file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #fjach-;h4htm or #fjach-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/cache_/epu b_/#fjach_/pg#fjach-;images4html7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/files_/#fj ach_/fjach-;h4zip7 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive4 ,see https3_/_/archive4org_/details_/edithher ayahothe#jj;aloe ,,edith ,,and ,,her ,,ayah1 ,and ,other ,stories4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,a ,l ,o ,e ,,edith and her ,,ayah ,,and ,,other ,,stories ,t4 ,,nelson ,,and ,,sons4 ,,london1 ,,edinburgh ,,and ,,new ,,york4 ,illustration3 ,,whatsoever ,a ,,man ,,soweth ,,that ,,shall ,,he ,,also ,,reap ,,edith ,,and ,,her ,,ayah1 ,,and ,,other ,,stories4 by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,author of 8,exiles in ,babylon10 8,triumph over ,midian10 8,the ,young ,pilgrim10 etc4 ,illustration ,london3 ,t4 ,nelson and ,sons1 ,paternoster ,row2 ,edinburgh2 and ,new ,york4 #ahgb4 ,contents4 ,i4 ,,edith ,,and ,,her ,,ayah1 #g ,,ii4 ,,the ,,butterfly1 #bj ,,iii4 ,,the ,,penitent1 #bi ,,iv4 ,,the ,,reproof1 #cg ,v4 ,,the ,,vase ,,and ,,the ,,dart1 #dj ,,vi4 ,,the ,,jewel1 #di ,,vii4 ,,the ,,storm1 #eg ,,viii4 ,,the ,,sabbath-,,tree1 #fe ,,ix4 ,,the ,,white ,,robe1 #gf ,x4 ,,crosses1 #hd ,,xi4 ,,the ,,two ,,countries1 #ic ,,xii4 ,,do ,,you ,,love ,,god8 #ajb ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,imperfect ,,copy1 #ajf ,,xiv4 ,a ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,crimea1 #aab ,,xv4 8,i ,,have ,a ,,home1 ,a ,,happy ,,home10 #aai ,illustration3 ,,blessings ,,are ,,upon ,,the ,,head ,,of ,,the ,,just4 ,,prov4 #aj3f ,i4 ,,edith ,,and ,,her ,,ayah4 8,mamma10 said little ,edith1 looking up from the toys with which she was playing at the feet of her mother--8mamma1 why does ,motee ,ayah never come in to prayers80 ,mrs4 ,tuller was seated at her desk in the large room of her bungalow 7house7 in ,india4 ,the day was hot2 the blazing sun shone with fiery glare2 but the light came into the room so much softened by green blinds and half-closed shutters1 that the place was so dark that the lady could scarcely see to write4 ,the punkah1 a kind of huge fan1 moving gently to and fro above her1 made a refreshing air which would have sent her papers fluttering in every direction had not weights been placed to keep them down4 ,mrs4 ,tuller paused in her writing1 but did not reply to the question asked by her child regarding her ayah1 or native nurse4 8,mamma10 said little ,edith again1 8does not ,motee ,ayah love the ,lord ,jesus80 8,alas1 my child1 she does not know him60 8,but will you not teach her1 mamma80 and the fair-haired girl looked up in her mother's face with such a pleading look in her soft gray eyes1 that1 touched by her interest in the poor heathen1 ,mrs4 ,tuller bent down1 kissed fondly the brow of her child1 and whispered1 8,my love1 ,i will try40 ,nor did ,mrs4 ,tuller forget her promise4 ,again and again she spoke to ,motee of the ,christian's faith and the ,christian's ,god4 ,it saddened the heart of the lady to feel that to seek to teach ,motee religion was like trying to write upon water4 ,the ayah joined her dark hands together1 listened1 or seemed to listen1 said1 8,very good1 very good10 to everything that the beebee 7lady7 told her1 but always returned to her idol1 a hideous little wooden image1 and performed her poojah 7worship7 to ,vishnu1 as if she had never heard of a purer religion4 ,mrs4 ,tuller grew quite disheartened about her4 ,sometimes the lady blamed her own imperfect knowledge of the language1 and sometimes she felt almost angry with the ayah for her blindness and hardness of heart4 ,illustration3 ,,teaching ,,the ,,ayah4 ,poor ,motee had been brought up from infancy amongst idolaters2 she had never been taught truth when a child1 and now error bound her like a chain4 ,motee had actually been led to think it honourable to her family that1 many years before1 there had been a suttee in it2 that is to say1 a poor young widow had burnt herself with the dead body of her husband4 ,happily1 our ,government has forbidden suttees--no widow can thus be burnt now2 but still the cruel heathen religion hurts the bodies as well as the souls of the ,queen's dark subjects in ,india4 ,motee's own father had died on a pilgrimage to what he believed to be a holy shrine4 ,travelling on foot for hundreds of miles under a burning sun1 the poor idolater's strength had given way1 and he had laid himself down by the roadside1 sick1 faint1 and alone1 to die far away from his home4 ,poor ,motee had never reflected that the religion which had thus cost the lives of two of her family could not be a religion of heavenly love4 ,she worshipped ,vishnu1 for she knew no better2 and when her lady spoke to her of the ,lord1 the ayah only said to herself1 that the ,god of the ,english was not the ,god of the ,hindu1 and that she herself must do what all her fathers had done4 ,mrs4 ,tuller's words had little power1 but her example and that of her husband were not without some effect upon the ignorant ayah4 ,motee knew that the sahib 7master7 who prayed with his family1 never used bad words1 nor was unkind to his wife1 nor beat his servants1 nor took bribes4 ,motee knew that the beebee who read her ,bible was gentle1 generous1 and kind4 ,the ayah could not but respect the religion whose fruits she saw in the lives of her master and mistress4 ,but it was not only the lady's words and the lady's example that were used as means to draw the poor ,hindu to ,god4 ,little ,edith had never heard the beautiful saying1 that 8the nearest road to any heart is through heaven10 and she would not have known its meaning if she had heard it1 but the ,english child had been taught that the ,saviour listens to prayer4 ,every night and morning ,edith1 at her mother's knee1 repeated the few simple words1 8,lord ,jesus1 teach me to love thee60 and now1 of her own accord1 she added another short prayer4 ,mrs4 ,tuller caught the soft whispered words from the lips of her darling1 8,lord ,jesus1 teach poor ,motee ,ayah to love thee60 ,the mother took no outward notice1 but from her heart she added 8,amen0 to the prayer of her child4 ,the hot season passed away2 the time had come when ,mr4 ,tuller and his family could enjoy what is called 8camp life10 and move from place to place1 living not in a house but a tent4 ,the change was pleasant to the party1 most of all to little ,edith4 ,she delighted in running about and playing with the goats1 pulling the ropes1 watching the black servants taking down the tents1 or in riding on her little white pony4 ,edith's cheeks1 which during the hot weather had grown quite thin and pale1 became plump and rosy once more2 and merry was the sound of her childish voice as she gambolled in and out of the tent4 ,one day1 as ,edith was playing outside1 near the edge of a jungle or thicket1 her attention was attracted by a beautiful little fawn1 that seemed almost too young to run about1 and which stood timidly gazing at the child with its soft dark eyes4 8,pretty creature1 come here10 cried ,edith1 beckoning with her small white hand2 8have you lost your mother1 little fawn8 ,come and share my milk and bread1--come1 and ,i will make you my pet1 and love you so much1 pretty fawn60 ,as all her coaxing could not lure the timid creature to her side1 ,edith advanced towards it4 ,the fawn started back with a frightened look1 and fled into the jungle as fast as its weak1 slender limbs could bear it4 ,the merry child gave chase1 following the fawn1 and calling to it as she ran1 pushing her way as well as she could between the tall reeds and grass1 which were higher than her own curly head4 ,motee soon missed her charge1 and quickly hurried after ,edith4 ,so eager1 however1 was the child in pursuit of the fawn1 that she was some distance from the tents before the ayah overtook her4 8,o ,missee ,baba10 cried the panting nurse1 8why you run away from your ,motee80 8,i want to catch the pretty fawn2 ,i want to take it to mamma2 it is too little to be by itself1--,i'm afraid the jackals will get it60 8,i am afraid that the jackals will get ,missee ,baba10 cried the ayah1 catching the little girl up in her arms4 8,missee must come back to the beebee directly40 ,edith was a good little child1 and made no resistance1 though she looked wistfully into the bushes after the fawn1 and called out to it again and again in hopes of luring it back4 ,motee attempted to return to the tents1 but did not feel sure of the way1--the vegetation around grew so high that she could scarcely see two yards before her4 ,she walked some steps with ,edith in her arms1 then stopped and looked round with a frightened air4 8,motee1 why don't you go on80 asked ,edith4 8,o ,missee ,baba1 we're lost60 cried the poor ,hindu2 8lost here in the dreadful jungle1 full of wild beasts and snakes60 ,edith stared at her ayah in alarm1 yet at that moment the little child remembered her mother's lessons4 8,don't be so frightened1 ,motee10 said the fair-haired ,english girl2 8the ,lord ,jesus can save us1 and show us the way to mamma40 ,there was comfort in that thought1 which the poor heathen could not have drawn from calling on ,vishnu and the thousand false gods which the ignorant ,hindus adore4 ,the little child could feel1 as the woman could not1 that even in that lonely jungle a great and a loving ,friend was beside her6 ,again ,motee tried to find her way1 again she paused in alarm4 ,what was that dreadful sound1 like a growl1 that startled the ayah1 and made her sink on her knees in terror1 clasping all the closer the little girl in her arms6 ,motee and ,edith both turned to gaze in the direction from which that dreadful sound had proceeded4 ,what was their horror on beholding the striped head of a ,bengal tiger above the waving grass6 ,motee uttered a terrified scream1--,edith a cry to the ,lord to