,illustration3 ,,book ,,cover4 ,illustration3 ,,mother ,,birds4 ,,cousin ,,hatty',s ,,hymns ,,and ,,twilight ,,stories4 ,illustration ,,boston3 #ahea4 ,,preface4 ,most of the simple verses which compose this volume were written for a very dear child1 with no thought beyond her gratification4 ,they are published at the request of friends1 with the hope that other children may derive the same pleasure from them as the little one for whom they were first intended4 ,boston1 ,dec4 #d1 #ahej4 ,,contents4 #a4 ,,the ,,first ,,hymn #b4 ,,morning ,,hymn #c4 ,,evening ,,hymn #d4 ,,cross ,,looks #e4 ,,selfishness #f4 ,,the ,,cat #g4 ,,study ,,first #h4 ,,the ,,baby #i4 ,i ,,am ,,happy ,,when ,i ,,do ,,right #aj4 ,,the ,,beggar ,,girl #aa4 ,,the ,,girl ,,who ,,would ,,not ,,be ,,washed #ab4 ,,the ,,spider #ac4 ,,morning ,,hymn #ad4 ,,evening ,,hymn #ae4 ,,the ,,launch #af4 ,,sunday #ag4 ,,the ,,meddlesome ,,child #ah4 ,,god ,,sees ,,me ,,always #ai4 ,,the ,,ark ,,and ,,the ,,dove #bj4 ,,the ,,bee #ba4 ,,sunday #bb4 ,,the ,,pleasant ,,world #bc4 ,,samuel #bd4 ,,the ,,bird',s ,,nest #be4 ,,god ,,loves ,,us #bf4 ,,moses #bg4 ,,anger #bh4 ,,what ,,the ,,birds ,,say #bi4 ,,the ,,monkey #cj4 ,,the ,,sheep ,,in ,,heaven #ca4 ,,twilight #cb4 ,,the ,,wrong ,,story #cc4 ,,the ,,ballad #cd4 ,,the ,,child',s ,,question #ce4 ,,sunday ,,night #cf4 ,,hagar ,,and ,,ishmael #cg4 ,,evening ,,hymn #ch4 ,,the ,,first ,,violet #ci4 ,,christmas #dj4 ,,new ,,year #da4 ,,evening ,,hymn #db4 ,,soap-,,bubbles #dc4 ,,spring #dd4 ,,summer #de4 ,,autumn #df4 ,,winter #dg4 ,,give ,,us ,,this ,,day ,,our ,,daily ,,bread #dh4 ,,willie ,,in ,,heaven #di4 ,,the ,,angels #ej4 ,,the ,,childhood ,,of ,,jesus #ea4 ,,the ,,fishers #eb4 ,,the ,,rainbow #ec4 ,,song ,,for ,,may ,,morning #ed4 ,,the ,,child ,,and ,,the ,,flower-,,elf #ee4 ,,the ,,four ,,gifts #ef4 ,,the ,,two ,,lullabies ,,the ,,first ,,hymn4 ,illustration ,god made the bright1 round sun2 ,he made the pretty flowers2 ,the little birds1 the trees1 the clouds ,the rain that falls in showers4 ,he made papa1 mamma1 ,and baby brother1 too2 ,and mother says ,he looks from ,heaven1 ,and sees each thing ,i do4 ,then ,i must try to be ,pleasant1 and sweet1 and mild2 ,for the good ,god who made me loves ,a kind1 obedient child4 ,illustration ,,morning ,,hymn4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,n4 ,now again the yellow sun ,shines upon my window-pane2 ,now anothor day's begun1 ,i can laugh and play again4 ,i must try to-day to be ,kind in all ,i say and do2 ,then will ,god be pleased with me1 ,and mamma will love me too4 ,for she says that ,god above ,loves to see a little child ,sweet and gentle as the dove1 ,like the pretty lamb so mild4 ,,evening ,,hymn4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,n4 ,now the sun hath gone to rest1 ,stars are coming faint and dim1 ,and the bird within his nest ,sweetly sings his evening hymn4 ,have ,i tried mamma to mind8 ,was ,i gentle in my play8 ,have ,i been a true and kind1 ,pleasant little girl to-day8 ,then will ,god take care of me ,kindly1 through the long dark night2 ,bright and happy1 ,i shall see ,once again the morning light4 ,,cross ,,looks4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,w4 ,why1 what a frightful face is this6 ,and what has happened1 sir1 amiss8 ,come1 let me wipe these tears away1 ,and see no more cross looks to-day4 ,if ,kate did throw your blocks about1 ,she's very sorry1 ,i've no doubt2 ,and here she stands to tell you so1 ,and build another house1 ,i know4 ,no tears and crying here must be1 ,so have a pleasant smile for me4 ,there1 that will do1--now run away1 ,and kindly with your sister play4 ,i ,,must ,,not ,,be ,,selfish4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,letter ,w4 ,when ,i play with little children ,i must very gentle be2 ,i must always do to others ,as ,i'd have them do to me4 ,i must like to give and lend them1 ,if they want my prettiest toy2 ,more than my delight and pleasure ,i must love my playmate's joy4 ,children who are kind and loving ,god above is pleased to see2 ,let me ever this remember1 ,ever sweet and pleasant be4 ,illustration ,,the ,,cat4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,letter ,s4 ,stop1 naughty pussy6 that's not fair6 ,jump down this minute from the chair6 ,you've eaten my nice slice of bread4 ,and here are only crumbs instead4 ,i for a minute left the room ,to listen to the ,buy a broom1 ,and now ,i think it's quite too bad ,that you my luncheon should have had4 ,illustration ,her mother said1 ,my dear1 if you ,had done what you were told to do1 ,and put the plate upon the shelf1 ,you might have had the bread yourself4 ,but if you have no thought nor care1 ,and leave your luncheon on a chair1 ,you must not blame poor pussy-cat2 ,she knows no better1 dear1 than that4 ,the one who left her bread about ,upon the chair1 while she went out1-- ,the one who hangs her head for shame1-- ,my little girl's the one to blame6 ,illustration ,,study ,,first4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,n4 ,no1 ,robbie6 you can go away2 ,i am not ready yet to play2 ,for ,i must learn these words to spell1 ,that ,i may say my lesson well4 ,how sad our dear mamma would look1 ,to find that ,i had left my book6 ,and if ,i disobeyed her so1 ,my play would not be gay1 ,i know4 ,i'll learn my lesson very soon1 ,and then ,i'll run with you till noon2 ,so1 ,robbie1 you can go away1 ,and presently ,i'll come and play4 ,,the ,,baby4 ,illustration ,we've the dearest baby sister6 ,and so small and sweet is she1 ,that we love to stand beside her1 ,all her cunning ways to see4 ,she can talk in baby