheep cannot reach it4' ,this admonition was kindly received1 in the spirit in which it was given1 and had an influence in making him afterwards 'hold the hay lower4' ,this fact should cause you to see to it1 as the old lady did with her pastor1 that your teachers present their instructions in such a form that you will understand them4 ,the hay may be of very good quality1 but it will give no nourishment to the hungry sheep if it is beyond their reach2 it will not benefit them any more than if it were not provided at all4 ,so with your lessons4 ,if you do not feel an interest in them1 if they are beyond your reach1 they may be of no benefit to you4 ,no lasting principle is gained1 but the whole may be lost1 as the words of the lesson are lost to memory and forgotten4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,what are the results of attendance on the ,sabbath school8 ,teach4 ,that question we answer1 partly in faith1 and partly by knowledge4 ,faith is good2--and we know that our school is a good school2 we know that we enjoy ourselves there2 and we know what is learned there is good4 ,it is there that divine influences and joyful communions fill with gladness the hour4 ,we enjoy them1 and if we could say no more1 we think that this would be sufficient4 ,eld4 ,b4 ,that is true4 ,teach4 ,but that is not all2 the results go still further4 ,they are not confined to the hour passed in the schoolroom4 ,the scholar is better and happier for having been there4 ,is it not so with you8 ,eld4 ,b4 ,yes sir2 ,i always feel better when ,i have been to the school4 ,when ,i have said my lesson1 conversed upon the subject of it1 and obtained my library book1 ,i am always glad to have been there4 ,teach4 ,your answer is full of hope and promise2 for if you now find your enjoyment in learning the things of the ,kingdom of ,god1 those evil days will never come to you1 when you will say you have no pleasure in them4 ,the ,sabbath school scholar who is prompt in his duty is in a safe path1--one which1 while affording happiness by the way1 results in the fulness of joy4 ,to him the example of ,christ is an example of love and goodness1 drawing him to the ,father by these divine influences and attractions4 ,he sees ,god1 not only as the ,creator1 but as he is manifested in the world1 by his providence1 which shows us that he not only made the world1 but that he makes the world2 that he is the same in the creation of the flowers and streams as in the creation of storms and tempests2 that he is not far off1 but near1 ever blessing us with the favors of his parental providence2 that his power is over everything2 that motion is his power1 for there can be no motion without mind2 that ,god is present in the child4 ,it cannot live by bread alone4 ,communion must be held with ,god--spirit with spirit4 ,it is recorded of our ,savior that he was led into the waters1 and was buried in baptism2 the ,spirit descended upon him2 he heard the encouragement of that voice which proclaimed his ,sonship to the ,most ,high1 and in the enjoyment of that holy time he came up from the river4 ,then came the tempter2 in the strength of the spirit of the baptism1 he resisted the temptation1 and was victorious over all its forms4 ,so with the object and mission of our ,sabbath schools4 ,you are led to the river of divine truth1 that you may be baptized in its pure waters4 ,you are there shown the ,father1 and we trust that when you go out into the world1 you will1 in the strength of your ,sabbath school baptism1 resist and overcome all temptation to wrong1 and being always engaged for the right1 and living in the light of the gospel1 you will pass through life undefined2 thus may a ,christian character be the result of your attendance on the ,sabbath school4 ,,fear ,,of ,,death4 ,he who rightly understands life1 will not fear death1 he who has learned to trust1 will never cease to hope4 ,he who always cherishes a love of right1 will never be without ,god in the world4 ,treasures4--,knowledge and virtue are the greatest treasures in the universe4 ,gratitude4--,every faithful ,sabbath school teacher has the unfailing gratitude of his class4 ,faith is the eye with which the mind surveys the future4 ,,ill ,,temper4 ,it was the season of vacation1 when children's minds are given to play1 instead of study4 ,it was during this interval1 that a little girl1 whom we will call ,jane1 came from a neighboring town to visit one of her school-mates1 another little girl1 whose name we will call ,emily4 ,the disposition of ,emily was very different from that of ,jane4 ,she was always pleasant and kind1 willing to confer favors upon others1 even though she should not receive the same