save her4 ,it seemed like the instant answer to that cry when the sharp report of a rifle rang through the thicket1 quickly succeeded by a second2 and the wild beast1 mortally wounded1 lay rolling and struggling on the earth6 ,edith saw nothing of what followed2 the shock had been too great for the child2 senseless with terror she lay in the arms of her trembling ayah6 ,edith's father1 for it was he whom ,providence had sent to the rescue1 bore his little darling back to the tent1 leaving his servants1 who had followed his steps1 to bring in the spoils of the tiger4 ,it was some time before ,edith recovered her senses1 and then an attack of fever ensued4 ,mrs4 ,tuller nursed her daughter with fondest care1 and with scarcely less tenderness and love the faithful ,motee tended the child4 ,the poor ayah would have given her life to save that of her little charge4 ,on the third night after that terrible adventure in the woods came the crisis of the fever4 ,mrs4 ,tuller1 worn out by two sleepless nights1 had been persuaded to go to rest1 and let ,motee take her turn of watching beside the child4 ,the tent was nearly dark1--but one light burned within it1--,edith lay in shadow1--the ayah could not see her face1--a terror came over the ,hindu1--all was so still1 she could not hear any breathing1--could ,missee ,baba be dead6 ,motee during two anxious days had prayed to all the false gods that she could think of to make ,missee ,edith well2 but the fever had not decreased4 ,now1 in the silence of the night1 poor ,motee ,ayah bethought her of the ,english girl's words in the jungle4 ,little ,edith had said that the ,lord could save them1--and had he not saved from the jaws of the savage tiger8 ,could he not help them now8 ,the ,hindu knelt beside the charpoy 7pallet7 on which lay the fair-haired child1 put her brown palms together1 bowed her head1 and for the first time in her life breathed a prayer to the ,christian's ,god3 8,lord ,jesus1 save ,missee ,baba60 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,ayah ,,praying4 8,o ,motee6 ,motee60 cried little ,edith1 starting up from the pillow with a cry of delight1 and flinging her white arms round the neck of the astonished ,hindu1 8the ,lord has made you love him1--,i knew he would1--for ,i prayed so hard4 ,and oh1 how ,i love you1 ,motee--more than ever ,i did before60 ,the curly head nestled on the bosom of the ayah1 and her dark skin was wet with the little child's tears of joy4 ,edith1 a few minutes before1 had awoke refreshed from a long sleep1 during which her fever had passed away4 ,and from that hour her recovery was speedy2 before many days were over the child was again sporting about in innocent glee4 ,and from that night the ayah never prayed to an idol again4 ,willing she now was to listen to all that the beebee could tell of a great and merciful ,lord4 ,of the skin of the tiger that the sahib had slain a rug was made1 which ,edith called her praying-carpet4 ,upon this1 morning and night1 the white ,english girl and her ayah knelt side by side1 and offered up simple prayers to ,him who had saved them from death4 ,mrs4 ,tuller's words had done less than her example in drawing a poor wandering soul to ,god2 but the prayer lisped by her little lamb had had greater effect than either4 ,oh1 if1 in our dear land1 all the little ones who have no money to give to the missionary cause1 who have never even seen an idolater1 would lift up their hands and hearts to the ,lord1 saying1 8,teach the poor heathen to love thee60 how rich a harvest of blessings would be drawn down by such a prayer on those who know not the truth1 and still sit in darkness and the shadow of death6 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,buy ,,the ,,truth ,,and ,,sell ,,it ,,not4 ,prov4 #bc3bc4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,butterfly4 ,a party of boys had been playing in the fields on a sunny afternoon in the bright month of ,june4 ,they had been chasing a gay butterfly1 which1 in its uncertain flight1 had led them over hedge and ditch1 till at last the beautiful prize was won1 and the brilliant insect remained a helpless prisoner in the hands of its pursuers4 ,alas1 for the butterfly6 ,a few moments before so gay and so free1 sometimes resting on a blossom1 then fluttering up towards the sky1 its lovely wings were rudely torn away1 and it lay quivering in the agonies of death4 ,at this moment ,ella ,claremont1 a young lady of the village1 approached the party2 she had seen the chase and its close1 and looked with regret on the poor mangled butterfly4 8,why did you not let it live80 said she2 8it had never harmed you1 and it was so happy4 ,you easily took away its little life10 she added2 8but could any of you1 could any power on earth1 give that life back again80 ,illustration3 ,a ,,helpless ,,prisoner4 ,the boys looked one upon another1 and were silent1 till the eldest of them1 ,giles1 replied1 8,i am sorry that ,i killed