language1 ,she can laugh1 and she can crow2 ,she's the pet and she's the darling1 ,she's the sweetest one we know4 ,mother says that she will always ,be a sweet and gentle child1 ,if1 in all our actions towards her1 ,we are loving1 good1 and mild4 ,let us1 then1 be kind and pleasant ,ever to our little pet2 ,nor to thank the ,god who gave her1 ,morn and night1 let us forget4 ,illustration ,i ,,am ,,happy ,,when ,i ,,do ,,right4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,letter ,h4 ,how glad it makes me feel at night1 ,when sitting on my mother's knee1 ,to hear her whisper ,you've done right1 ,and tried my gentle child to be4 ,but then ,i feel ashamed and sad ,if ,i've been cross and disobeyed1 ,or if my selfish way ,i've had ,when ,i with other children played4 ,so if at night ,i'd call to mind ,a day of undisturbed delight1 ,the only way that ,i can find ,is to be loving and do right4 ,illustration ,,the ,,little ,,beggar-,,girl4 ,illustration3 ,signed ,,howlands4 ,i've just looked from the window ,to see the snow come down1 ,and make the streets look nice and white1 ,that lately were so brown4 ,i've seen a little beggar-girl ,go by in all the cold2 ,she had no shoes nor stockings on1 ,her dress was torn and old4 ,how thankful ,i should be to ,god1 ,who gives me clothes and food1 ,a nice warm fire1 a pleasant home1 ,and parents kind and good6 ,mamma1 ,i'll always try to help ,the hungry and the poor2 ,for those who are not warmed and fed1 ,i pity1 ,i am sure4 ,,the ,,child ,,who ,,would ,,not ,,be ,,washed ,illustration3 ,letter ,d4 ,don't wash me1 pray1 mamma1 today1 ,i once heard little ,jennie say1 ,for oh6 so very hard you rub1 ,i never want to see my tub4 ,o1 very well1 her mother said2 ,i'll put you back again to bed2 ,and you must in your night-gown stay1 ,nor come down stairs at all to-day4 ,and then ,i heard ,miss ,jennie cry1 ,and beg mamma to let her try2 ,and say1 as she had done before1 ,that she'd so naughty be no more4 ,her mother turned and left her there2 ,she heard her step upon the stair2 ,but in her chamber1 all day long1 ,she staid alone1 for doing wrong4 ,she heard her sister jump and run1 ,and longed to join her in her fun2 ,her brother made a snow-man high2 ,but she upon her bed must lie4 ,she heard the merry sleigh-bells ring1 ,and to the door come clattering2 ,but ,jennie could not go to ride ,in night-clothes by her father's side4 ,and glad was she1 as you may guess1 ,the next day to put on her dress2 ,she ran and told her mother then ,she never would do so again4 ,,the ,,spider4 ,illustration ,don't kill the spider1 little ,fred1 ,but come and stand by me1 ,and watch him spin that slender thread1 ,which we can hardly see4 ,how patiently1 now up1 now down1 ,he brings that tiny line6 ,he never stops1 but works right on1 ,and weaves his web so fine4 ,you could not make a thread so small1 ,if you should try all day2 ,so never hurt him1 dear1 at all1 ,but spare him in your play4 ,illustration ,,morning ,,hymn4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,n4 ,now a new day just begun1 ,i'll try to spend it well2 ,that ,i may have1 when eveningcomes1 ,no naughty deeds to tell4 ,so through my life may every day ,be better than the past2 ,that ,god may take me1 when ,i die1 ,to live in heaven at last4 ,,evening ,,hymn4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,the sun has set behind the hill1 ,the bird is sleeping in his nest2 ,and now1 when all around is still1 ,i lay me down to welcome rest4 ,may the kind ,god1 who lives above1 ,and watches o'er us day and night1 ,bless us1 and grant us1 in ,his love1 ,again to see the morning light4 ,,the ,,launch4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,letter ,c4 ,come1 sister ,ellen1 get your hat ,and come away with me2 ,my boat1 all rigged with mast and sail1 ,i want you so to see6 ,do you upon the landing stand1 ,while here ,i'll kneel and blow1 ,so that the little ,water-witch ,beneath the arch may go4 ,there6 there6 she's off6 how fast she goes ,across the river wide6 ,i'd love to sit in her myself1 ,and o'er the water glide4 ,when ,i'm a man ,i'll have a boat1 ,and every sunny day1 ,we'll take a long and pleasant sail1 ,till daylight fades away4 ,illustration3 ,,hope4 ,,sunday4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,g4 ,god made the day of rest1 ,the holy ,sabbath day1 ,for us to think and talk of ,him1 ,and not for work or play4 ,i'll put away my toys ,safely1 the night before2 ,and ,sundays ,i'll be very still1 ,till ,monday comes once more4 ,and then mamma will say1 ,that1 though ,i am so small1 ,i yet can please the great1 good ,god1 ,who takes care of us all4 ,i love these ,sabbath days1 ,which ,god to us doth give2 ,and may ,i love them more and more1 ,each day and year ,i live6 ,,the ,,meddlesome ,,child4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,l4 ,little ,lucy was left in the room once alone1 ,where the table was set out for tea2 ,she looked all around1 and she thought to herself ,that no one was there who could see4 ,then she climbed on a chair and took off the top ,of the sugar-bowl1 shining and bright2 ,and there were the lumps of the sugar she loved1 ,all looking so nice and so white6 ,then she said to herself1 ,mamma never will know1 ,if ,i take away only just one2 ,so she took it1 and ate it2--it tasted so good1 ,she thought1 ,but one more1 and ,i've done4 ,but while she was reaching her hand out for more1 ,the chair slipped away from her feet2 ,and poor little ,lucy soon wished much that she ,had not taken the sugar so sweet3 ,for her head struck the floor1 and made such a noise1 ,that every one