in return4 ,jane was ill-tempered1 told wrong stories1 and did many things which rendered her a very disagreeable companion4 ,her parents could see no fault in her1 therefore she was permitted to give way to her temper1 which was the cause of her losing friends and gaining enemies4 ,when she was in these violent fits of passion she would accuse her companions of things which would wound their feelings very much4 ,during vacation1 ,emily accepted an invitation which had been given her to spend a few days with ,jane4 ,she enjoyed herself very much while there and invited ,jane to come and see her4 ,soon after ,jane went to visit ,emily4 ,the first part of the time1 she enjoyed very much2 but as her visit was drawing to a close1 she gave way to a violent fit of temper4 ,she took this opportunity to relate to ,emily many things her parents said about her after she had left them4 ,she told her that if she knew what her father and mother said about her1 she would never visit them again4 ,whether they did talk about her1 or whether it was ,jane's ugly temper1 that led her to taunt ,emily1 ,i do not know4 ,but it caused ,emily to feel very much grieved1 because she was not conscious of having done anything which would cause them to talk about her4 ,emily has never visited ,jane since1 nor has she desired to4 ,she thinks that those who treat her well when she is present and talk about her when she is absent1 cannot be her true friends4 ,thus we see that those who govern their temper1 and endeavor to make themselves pleasant and agreeable1 are much more loved and respected than those who give way to this wicked passion4 ,,reading4 ,in my experience1 both as teacher and scholar1 ,i have observed among the young those who read a great many books1 but at the end appear but little wiser4 ,they may have a confused and indistinct recollection of events and characters1 and may be able perhaps to follow out the plan of a story4 ,out of the mass that they have read they may have retained a great many facts2 but being without connection or object1 they are nearly useless4 ,bad habits are formed1 their reading is to no purpose1 and their time1 therefore1 misspent4 ,i fear there are too few among those whose years should enable them to understand and appreciate the objects for which we live1 that do appreciate them4 ,there are too many who suppose that reading is only a very pleasant amusement4 ,they think of printing as a very ingenious invention1 and have no thought higher4 ,they may look about and see a great deal of misery and unhappiness2 but its alleviation is nothing to them4 ,the great mission of life is something that is very well to be talked of in the pulpit1 and ministers and reformers will accomplish it1 no doubt4 ,but life has no responsibilities for them4 ,one of our first duties is to seek our own moral and intellectual culture4 ,let both these portions of our nature be cultivated together4 ,do not separate them1 for by so doing both are threatened with danger4 ,heart without mind is generally weak1 but mind without heart is always dangerous4 ,do not suppose because you have left the schoolroom and no longer have lessons set1 and are no longer reprimanded if they are not committed1 that your education is finished4 ,rather regard the school as the place where you shall learn to study1 life as your term-time1 and consider your education finished when there is nothing more for you to learn4 ,it is not necessary that study should be confined to books4 ,accustom yourself to study actions and their influences and effects4 ,public lectures1 conversations1 in short1 every event of your life1 will present questions1 and your own mind1 with a little reflection1 will present the answers4 ,if it does not1 do not let the fear of ridicule prevent your asking4 ,but it is through books1 chiefly1 that we are to look for improvement4 ,every person should appropriate some part of each day to reading4 ,young persons should early be taught the advantages of a method for appropriating their time4 ,let each duty have its time4 ,in this way much time is saved4 ,let the time you appropriate to reading be one that will be the least liable to interruption4 ,defer it not1 if it can be avoided1 till late in the evening1 when you are wearied with the fatigues of the day4 ,at the present day1 when books are so easily obtained1 there is no need of the excuse of inability to procure them4 ,circulating libraries are easy of access1--though caution should be used in selecting from them1--and each ,sabbath school has a library open for all4 ,there has been much said1 and much written about books of fiction1 whether they may be read with safety by the young4 ,fiction