it1 but ,i did not know that there was any harm40 8,surely10 said ,ella1 in a very gentle voice1 8in a world where there is so much pain1 one would be sorry to add1 even in the least degree1 to the amount of it4 ,there is another feeling10 continued she1 8that should make us merciful to every creature2 we should look upon it as one of the wonderful works of ,god40 8,why10 said ,anthony1 8a butterfly is only a caterpillar after it has wings40 8,true2 but what human skill could form a caterpillar6 ,it has been calculated that in a single caterpillar there are sixty thousand muscles60 ,an exclamation of astonishment burst from the boys4 8,they must be finer than spiders' threads10 cried ,giles4 8,i daresay10 replied the lady1 8that you are not aware that each separate spider's thread is said to be formed of about three thousand joined together40 8,the world seems full of wonders10 exclaimed little ,robert4 8,it is indeed2 the more we search into ,god's works1 the more wisdom and skill do we behold40 8,i'll not kill a butterfly again10 said ,giles4 8,i never see one fluttering in the sun10 continued ,ella1 8without thinking of those lines3-- #8,thou hast burst from thy prison1 ,bright child of the air6 ,like a spirit just risen ,from its mansion of care6'0 8,that sounds very pretty10 said ,giles2 8but ,i don't understand it40 8,it is not very difficult to explain10 replied ,ella4 8,the butterfly teaches us a joyful lesson2 it is what is called a type of immortality6 ,you see the lowly caterpillar crawling over a leaf1--it cannot raise itself towards the sky1--it cannot leave the earth2 in this it is like what we are now4 ,then1 as you know1 it seems to die2 it is wrapped up in its little covering1 and there it lies without motion or feeling--that is like what we must be40 8,ah6 ,i see2 when we are in our coffins1 dead and buried10 cried ,robert4 8,but the bright butterfly soon bursts from the dark case1 and we do not rise from our graves40 8,we shall10 replied ,ella earnestly2 8we all shall rise again4 ,no longer prisoners bound to earth1 no longer creeping on amidst trials and sorrows1 but free1 happy1 glorious1 shining in the beams of the ,sun of ,righteousness4 #8,for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised' 7#a ,cor4 xv4 #eb74 ,why should we fear death--why should we dread being laid in the cold tomb8 ,when we think of the hope set before us1 well may we cry1 #8,o death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8'0 7#a ,cor4 xv4 #ee74 ,there was a deep silence for a few moments2 nothing was heard but the song of a lark high overhead1 as it soared towards the sky4 ,then ,giles spoke in a tone of awe1 8,will all rise again80 8,yes1 all40 8,will all rise to be free1 and happy1 and glorious80 8,alas1 no60 replied ,ella4 8,how can we tell10 continued the boy1 after a little hesitation1 8whether we shall be among the happy ones80 8,there will be but two classes then10 said ,ella1 8as there are but two classes amongst those called ,christians now4 ,we may divide all who have heard of a ,saviour into those who love ,god1 and those who love sin4 ,those who love sin will awake to misery2 those who love ,god will awake to glory40 8,but10 said the boy anxiously1 8there may be some who love ,god and really try to obey him1 and yet sin sometimes40 8,all sin sometimes10 replied ,ella4 8,there is not one human being free from sin40 8,then10 said ,giles1 8,i should be afraid that1 when the trumpet sounded1 my sins would be like chains1 and keep me down1 so that ,i could not rise40 ,every eye was turned towards ,ella2 every ear anxiously listened for her reply2 for every young heart was conscious of some sin1 and felt the difficulty which ,giles had started4 8,it would have been so10 replied ,ella1 8had not the ,saviour died for sinners like us4 ,his blood washes us quite clean from all guilt--that is1 if we really believe on him and love him4 ,let us look upon our sins as chains now1 and struggle hard to burst them1 and pray for grace to help us3 then1 if we are ,christ's people1 we shall rise joyfully in that great day when #8the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god'0 7#a ,thess4 iv4 #af74 8,i think10 said ,giles1 after a pause1 8that sins are like chains1 and very hard to break too4 ,there is temper1 now6 ,i know that ,i've a bad temper2 ,i determine over and over again that ,i will get rid of it2 but the harder ,i struggle1 the tighter the chain seems to grow40 8,and mother is trying to cure me of saying bad words10 cried little ,robert2 8but it's no use--they will come2 ,i say them when ,i'm not thinking about it40 8,have you tried prayer80 inquired ,ella4 8,do you not know the precious promises1 #8,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth not2 and it shall be given him' 7,james i4 #e74 #8,ask1 and it shall be given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock1 and it shall be opened unto you' 7,luke xi4 #i74 ,these words have