hastened to see2 ,and all of them knew1 by the sugar she held1 ,how naughty ,miss ,lucy could be6 ,and no one was sorry1 although her poor head ,ached sadly because of her fall2 ,for little girls never--so every one said-- ,should taste or should meddle at all4 ,,god ,,sees ,,me ,,always4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,g4 ,god sees me always4 ,when ,i sleep1 ,he kindly watches near2 ,he loves the little child to keep1 ,who tries to please ,him here4 ,when ,i'm alone ,he sees me too1 ,though no one else is by2 ,and every naughty thing ,i do1 ,he sees it from on high4 ,he sees me1 too1 when ,i am rude1 ,and cry1 and fret1 and tease2 ,he loves to see me when ,i'm good ,and try mamma to please4 ,then1 since ,he sees me day and night1 ,and is so kind to me1 ,i must do always what is right1 ,his gentle child must be4 ,illustration ,,the ,,ark ,,and ,,the ,,dove4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,a4 ,a rain once fell upon the earth ,for many a day and night1 ,and hid the flowers1 the grass1 the trees1 ,the birds and beasts1 from sight4 ,the deep waves covered all the land1 ,and mountain-tops so high2 ,and nothing could be seen around1 ,but water1 and the sky4 ,but yet there was one moving thing1-- ,a still and lonely ark1-- ,that1 many a weary day and night1 ,sailed o'er that ocean dark4 ,at last1 a little dove was forth ,from that lone vessel sent2 ,but1 wearied1 to the ark again1 ,when evening came1 she bent4 ,again she went1 but soon returned1 ,and in her beak was seen ,a little twig--an olive-branch-- ,with leaves of shining green4 ,the waters sank1 and then the dove ,flew from the ark once more1 ,and came not back1 but lived among ,the tree-tops1 as before4 ,then from the ark they all came forth1 ,with songs of joy and praise2 ,and once again the green earth smiled ,beneath the sun's warm rays4 ,,the ,,bee4 ,illustration ,now1 ,ellen1 stop screaming and running away1 ,and come here and listen to me2 ,is it true1 my dear daughter1 ,i want you to say1 ,that you're foolishly scared by a bee8 ,the bee is as frightened as you are1 my dear1 ,for he can't tell the way to get out2 ,and as for his sting1 that you never need fear1 ,if you do not run crying about4 ,if you were to catch him1 why1 then1 ,i dare say ,you'd soon feel his sharp little sting2 ,but if you sit still at your work or your play1 ,be sure that no harm he will bring4 ,so wipe off these tears and never again ,give way to so foolish a fright2 ,for if you indulge it 't will cost you much pain ,and no one will want you in sight4 ,illustration ,,sunday4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ',t is ,sunday morning1 dear mamma6 ,i do not wish to play2 ,last night ,i put my dolls and toys ,safe in my box away4 ,i'll come and sit down by your side1 ,while you the story tell ,of the good little ,joseph1 whom ,his father loved so well4 ,and of the time when waters dark ,covered the world around2 ,and all but ,noah in his ark1 ,beneath the waves were drowned4 ,and of the gentle dove1 that forth ,o'er those wide waters flew1 ,and twice1 with weary wing1 returned1 ,no resting-place in view4 ,and how the infant ,moses1 too1 ,floated the ,nile along2 ,and how his mother made for him ,the basket cradle strong4 ,please tell these ,bible-stories then1 ,and take me on your knee1 ,and ,i'll sit still1 my dear mamma1 ,and listen quietly4 ,illustration ,,the ,,pleasant ,,world4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,i4 ,i love to see the sun go down ,behind the western hill2 ,i love to see the night come on1 ,when everything is still4 ,i love to see the moon and stars ,shine brightly in the sky2 ,i love to see the rolling clouds ,above my head so high4 ,i love to see the little flowers ,that grow up from the ground2 ,to hear the wind blow through the trees1 ,and make a rustling sound4 ,i love to see the sheep and lambs ,so happy in their play2 ,i love to hear the small birds sing ,sweetly1 at close of day4 ,i love to see them all1 because ,they are so bright and fair2 ,and ,he who made this pleasant world ,will listen to my prayer4 ,illustration ,,samuel4 ,illustration3 ,i4 ,in ,bible times so long ago1 ,and in a far-off city1 too1 ,a mother watched her only child ,as he in strength and beauty grew4 ,and when his little tottering feet ,had scarcely learned to go alone1-- ,before his baby voice could speak ,her name1 with a sweet1 joyous tone1-- ,she took her boy and travelled on1 ,away from home1 for many a mile1 ,that with a good and holy man ,her darling son might live a while2 ,that he might learn about the ,god ,who made the earth and sea and sky2 ,and then she left him there and turned ,back to her home1 with many a sigh4 ,she could not place him on her knee ,and tell him he was very dear2 ,and so she made a little coat ,and brought it to him every year4 ,but you1 my little girl1 can learn1 ,while you are sitting close by me1 ,of heaven1 and that kind ,god above1 ,who made in love each thing we see4 ,and you should thank ,him every day1 ,that you can here ,his goodness know2 ,and from your pleasant1 happy home1 ,and your dear parents1 need not go4 ,,the ,,bird',s ,,nest4 ,illustration ,what is ,harry thinking of1 ,sitting on that mossy stone8 ,all his brothers are at play2 ,why is he so still and lone8 ,he is musing earnestly2 ,and the flutterings of the bird ,and its pleading1 feeble chirp ,fall upon his ear unheard4 ,well may little ,harry think6 ,from the pear-tree's withered bough ,he has brought the pretty nest1 ,placed within his hat-crown now4 ,that is why he sits alone2 ,and he hears a voice within1 ,louder than the ,robin's note1 ,crying1 ,harry1 this is sin6 ,then put back the nest1 my boy1 ,so you will be glad and free1 ,nor will hasten by in shame1 ,when you pass that withered tree4 ,,god ,,loves ,,us4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,h4 ,how beautiful it is1 mamma1 ,that ,god should love us all2 ,that ,he should listen to their prayer1 ,when little children call6 ,what shall ,i do for him1 mamma8 ,for ,he's so kind to me1-- ,how shall ,i show my love to ,him ,who made bird1 flower and tree8 ,the only thing which you can do ,is this1 my darling child1 ,be always gentle1 full of love1 ,in words and actions mild4 ,thus you will show your love to ,god ,who is so kind to you2 ,and you will live with ,him at last ,in ,his bright heaven1 too4 ,illustration ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,moses4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,tell me a ,sunday story1 ,a dear child said to me2 ,and ,i bent down and kissed her ,and placed her on my knee4 ,once1 long ago1 in countries ,far1 very far away1 ,where the cold snow-storm never comes1 ,and all is bright and gay1 ,there lived a king1 so cruel1 ,he gave this stern command1 ,that all the little children ,must die1 throughout the land4 ,but still there was one mother ,who kept her baby dear1 ,and quickly hushed its crying1 ,in silence and in fear2 ,but when she could no longer ,her precious baby hide1 ,she did not like to throw him ,upon the rushing tide2 ,and so a little basket ,she made1 of rushes stout1 ,and plastered it with clay and pitch ,to keep the water out4 ,then in this basket-cradle ,she put the little child2 ,and quietly he floated down ,among the rushes wild4 ,just then the king's own daughter ,came to the water's edge1 ,and saw the basket floating ,among the grass and sedge4 ,she drew it from the water1 ,and called the babe her own1 ,and kept him till to be a man ,that little boy had grown4 ,and when you read the ,bible1-- ,which you will learn to do1-- ,you'll see how great and good he was1 ,and how ,god loved him1 too4 ,illustration ,,anger4 ,illustration3 ,w4 ,when a child is cross and angry1 ,never must her voice be heard2 ,only to herself most softly ,may she say this simple word1 ,lead us not into temptation2 ,that will angry thoughts remove1 ,make her calm and still and gentle1 ,with a spirit full of love4 ,,what ,,the ,,birds ,,say4 ,illustration ,i hear the birds sing1 mother1 ,yet know not what they say2 ,i've listened to them often ,until they flew away4 ,say if their words1 dear mother1 ,to you are clear and plain1 ,or if1 like me1 you've listened ,at morn and night in vain4 ,we don't know what they say1 dear2 ,we think they sing their hymn ,at early morning sunrise1 ,or at the twilight dim4 ,when softly sings the mother1 ,within her downy nest1 ,we think she's gently hushing ,her little ones to rest4 ,but this remember1 darling1 ,the birds are always kind2 ,a cross or angry songster ,i never yet could find4 ,and you may learn a lesson ,from their sweet notes of love2 ,like them be always gentle1 ,and please the ,god above4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,the ,,monkey4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,o4 ,o ,mother6 here's the organ-man1 ,and here's the monkey1 too6 ,just see his funny gown of red1 ,and little cap of blue6 ,o look6 he's on the window there6 ,his cap is in his paw2 ,and now he bows and makes a face2 ,what can it all be for8 ,o1 now they've dropped some money in1 ,while1 quickly as he can1 ,see6 he puts on his cap1 and gives ,the pennies to the man4 ,mamma6 why don't you look at him6 ,you have not seen at all2 ,just see him climbing up and down1 ,with paws so brown and small6 ,he's gone away6 ,o1 dear mamma1 ,why did you not come here8 ,you never saw1 in all your life1 ,a thing one half as queer4 ,i'll tell you why1 my little son1 ,i do not like to see ,that monkey bow and jump about2 ',tis no delight to me4 ,they've had to treat him cruelly ,to teach him how to play2 ,they've had to whip and punish him ,and take his food away4 ,and that is why ,i do not love ,to see him dancing so2 ,and if you thought of it1 my boy1 ,you'd feel with me1 ,i know4 ,,the ,,sheep ,,in ,,heaven4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,c4 ,come to the window1 mother6 ,look out1 and you will see ,how fast these little clouds sail on1 ,above our old elm tree6 ,and tell me1 dearest mother1 ,are these the sheep of heaven1 ,that in that land are feeding1 ,from morning until even8 ,how soft and white and shining6 ,oh6 say1 dear mother1 there ,is everything so gentle1 ,so lovely and so fair8 ,we cannot see them1 darling1 ,the sheep of heaven1 here2 ,and far more beautiful than this ,does that bright land appear4 ,eye hath not seen1 ear hath not heard1 ,nor tongue of man can tell ,the glories of that home above1 ,where all the good shall dwell4 ,illustration ,,twilight4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,the happiest hour of all the day ,to me1 is always last2 ,when both my studies and my play1 ,my walks and work1 are past4 ,when round the bright warm fire we come1 ,with hearts so light and free1 ,and all within our happy home ,are talking quietly1 ,then1 by my dear1 kind father's side ,i sit1 or on his knee1 ,and then ,i tell him ,i have tried ,his gentle girl to be4 ,and then he says the little child ,is loved by every one1 ,who has a temper sweet and mild ,and smiling as the sun4 ,let me do always as ,i should1 ,nor vex my father dear2 ,and let me be as glad and good ,as he would have me here4 ,illustration ,,the ,,wrong ,,story4 ,illustration ,my little ,edward1 how could you ,tell me