as such need not be condemned1 though works of fiction should be sparingly read4 ,but if read at all1 let them be selected by persons of experience4 ,there is much in the current fiction of the day that is pernicious and unfit for publication4 ,but if we set aside the light reading1 there are standard works enough to furnish reading for one generation4 ,the better newspapers of the day should be carefully read4 ,the newspapers of this week are the history of the world for this week4 ,in each particular branch of literature there are books without number1 not only worthy of perusal1 but deserving of careful study4 ,in history we have ,rollin1 ,hume1 ,smollet1 ,prescott1 ,macaulay1 and ,robertson4 ,philosophy1 theology1 and science1 each in its turn1 brings names as illustrious4 ,but there is one book above all others4 ,never complain for want of reading while we have such historians as ,moses1 poets before whom ,shakspeare dwindles into insignificance1 philosophers of a higher and holier school1 and truths that exceed the most astonishing fictions4 ,where has ,scott a heroine that can compare with ,ruth8 ,grand as are the beauties of the ,bible1 life-giving as is its wisdom1 and imperishable as are its truths1 it is too frequently left unread4 ,as a general thing1 too much is read2 more than can be well retained4 ,one page well read is more beneficial than a whole volume merely glanced over4 ,never read the second line until the first is fully understood4 ,make the author's sentiments your own4 ,in reading history it is highly important you should have a clear idea of the locality where the events occurred4 ,i have found by experience that the best method deeply to impress what ,i have read1 is to have at hand writing materials1 and after each reading write out as fully as possible whatever new idea has been presented4 ,but in all that you read1 keep in view the great object of your reading1--,self ,improvement4 ,a ,,sabbath ,,school ,,excursion4 ,the morning breaks4 ,a hundred voices rise1 ,in shouts of gladness echoing to the skies4 ,the happy time draws near1 the day is fair1 ,to festive scenes and rural joys repair4 ,bright expectation gleams from every face1 ,and lighter footsteps bend with eager pace2 ,children and parents1 pastor1 people1 all ,with one accord obey the welcome call2 ,and hand in hand1 along the path they wind1 ,as heart responds to heart a greeting kind1 ,to hold in verdant temples high and broad1 ,commune with ,nature and with ,nature's ,god4 ,far from the city's worn and narrow streets1 ,to sunny slopes embowered by ,nature's sweets1 ,how blest the change2 to breathe the scented air1 ,steals for the moment every sense of care1 ,its healing powers to all new life impart1 ,expand the mind and elevate the heart4 ,but now arrived at the appointed place1-- ,a rural spot adorned with every grace1 ,which ,nature from her bounties could bestow1 ,to make the world a paradise below1-- ,our party pause a moment to reflect2 ,then towards a path their several steps direct1 ,which leads the way to some sequestered seat1 ,secured by foliage from the noonday heat2 ,or to the various sports their tastes incline1 ,where art and nature1 toil and skill combine ,to give to all a welcome warm and kind1 ,that every weary heart sweet rest may find4 ,here a few friends in social cheer are met1 ,discoursing topics which such scenes beget2 ,and there a crowd1 intent on sports more gay1 ,in lively measure tread the hours away4 ,some roam in groups through fields and meadows green1 ,and laden with the fragrant spoils are seen1 ,bedecked with crowns from ,flora's own fair hand1 ,a radiant company from ,fairy-land4 ,apart from this another group behold1 ,a burden sweet their little arms unfold-- ,lilies1 fit emblem1 when by childhood twined1 ,of purity and innocence combined4 ,but hark6 what sound is pealing through the air8 ,a summons from their sports to join in prayer2 ,come one and all1 your voices mingle here1 ,to bless ,his presence who is ever near4 ,from east and west they come1 from south and north1 ,from every path and thicket issuing forth1 ,till all together seated once again1 ,the songs of worship and of praise begin4 ,up to the throne of ,heaven their prayers ascend1 ,together rich and poor their voices blend2 ,while with their songs unite the feathered choir1 ,with gratitude each spirit to inspire1 ,till hill and valley echo all around1 ,and ,god's first temples with ,his praise resound4 ,and look6 for now again the scene is changed2 ,a group before that rustic altar ranged1 ,with bended knee the throne of grace implore1 ,on infant heads its showers of love to pour2 ,that infant tongues may lisp the praise of ,god1 ,to guide their feet in paths by ,jesus trod4 ,sure1 angels hallow scenes like this below1 ,and holy spirits at that altar bow1 ,like winged messengers from ,heaven1 to bear ,these offerings1 and ever guard them there1 ,that every bud of promise reared below1 ,may bloom in ,heaven1 and to perfection grow4 ,but fast in scenes like this the day is spent2 ,again toward home their weary steps are bent4 ,weary with pleasure1 they reluctant go1 ,once more the toils and cares of earth to know3 ,but purified1 and strengthened for the strife ,of labor1 and the busy scenes of life2 ,while the remembrance of those happy hours ,shall deck the barren path of toil with flowers2 ,and praying each that as the years roll on1 ,laden with pleasures soon forever gone1 ,each year shall bring but added virtues forth1 ,and leave behind the impress of their worth2 ,till every heart to innocence be tuned1 ,nor sinful pleasures ever dare intrude1 ,to mar the image ,god has made and blest1 ,with means of pleasure1 happiness and rest2 ,that all may find1 in holy joys and pure1 ,relief from care1 for every sorrow cure2 ,and live to be in holy pleasures blest1 ,till earthly toil is changed for heavenly rest4 ,,christ ,,and ,,duty4 ,it is profitable for us to meditate on such a character as ,christ's1 if by dwelling upon it we become even in one respect like him4 ,the more we know of him1 the more we shall love him2 for his character is love4 ,we should imitate the example of ,mary1 who was first at the door of the sepulchre where ,jesus was laid4 ,she had great love for him1 and her faith in him was as strong as her love4 ,she was not a stranger to the miracles which he performed while here on earth4 ,she had seen him1 and she knew that in him perfection dwelt4 ,so we should try to be first in doing any act of kindness or benevolence1 not in a spirit of unholy emulation1 but from a love of doing good4 ,by cultivating this spirit we shall be happy in life1 and prepared for death4 ,we shall be far happier than those who seek worldly honors2 and more than all1 we shall leave a name behind us more precious than fame or wealth can bestow4 ,when ,i was young as are many of you to whom ,i am now speaking1 ,i had not the privilege of worshipping ,god as we now do4 ,i was taught that a greater part of the human family will be destroyed1 and will have no part in the heavenly kingdom4 ,but thanks be to ,god that he has now opened the eyes of many to see him a ,father to the fatherless1 and a sure help in time of need4 ,when such thoughts take possession of the heart1 we view him in his true character4 ,in order to serve him as we ought1 we should commence in youth4 ,christ said1 they that seek me early shall find me4 ,the whole life is short1 if happily spent in his service4 ,we have every encouragement to trust wholly in his kind care and keeping1 for his watchful eye is ever over us4 ,if you seek ,christ in youth1 nothing will be lost1 but much will be gained4 ,when ,i look back upon the early days of my life1 ,i regard them as lost to the true service of ,christ4 ,it was impressed upon my young mind1 that ,god was filled with anger and wrath2 and still ,i was told that ,i must love him with my whole heart4 ,i am sorry to say it1 but ,i fear ,i had no true love for him at that time4 ,if the path in which ,i have walked has been desolate and dreary1 ,i do not desire that others should walk in it4 ,if ,god is seen in his true loveliness1 the young1 as well as the old1 will love his holy name4 ,in this regard1 ,i think much good can be done in the ,sabbath school1 and many profitable and lasting impressions may be made upon the young mind4 ,i cannot think we meet together every ,sabbath in vain4 ,the blessing of ,god will surely rest upon us1 and we shall be profited by our assemblings4 ,we must not be forgetful of ,god1 for he is not forgetful of us4 ,when we lie down on our pillow at night1 we ought not to close our eyes to sleep without thanking him for his kind care of us through the day2 and in the morning we should thank him for his watchful care through the night4 ,in time of sorrow and trouble we at once fly to him4 ,this is right2 but still it is our duty and privilege to call on him in time of prosperity as well as in time of adversity1 never forgetting to seek his divine blessing4 ,without this we cannot enjoy life1 or be prepared for death4 ,and when the days on earth are all passed1 and we are called to lay ourselves on the bed of death1 if we can but look back upon a life well spent1 it will smooth the pillow of pain1 and make even death itself sweet4 ,salvation is the right direction of all one's powers and activities4 ,hope is the sunshine of the soul4