often been such a comfort to me1 when ,i felt how heavy my chain was1 and how weak my efforts to get rid of it4 ,and now1 my young friends1 ,i must leave you2 will you think over what ,i have said80 8,yes1 miss1 and thank you for it10 said ,giles1 touching his cap4 ,ella paused as she was turning to depart1 and gazed upon the sky1 all bright with the evening sun1 setting amidst clouds of crimson and gold4 8,how glorious60 she cried1 8how beautiful that work of ,god6 ,he1 too1 speaks of the resurrection2 he sinks to rise again6 #8,just so is the ,christian2 his course he begins1 ,like the sun in a mist1 when he mourns for his sins1 ,then all in a moment he breaks out and shines1 ,and travels his heavenly way4 #8,and when he comes nearer to finish his race1 ,like a fine setting sun1 he grows richer in grace1 ,and gives a sure hope1 at the end of his days1 ,of rising in brighter array6' 8,farewell1 my children4 ,whether we shall see each other again on this earth1 who shall dare to say8 ,but we shall meet again when the last trumpet sounds1 and the dead hear the ,saviour's voice1 and the saints awake in his likeness4 ,let us live now as those who are waiting for the ,lord1 and who long for the hour of his appearing40 8,oh6 when through earth1 and sea1 and skies1 ,th' archangel's final summons flies1 ,may we1 through ,christ1 immortal rise ,towards a heavenly home6 8,they who together life have trod1 ,may they together burst the sod1 ,and glorious rise to meet their ,god6 ,come1 ,jesus1 ,saviour1 come60 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,the ,,hand ,,of ,,the ,,diligent ,,maketh ,,rich ,,iii4 ,,the ,,penitent4 8,what is the matter with you1 ,charley80 said ,george ,mayne1 as he returned home from the factory1 and found his little brother crying violently on the door-step4 8,what has vexed you1 ,charley1 my boy80 8,oh1 my father will never forgive me10 sobbed the child4 8,i cannot think that1 he is so good and so kind4 ,come1 dry up your tears1 and tell me what has happened2 perhaps ,i may be able to help you out of your trouble40 ,illustration3 ,,charley',s ,,grief4 ,it was some time before1 soothed by the kindness of his brother1 the boy became calm enough to explain the cause of his grief4 ,with a voice half choked with tears he began3 8,father had sent me to pay the baker--he had given me a half-crown to do it--he had trusted me2 and now it is all--all gone6 ,oh1 father will never forgive me60 and he burst into a fresh agony of sorrow4 8,you lost the money1 did you8 ,well1 father can ill afford it1 but he will forgive you for an accident1 ,i am sure40 8,but it was not an accident1 that is the worst of it6 ,you see1 ,i met ,jack and ,ben2 they were playing at pitch-farthing1 and they called to me to join them40 8,but father has forbidden us to keep company with those idle boys40 8,i know it--but ,i disobeyed him--,i was very wrong--and ,i am very miserable40 8,i hope that you did not join the game80 8,not at first--,i told them that ,i had given father my solemn promise never to gamble2 but they jeered me1 and laughed at me--and ,i played with them--and they got all my money from me--the half-crown that was not mine1 with which ,i had been trusted4 ,oh1 father will never forgive me60 8,now1 ,charley1 do you know what ,i advise you to do80 said ,george4 8,go to father at once1 confess your fault to him1 let not one sin lead you to another40 8,confess to him6--,i dare not40 8,i will go with you1 ,charley2 ,i will plead for you40 8,but father is so poor2 he will be in debt1 and he cannot bear that6 ,he will be so angry4 ,oh1 cannot ,i say that some one snatched the half-crown out of my hand80 8,charley1 ,charley60 cried his brother1 almost sternly1 8the ,evil ,one is tempting you4 ,he has gained one victory over you2 would you be his slave entirely8 ,pray to ,god for strength to struggle against this temptation3 remember that liars have no place in heaven4 ,i will plead for you1 ,i say2 and as for the money1 ,i have been saving up pence for the last six months to buy a particular book which ,i have much wished to have--,i have just enough of money1 and ,i will pay the debt40 8,o ,george1 how good you are6 ,but if the debt is paid1 need ,i confess80 8,yes2 you have not only lost the money1 but broken father's command1 and broken your own promise4 ,hide nothing4 ,take my hand1 ,charley1 and come with me at once2 every moment that we delay doing what is right1 we add to the difficulty of doing it40 ,so hand in hand the two brothers appeared before their father1 who was resting himself after a hard day's work4 ,george encouraged poor ,charley to confess his fault2 he entreated forgiveness for the offender2 he placed in the hand of his father his own hard-earned savings4 ,the parent opened his arms1 and pressed both his sons to his heart6 ,then making ,charley sit down beside him1 the good man thus addressed his repentant child3-- 8,i forgive you1 my boy1 for the sake of