a thing that was not true8 ,and make me feel thus grieved and sad ,to find ,i have a child so bad8 ,and then1 to do a deed so mean1 ,and wish by that yourself to screen6 ,would you have had me blame poor ,tray1 ,and send him from the fire away8 ,o6 never1 when you've disobeyed1 ,or by your mischief trouble made1 ,think that a wicked act is right ,because you hide it from my sight4 ,it will be always seen by ,one1 ,who knows each wrong that you have done2 ,and ,i shall know it too1 no doubt1 ,for sin must always find you out4 ,i cannot let you here to-day ,with me and little sisters stay2 ,but you must go up stairs alone1 ,till you a better boy have grown4 ,illustration ,,the ,,ballad4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,c4 ,come hither1 little brothers1 ,and listen now to me1 ,and ,i will read a story ,to both1 while at my knee4 ,then ,johnnie's flag hung idly1 ,and ,charlie hushed his drum2 ,to hear sweet ,mary's story ,the mimic soldiers come4 ',tis of a boy no larger1 ,my little ,charles1 than you2 ,but he had been in battle1 ,and all its terrors knew4 ,his father was a captain2 ,he had no child beside2 ,and while he was an infant ,his mother dear had died4 ,and so from camp to battle1 ,from fight to camp again1 ,had lived1 this little hero1 ,on many a bloody plain4 ,one day1 when shouts were loudest ,upon the reddened field1-- ,when came the victor's war-cry1 ',see6 see6 they fly6 they yield6'-- ,forth then1 to seek his father1 ,he went with eager joy2 ,but with a chance ball wounded1 ,low lay the fearless boy6 ,the son of a brave chieftain1 ,he made no sigh or groan2 ,his father's hand yet tighter ,he clasped within his own6 ,and so1 when strife was ended1 ,no more to be begun1 ,in conquest's very moment ,thus fell the chieftain's son4 ,then ,john took out his feather1 ,and put his flag away2 ,and ,charlie's drum was silent ,until another day4 ,illustration ,,the ,,child',s ,,question4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,w4 ,what are the flowers for1 mamma1 ,that spring up fresh and bright1 ,and grow on every hill and plain1 ,where'er ,i turn my sight8 ,how do the flowers grow1 mamma8 ,i've pulled the leaves away1 ,and tried to see them blossom out1 ,on many a summer's day4 ,the flowers were made1 my little child1 ,that when our footsteps trod ,upon the green and pleasant fields1 ,we then might think of ,god4 ,we may not see how they do grow1 ,and bloom in beauty fair2 ,we cannot tell how they can spread ,their small leaves to the air3 ,but yet we know that ,god's kind hand ,creates these little flowers1 ,and makes the warm sun shine on them1 ,and waters them with showers4 ,and so we love to think that ,he1 ,who paints their sweet leaves thus1 ,who sends the sunshine and the rain1 ,has thought and care for us4 ,,sunday ,,night4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,the holy ,sabbath day has fled2 ,and has it been well spent8 ,have ,i remembered what was said1 ,and why the day was sent8 ,may ,i be better all the week1 ,for what to-day has taught2 ,may ,i ,god's love and favor seek1 ,and do the things ,i ought6 ,,hagar ,,and ,,ishmael4 ,illustration3 ,t4 ',twas morning1 and the pleasant light ,shone on the hills1 the trees1 the flowers1 ,and made a far-off country bright1 ,a lovely land1 but not like ours4 ,a mother led her little child ,forth from his father's door away2 ,and with the flowers he played1 and smiled ,as beautiful and bright as they4 ,but when1 at noon1 the warm sun beat ,upon the sweet boy's forehead fair1 ,tired and thirsty from the heat1 ,he asked in vain for water there4 ,the bottle1 filled with water clear ,at early day1 was empty now2 ,the mother laid her child so dear ,beneath an old tree's spreading bough4 ,she turned away1 and heard the sound ,of water1 gushing like the rain2 ,she raised her boy from off the ground1 ,he drank1 and played and smiled again4 ,they travelled on for many a day1 ,the mother and her little child2 ,and found a home1 far1 far away1 ,at last1 among the deserts wild4 ,illustration ,,evening ,,hymn4 ,illustration ,the bird within its nest ,has sung its evening hymn1 ,and ,i must go to quiet rest1 ,as the bright west grows dim4 ,i see the twinkling star1 ,that1 when the sun has gone1 ,is shining out the first afar1 ,to tell us day is done4 ,if on this day ,i've been ,a selfish1 naughty child1 ,may ,god forgive the wrong ,i've done1 ,and make me kind and mild4 ,may he still bless and keep ,my father1 mother dear2 ,and may the eye that cannot sleep ,watch o'er our pillows here1 ,and guard us from all ill1 ,through this long1 silent night1 ,and bring us1 by ,his holy will1 ,to see the morning light4 ,,the ,,first ,,violet4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,s4 ,spring has come1 dear mother6 ,i've a violet found1 ,growing in its beauty ,from the cold1 dark ground4 ,you are sad1 dear mother1 ,tears are in your eye2 ,you're not glad to see it2 ,mother1 tell me why8 ,i remember4--,last year1 ,where our ,willie lies1 ,grew the earliest violet1 ,blue as were his eyes4 ,then you told me1 mother1 ,that the flowers would fade1 ,and their withered blossoms ,on the earth be laid4 ,but you said1 as springtime ,would their buds restore1 ,willie would in heaven ,be forevermore4 ,weep no more1 dear mother6 ,violets are in bloom2 ,and your darling ,willie ,lives beyond the tomb4 ,illustration ,,christmas4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,l4 ,little children1 when rejoicing ,in the merry ,christmas morn1 ',mid your sports remember ever ',tis the day that ,christ was born4 ,when on earth1 the blessed ,saviour ,said1 ',let children