your brother2 but there is another ,friend whom you have offended1 whose commandment you have broken1 whose forgiveness you must seek40 8,i know that ,i have sinned against ,god10 said ,charley sadly4 8,and for whose sake do you hope to be forgiven80 ,charley looked up in the face of his father1 and replied1 8,i hope for forgiveness for the sake of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 8,and if you are grateful to an earthly brother for pitying you1 and pleading for you1 and paying your debt1 how can you be thankful enough to that heavenly ,saviour who shed his own blood to win for you a free pardon1 and who now is pleading for you at the right hand of ,god80 ,charley was silent1 but his eyes filled with tears4 8,and now1 ,george1 my boy1 bring me the ,bible10 said his father2 8it is time for our evening reading40 8,what part shall ,i read80 inquired ,george1 reverently opening the sacred book4 8,oh1 let him read of some one who had sinned and was forgiven60 said poor ,charley4 ,at his father's look of assent1 ,george turned to the touching story of the woman who1 weeping and penitent1 sought for mercy from the ,saviour1 and found it4 8,behold1 a woman in the city1 which was a sinner1 when she knew that ,jesus sat at meat in the ,pharisee's house1 brought an alabaster-box of ointment1 and stood at his feet behind him weeping1 and began to wash his feet with tears1 and did wipe them with the hairs of her head1 and kissed his feet1 and anointed them with the ointment4 ,now when the ,pharisee which had bidden him saw it1 he spake within himself1 saying1 ,this man1 if he were a prophet1 would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him3 for she is a sinner4 ,and ,jesus answering1 said unto him1 ,simon1 ,i have somewhat to say unto thee4 ,and he saith1 ,master1 say on4 ,there was a certain creditor which had two debtors2 the one owed five hundred pence1 and the other fifty4 ,and when they had nothing to pay1 he frankly forgave them both4 ,tell me1 therefore1 which of them will love him most8 ,simon answered and said1 ,i suppose that he to whom he forgave most4 ,and he said unto him1 ,thou hast rightly judged4 ,and he turned to the woman1 and said unto ,simon1 ,seest thou this woman8 ,i entered into thine house1 thou gavest me no water for my feet3 but she hath washed my feet with tears1 and wiped them with the hairs of her head4 ,thou gavest me no kiss3 but this woman1 since the time ,i came in1 hath not ceased to kiss my feet4 ,my head with oil thou didst not anoint3 but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment4 ,wherefore ,i say unto thee1 ,her sins1 which are many1 are forgiven2 for she loved much3 but to whom little is forgiven1 the same loveth little4 ,and he said unto her1 ,thy sins are forgiven0 7,luke vii4 #cg-dh74 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,enter ,,not ,,into ,,the ,,path ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,prov4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,reproof4 ,a lady and her young daughter were travelling by train4 ,two gentlemen occupied seats in the same carriage1 and presently entered into conversation with each other4 ,their language was such as pained their fellow-traveller to hear4 ,the sacred name of the ,deity lightly uttered1 the profane oath on their lips1 showed how little they regarded that solemn warning1 8,for every idle word men shall speak1 they shall give an account the day of judgment40 ,fearful of uttering her thoughts to the strangers1 the lady turned to her daughter1 who1 after having shown the fidgety restlessness common to children upon a journey1 now sat still with open eyes and ears1 a wondering listener to the conversation4 ,illustration3 ,,in ,,the ,,train4 ,anxious to divert the attention of ,adine1 the lady pointed out to her various objects on the road1 and then proceeded to repeat anecdote after anecdote from the funds of a well-stocked memory4 ,adine was soon all attention2 and at last even the gentlemen1 having worn out their own subject of conversation1 paused to listen to the mother entertaining her child4 8,did ,i ever tell you the story of a great king10 said the lady1 8who once overheard two of his courtiers speaking in a way greatly to displease him8 ,he gently drew back the curtains of his tent1 and uttered this quiet reproof3 #8,remove a little further1 gentlemen1 for your king hears you6' 8,adine10 continued the mother1 with a flushed cheek and beating heart1 for she wished1 yet feared1 to make her lesson plain to the older listeners1 8may not some people yet need such a reproof80 8,it would be of no use1 mamma10 replied the child simply2 8for1 let us remove as far as we can1 our heavenly ,king always hears us60 ,there was not another oath uttered during the remainder of that journey2 the lesson had not been given in vain4 ,illustration ,illustration ,v4 ,,the ,,vase ,,and ,,the ,,dart4 8,not at school again1 ,harry80 said the teacher1 ,willy ,thorn1 as he seated himself in the little parlour of ,widow ,brown1 and regarded with a kind but almost sad countenance the flushed face of her grandson4 8,you have not been with us for a month1 ,harry1 and ,i fear that you never go to church4 ,i had hoped better things of you1 my boy40 8,it's all from the bad company that he gets into10 said the widow1 taking off her spectacles and wiping the glasses4 8,he is a good lad at heart1 sir2 but you see as how he has no firmness--he can't say ,no4 ,harry intends to do well one hour1 and forgets all about it the next2 but ,i'll be bound you'll see him at school and at church too1 some day or other40 8,he knows not how long he may have the opportunity of doing either4 ,remember1 ,harry1 the fate of your young companion1 ,sam ,porter1 hurried in one instant into eternity--not one moment given him to repent1 to call on his ,saviour6--all his opportunities past for ever60 ,harry sighed and looked down4 8,well1 my boy10 said ,thorn1 more cheerfully1 8if you have made good resolutions and broken them a hundred times1 try again2 try with faith and prayer1 and ,god may give you the victory yet6 ,i heard a little allegory to-day4 ,i thought that it might interest1 and perhaps benefit you2 so1 as it is too dark at present for reading1 ,i will repeat it to you1 if ,mrs4 ,brown would like to hear it40 8,i am quite agreeable10 said the old woman1 leaning back in her arm-chair4 8,what is an allegory80 inquired ,harry4 8,real truths shown in fiction4 ,you will understand better what an allegory is when you have listened to this4 ,it is called the story of 8,,the ,,vase ,,and ,,the ,,dart4 8,a young boy entered a beautiful garden1 which extended as far as the eye could reach4 ,through the whole length of it stretched a narrow avenue1 bordered with overhanging trees4 ,slowly the boy pursued his way along it1 listening to the songs of the birds1 and admiring the green foliage above him1 through which1 here and there1 streamed the rays of the glorious sun4 ,he quickly perceived that he was not alone2 on either side1 all down the long avenue1 stood a line of maidens1 beautiful to behold4 ,they were all robed in white1 with wreaths of fresh flowers on their heads1 and greeted the boy with a bright smile of welcome4 ,each held in her right hand a vase of gold1 in her left a sharp iron dart40 8,i do not understand this allegory at all10 said ,harry4 8,did any one ever see such maidens as these80 8,these maidens10 replied ,thorn1 8are well known to all--they are called ,opportunities4 ,who has not met with opportunities of doing good1 opportunities of receiving good80 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,rows ,,of ,,maidens4 8,i see1 sir4 ,pray go on40 8,as the boy approached the first maiden1 she held out her vase to him1 and invited him to take the contents4 ,on the golden vase appeared the word ,,prayer1 and the sweetest1 fairest fruits were heaped up within it2 but the boy scarcely glanced at the proffered gift4 #8,it is wearisome6' he cried2 so pushed it aside and passed on40 8,opportunity for prayer60 cried old ,mrs4 ,brown4 8,ah1 sir1 who can count how many times we have pushed that away from us6 ,god forgive us60 8,the boy sauntered on10 resumed ,willy ,thorn1 8and soon another fair maiden stood before him3 she also held forth a vase of bright gold1 full of pieces of glittering silver4 ,on it was inscribed the word ,,knowledge40 8,here is the opportunity of gaining learning at school10 said ,mrs4 ,brown1 who was an intelligent old woman1 and had read a good deal in her youth4 8,but the boy scarcely glanced at the proffered gift4 #8,it is troublesome6' he cried2 so pushed it aside and passed on4 8,a short space further on another maiden stopped him1 with a bright and joyous countenance4 ,her gold vase contained the loveliest flowers1 and on it appeared written1 ,,acts ,,of ,,kindness ,,to ,,others4 ,the boy looked at it wistfully for a moment1 tempted by the sweet perfume of the beautiful blossoms4 ,opportunity smiled1 but selfishness stayed the hand of the boy1 half stretched out to empty the vase3 he pushed it aside and passed on4 8,the next maiden who greeted him was calm and fair1 with a grave and earnest look4 ,her vase was full of refined gold1 and this was the motto which it bore3 ,,attendance ,,at ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,god4 ,a sound of church-bells came on the breeze1 and the sweet music of a distant hymn2 but in vain they fell on the boy's listening ear4 #8,it is dull6' he cried2 pushed the rich vase aside1 and passed on40 8,but you said1 sir10 observed ,harry1 8that the maidens held darts in their left hands1 as well as vases in their right4 ,what do you mean by them80 8,you shall hear before ,i end my story4 ,so the boy reached another maiden1 who looked like an angel from heaven4 ,her eyes shone like stars in the calm blue sky1 and the tones of her voice thrilled deep into the heart4 ,her