come to me1' ,and the little ones he folded ,in his arms1 how tenderly6 ,but the ,saviour is in heaven1 ,and we cannot see him now2 ,we cannot receive his blessing1 ,in his presence cannot bow4 ,listen4 ,in the holy ,bible1 ,jesus ,christ tells every child ,that the way to gain his blessing ,is by being good and mild4 ,here on earth you may not see him2 ,but when this short life is done1 ,you shall live with him forever ,where there is no setting sun4 ,so remember1 ,christmas morning1 ,that on earth the ,saviour came2 ,and that still he guards and blesses ,every child who loves his name4 ,illustration ,,new ,,year4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,i4 ,if ,i resolve1 with the new year1 ,a better child to be1 ',twill do no good at all1 ,i fear1 ,but rather harm to me1 ,unless ,i try1 with every day1 ,no angry word to speak2 ,unless1 each morn1 to ,god ,i pray ,to keep me mild and meek4 ,then let me try with all my might1 ,and may ,god help me too1 ,always to choose the way that's right1 ,whatever act ,i do4 ,,evening ,,hymn4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,g4 ,god has kept me1 dearest mother4 ,kindly1 safely1 through the day3 ,let me thank ,him for ,his goodness1 ,ere the twilight fades away4 ,for my home and friends ,i thank ,him1 ,for my father1 mother dear2 ,for the hills1 the trees1 the flowers1 ,and the sky so bright and clear4 ,if ,i have been kind and gentle1 ,if ,i've spoken what was true1 ,or if ,i've been cross and selfish1 ,he has seen and known it1 too4 ,those ,i love ,he will watch over1 ,though they may be far away1 ,for he loves good little children1 ,and will hear the words they say4 ,illustration ,,soap-,,bubbles4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,o4 ,o ,george6 how large your bubble is6 ,its colors1 too1 how bright6 ,just like the rainbow that we saw ,on high1 the other night4 ,now throw it off1 and let it float ,like fairies in the air6 ,it's broken1 ,georgie2 never mind1 ,but blow another there4 ,their mother1 just within the door1 ,smiled at their childish play1-- ,a smile1 but yet a thoughtful one1 ,that seemed these words to say3 ,my little ,georgie1 bubbles burst1 ,and are but empty air2 ,i would that you might love the things ,that last forever fair4 ,and ever may my darling ,kate ,a trusting spirit bear1 ,and1 when one cherished hope has fled1 ,yet find another there4 ,illustration ,,spring4 ,illustration ,i am coming1 ,i am coming1 ,with my carpet soft and green2 ,i have spread it o'er the common1 ,and a prettier ne'er was seen4 ,soon ,i'll spangle it with clover1 ,and the dandelions bright2 ,you shall pick them in your aprons1 ,yellow1 red1 and snowy white4 ,i am coming1 and the tree-tops1 ,that all winter were so bare1 ,you shall see1 with small leaves covered1 ,wave their branches in the air4 ,i am coming6 ,little children1 ,can you tell me who am ,i8 ,if not1 you will soon remember1 ,for ,i'm just now passing by4 ,illustration ,,summer4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,tis ,summer1 ,i know by the blue of the sky2 ,by the trees' deeper green1 as beneath them ,i lie2 ,and more than all these1 by the lovely wild rose ,that now in the woodland its pink blossom shows4 ,now ring the sharp scythes of the mowers all day1 ,and they spread to the air the sweet-scented hay2 ,they pile up the wagon ere daylight is done1 ,and singing come home with the set of the sun4 ,i feel the warm west wind fan gently my cheek ,as ,i sit on the grass1 far too happy to speak2 ,and then in the twilight ,i see the faint spark ,of the fire-fly1 flitting alone in the dark4 ,oh6 long happy days1 when 'tis full of delight ,to roam in the meadows from morning till night6 ,oh6 summer1 sweet summer6 glide slowly away1 ,for ,i love in your warmth and your fragrance to stay4 ,illustration ,,autumn4 ,illustration ,here's the purple aster1 ,and the golden-rod1 ,and the blue fringed gentian1 ,by the meadow sod4 ,and the scarlet cardinal ,grows beside the brook1 ,and the yellow sunflower ,in some sheltered nook4 ,maple boughs are covered ,with their foliage red1 ,and the withered elm leaves ,on the ground lie dead4 ,and within the orchard1 ,heavy-laden trees ,shower down the apples1 ,with each passing breeze4 ,so by these we know thee1 ,lovely autumn time1 ,with thy deep blue heavens1 ,and thy snowy rime4 ,and we gladly greet thee1 ,with thy colors gay1 ,though thou tell'st us summer ,hence hath fled away4 ,,winter4 ,illustration ,with my breath so keen and chilling1 ,i have stripped the branches bare2 ,and my snow-flakes white are filling1 ,feather-like1 the frosty air4 ,coming o'er the lofty mountains1 ,there ,i left a robe of white2 ,i have locked the sparkling fountains1 ,i have chained the river bright4 ,o'er the quiet valley winging1 ,there ,i left my traces1 too2 ,hark6 the merry sleigh-bells ringing1 ,with their music call on you4 ,i have come6 ,the school-boy shouting1 ,joyfully brings out his sled2 ,he has seen me1 nothing doubting1 ,as across the fields he sped4 ,i have come2 but shall ,i find you ,better than the former year8 ,if you've cast your faults behind you1 ,i shall gladly greet you here4 ,illustration ,,give ,,us ,,this ,,day ,,our ,,daily ,,bread4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,g4 ,give us this day our daily bread2 ,oh6 children1 when you pray1 ,and morn and night repeat these words1 ,think what it is you say4 ,you never asked a piece of bread1 ,and had that wish denied2 ,for food to eat1 and some to spare1 ,has always been supplied4 ,but o'er the ocean1 many a cheek ,with want grows thin and pale2 ,and many suffer like the boy ,of whom ,i tell this tale4 ,he lay upon some scattered straw1-- ,his strength was almost gone1-- ,and1 in a feeble voice1 he cried1 ,give me three grains of corn6 ,three grains from out his jacket torn1 ,his trembling mother drew1 ',twas all she had--she gave them him1 ,though she was starving too6 ,be very grateful1 children1 then1 ,for all that you enjoy2 ,remembering1 as you say those words1 ,the little ,irish boy4 ,illustration ,,willie ,,in ,,heaven3 ,illustration3 ,letter ,t4 ,they tell me in a sunny land ,our ,willie is at play2 ,and with him is a happy band ,of children1 good and gay4 ,they say their shining robes of white ,are free from spot or stain2 ,that there1 where it is never night1 ,they feel no grief or pain4 ,but ,willie shunned the stranger's face1 ,when he was with us here2 ,and in that new1 though lovely place1 ,he will be sad1 ,i fear4 ,he'll miss me1--though the fields are fair1 ,his bright eyes will grow dim2 ,he has no little sister there2 ,o let me go to him6 ,our ,willie is not sad1 my child2 ,for in that heavenly home ,there dwells the blessed ,saviour mild1 ,who bids the children come4 ,he loves them with a purer love1 ,a holier1 than ours2 ,and leads them in the fields above1 ,where spring undying flowers4 ,if no ungentle words you speak1 ,no wicked actions do1 ,and if1 with every day1 you seek ,to be more kind and true1 ,then1 by our darling ,willie's side1 ,and joined in heart and hand1 ,forevermore shall you abide1 ,among the angel band4 ,,the ,,angels4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,w4 ,where are the angels1 mother8 ,though you have often said ,they watched at night around me1 ,and safely kept my bed2 ,though every night ,i listen ,their voices low to hear1 ,yet ,i have never heard them1-- ,where are they1 mother dear8 ,and when the silver moonshine ,fills all my room with light1 ,and when the stars are shining1 ,so countless and so bright4 ,i hope to see them coming1 ,with their fair forms1 to me2 ,yet ,i have never seen them1-- ,mother1 where can they be8 ,i saw a cloud1 this evening1 ,red with the setting sun2 ,it was so very lovely1 ,i thought it might be one4 ,but when it faded slowly1 ,i knew it could not be1 ,for they are always shining2 ,why come they not to me8 ,my child1 when through your window ,shines down the moonlight clear1-- ,when all is still and silent1 ,and no kind friend is near1-- ,are you not glad and happy1 ,and full of thoughts of love8 ,do you not think of heaven4 ,that brighter land above8 ,these thoughts the angels bring you2 ,and though the gentle tone ,of their sweet voices comes not ,when you are all alone2 ,yet they are always leaving1 ,for earth1 their homes on high2 ,and though you cannot see them1 ,you feel that they are nigh4 ,,the ,,childhood ,,of ,,jesus4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,o4 ,of the childhood of our ,saviour ,tells one simple verse alone2 ,yet from that his whole behavior ,when he was a child1 is known4 ,he was subject to his mother1 ,so the holy ,scriptures say2 ',tis enough1 we need no other ,record of him day by day4 ,thus we1 his obedience knowing1 ,know how gentle and how mild1-- ,how in truth and goodness growing ,was our ,saviour from a child4 ,little children1 who endeavor ,like the blessed ,one to be1 ,as you try1 remember ever ,how obedient was he4 ,if1 like ,jesus pure and holy1 ,you your parents' will obey1 ,you will grow more meek and lowly1 ,and more like him1 every day4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,the ,,fishers4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,s4 ,silence6 stir not6 for a whisper ,would affright thy pretty prey2 ,not a motion1 little lisper1 ,else the fish will glide away4 ,hush6 he's coming6 he is swimming ,slowly round and round the bait2 ,steady6 though thine eye is brimming ,full of mirth that will not wait4 ,and thy brother near thee kneeling ,fears to hear thy ringing shout2 ,gently6 near and nearer stealing ,comes the brightly spotted trout4 ,there6 thy hook has caught him surely2 ,firmly hold thy slender rod2 ,pull away6 and then securely ,place him on the grassy sod4 ,illustration ',neath the green boughs rustling o'er you1 ,fish away the livelong day2 ,and with evening's star before you1 ,wander home at twilight gray4 ,illustration ,,the ,,rainbow4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,w4 ,what is the rainbow1 mother dear1 ,with many-colored light8 ,have the clouds parted just to show ,the floor of heaven so bright8 ,or is it wings of angels pure ,that touch along the sky8 ,and do they come that we may see ,how fair is all on high8 ,or1 mother1 on that shining arch ,do spirits rise above8 ,and on that bended bow ascend ,where all is light and love8 ,how beautiful must be that road6 ,why should we call those back1 ,who travel to the better land ,on such a sunny track8 ,why did you weep when brother died8 ,did you not know that he ,on that delightful path must tread1 ,ere he in heaven could be8 ,my dearest child1 we cannot know1 ,or trace the spirit's flight1 ,for sin and sorrow draw their veil ,across our mortal sight4 ,if--as the rainbow takes its hues ,of beauty from the sun-- ,we strive to live like ,christ our ,lord1 ,the meek and holy ,one1-- ,then shall we dwell in ,heaven's clear day1 ,which knows nor night nor moon1 ,for1 ever1 from the ,father's throne ,beams high and cloudless noon4 ,illustration ,a ,,song ,,for ,,may ,,morning4 ,illustration ,awake6 awake6 the dusky night ,is fading from the sky2 ,awake6 and with the early light ,to pleasant fields we'll hie4 ,come with me1 and ,i will show ,where the fragrant wild-flowers grow2 ,we will weave a garland gay ,for our smiling ,queen of ,may4 ,the sun peeps up behind the hills1 ,and hark6 the morning song ,of little birds the fresh air fills1 ,as now we skip along4 ,by the brook-side cold and wet1 ,blooms the pale1 white violet2 ,there's the purple blossom1 too1 ,nodding with its weight of dew4 ,the gentle wind just lifts the head ,of many a columbine2 ,and1 taken from their rocky bed1 ,they in our wreaths shall twine4 ,saxifrage1 so small and sweet1 ,grows in plenty at our feet2 ,from the grass we gather up1 ,golden bright1 the buttercup4 ,now for the trailing evergreen1 ,that in the woodland springs1 ,and we will crown our ,may-day queen ,with buds this fair month brings4 ,merriest of all the year ,is the day we welcome here2 ,we will sing and dance away1 ,in our glee1 this long ,may-day4 ,illustration ,,the ,,child ,,and ,,the ,,flower-,,elf4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,i4 ,i was walking1 dearest mother1 ,this morning1 by the brook1 ,and tired at last ,i rested me ,within a shady nook4 ,there all was still and lonely1 ,and suddenly ,i heard ,a little voice1--a sweeter one ,than note of any bird4 ,i looked above1 around me1 ,i saw not whence it came2 ,and yet that tone of music ,was calling me by name4 ,the violet beside me ,bloomed with its purple cup1 ,and a tiny face1 so lovely1 ,amidst its leaves peeped up4 ,again the silver music1-- ,the voice ,i loved to hear1-- ,upon its sweet breath floated1 ,and bade me not to fear4 ',i am the elf1' it whispered1 ',who in the violet dwells1 ,and every blossom hides one ,within its fragrant cells4 ',if you will list our teaching1 ,and catch our faintest tone1 ,your heart will be as spotless1 ,as loving as our own4' ,and then1 as ,i was gazing1 ,it vanished from my sight2 ,once more the violet nodded1 ,and sought the sunshine bright4 ,my darling child1 the elfins ,that live within the flowers ,sweet sounds are ever breathing1 ,to glad this world of ours4 ,well may we weep and sorrow1 ,if they are silent all2 ,then are our souls too sinful ,to heed their spirit call4 ,the pure in heart alone can hear ,those precious words and low2 ,and by their lessons purer yet ,throughout their lives shall grow4 ,illustration ,,the ,,four ,,gifts4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,a4 ,a new-born babe was sleeping ,within its cradle fair1 ,and angel guards were keeping ,its peaceful slumbers there4 ,gone was the age of fairies1 ,and of the elfins wild1 ,who1 hovering o'er the infant's couch1 ,were wont to bless the child4 ,but in a distant city1 ,fays that still glad the earth1 ,four gentle little children1 ,hailed with delight his birth4 ,out spake the eldest sister1 ,o1 let us fairies play1 ,and give to our young brother ,some precious gift to-day4 ,sit down around the fireside1 ,and ,i my gift will tell4 ,and the little children sat them down ,the fancy pleased them well4 ,again thus spake the eldest1 ,i 'll give him beauty rare2 ,his eyes shall be as diamonds bright1 ,his brow like marble fair4 ,he shall have golden ringlets1 ,his cheeks shall mock the rose2 ,and he shall be the loveliest ,where'er his light form goes4 ,the next replied1 ,oh6 sister1 ,not such a gift is mine2 ,for beauty's charms1 though lovely1 ,must perish and decline4 ,i'll give him wit and talents2 ,in manhood he shall stand ,among the gifted and the wise1 ,that bless our native land4 ,i'll give him sweet good-temper1 ,said the third loving child2 ,he shall make glad our happy home ,by actions kind and mild4 ,the youngest raised her wondering eyes1 ,and said1 in accents low1 ,i thought the gift ,i chose would be ,the first that you 'd bestow4 ,i'll give our little brother ,obedience to-day1 ,and he shall mind1 with cheerfulness1 ,all that our parents say4 ,oh6 blessed is the childish heart1 ,in life's first opening dawn1 ,for all its high and holy thoughts ,from heavenly founts are drawn4 ,may our most valued blessings be ,obedience and love6 ,our hearts1 like that sweet sister's1 full ,of teachings from above6 ,illustration ,,the ,,two ,,lullabies4 ,once songs as lullabies to thee ,i sung1 ,to sleep hath sung thee now an angel's tongue4 ,from the ,german of ,ruckert4 ,illustration3 ,letter ,a4 ,a lovely babe was lying ,upon its mother's breast2 ,and she1 with soft1 low music4 ,was hushing it to rest4 ,the song was sweet and gentle1 ,and loving in its tone2 ,and in its touching tenderness ,a mother's love was shown4 ,and still it floated onward1 ,with melody so deep1 ,till closed the dark-fringed eyelids1 ,the baby was asleep4 ,and still beside his cradle ,she sang the same low hymn1 ,till he smiled1 as he was sleeping1 ,at angel fancies dim4 ,years passed4--,the helpless infant ,was now a happy boy2 ,and often rang his laughter1 ,in notes of heartfelt joy4 ,upon his mother's bosom ,i saw the child again2 ,and his little head was drooping ,in weakness and in pain4 ,back from his marble forehead ,the hair streamed1 golden bright2 ,but yet his dark eye sparkled ,with more than mortal light4 ,and suddenly he whispered1 ,what music sweet ,i hear6 ',tis not the song you used to sing ,at night1 ,o mother dear6 ,but sweeter far1 and softer1 ,than notes you ever sung2 ,it is as if a silver bell ,its pleasant chimings rung4 ,it tells of rest1 dear mother1 ,of slumber calm and deep2 ,and ,i am worn and weary1 ,and fain 'would sink to sleep4 ,darkness is closing round me-- ,you're fading from my sight-- ,i hear it still6--dear mother1 ,kiss me once more--good-night6 ,he slept2 but angel voices ,had sung his lullaby2 ,and sweet shall be his waking ,in our ,father's home on high6 ,illustration