vase was overflowing with sparkling jewels1 brighter than those which monarchs wear4 ,on it shone in glittering letters1 ,,the ,,word ,,of ,,god40 8,oh1 ,i hope that he put out his hand and took that60 cried the aged woman1 resting hers on her ,bible4 8,opportunity cried1 #8,oh1 pass me not by6 ,search the ,scriptures1 that can make you wise unto salvation4' ,she held forth her vase with imploring look1 but the boy was intent on pursuing his way4 #8,i care not for it6' he cried2 so pushed it aside and passed on40 8,well1 he might have the same opportunity of reading the ,bible again and again10 said ,harry4 8,not the same10 replied ,willy ,thorn2 8the boy could not retrace one step of his way4 ,no moment of time can ever be recalled4 ,every opportunity of doing good once past1 whatever others may arise1 that opportunity is past for ever6 8#8,i shall meet with more maidens1' said the boy4 #8,i see an endless number before me2 doubtless they carry vases as precious as those which ,i have rejected4' ,but even as he spoke the words1 he came suddenly on a black iron gate1 and he could pass on no further4 ,shuddering1 he read on the gate the solemn word1 ,,death6 8,then would he gladly have turned round3 then would he have earnestly asked for one more opportunity for prayer--one more opportunity of doing what is right2 but the last had been passed--he had slighted the treasure of the last6 ,nor can we despise opportunities1 and not suffer for doing so2 if they offer the vase1 they also carry the punishment meet for those who neglect its contents4 ,as the boy stood trembling at the gate of ,death1 a dart came hissing through the air1 and inflicted on him a burning wound3 then came another and another2 every opportunity despised sent its messenger of vengeance1 and the wretched boy1 writhing with the arrows of conscience in his soul1 sank down at the gate1 and perished60 8,alas60 cried ,harry1 8where can ,i then find safety1 for ,i have neglected more opportunities than ,i can number of doing good and receiving good80 8,ask the ,lord for pardon through the blood of the ,saviour60 exclaimed ,thorn4 8#8,now is the accepted time1 now is the day of salvation2' neglect not this opportunity--it may be your last6 ,o my young friend6 no day leaves you as it found you2 every day brings its opportunities of prayer1 praise1 reading the ,bible1 and obeying ,god's laws2 every day you have chosen either the vase or the dart40 ,dear reader1 to you would ,i address a few words4 ,if this little story has raised the thought in your heart1 8,how have ,i improved my opportunities80 oh1 push it not aside and pass on6 ,let not the day close without prayer2 seize the golden prize while yet it is offered to you1 or hope not to escape the dart6 ,illustration ,illustration ,,vi4 ,,the ,,jewel4 ,as a lady was walking across ,hyde ,park1 rather early in the day1 she happened to take her handkerchief out of her pocket1 and drew out with it1 by accident1 a little red case4 ,it fell on the path1 and rolled almost to the feet of a poor girl who was standing near4 ,the child was clad in rags1 her hair was rough1 her face and hands dirty2 she was one who had no one to care for her1 no one to teach her what was right4 ,half eager1 half afraid1 she stretched out her hand to seize the prize1 but first turned round to see that she was not observed1 and met the eye of the lady4 8,stop60 said ,mrs4 ,claremont1 who had heard the case drop on the ground2 8stop1 little girl1 you are in danger of losing something60 and while the astonished ,ann knew not what could possibly be meant by such strange words1 the lady quietly stooped down and picked up the case herself4 ,she then again addressed the child2 her manner was not angry1 but calm and kind1 and ,ann1 notwithstanding her fear and shame1 felt a pleasure in listening to so gentle a voice4 8,come beside me while ,i rest on this bench10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont1 8and tell me what ,i meant1 when ,i said that you were in danger of losing something40 ,ann only stared at her1 and made no answer4 8,do you know that you have a soul80 8,i know nothing about it10 muttered the girl4 8,then10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont1 8,i will show you what you were going to take1 and explain to you what you were in danger of losing40 8,i've got nothing to lose10 thought ,ann1 but she watched the lady with some curiosity4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,lady ,,and ,,the ,,little ,,girl4 8,you see10 continued ,mrs4 ,claremont1 8this little red case4 ,it has nothing fine about it1--it looks old and worn4 ,did you think it worth stealing80 8,i thought there was something in it40 8,you thought right2 the most precious part is within4 ,so it is with you1 and all people1 my child4 ,your body1 which can be seen and felt1 is like the case of the jewel2 your soul is the jewel itself40 8,what is a soul80 said ,ann4 8,when ,i speak to you1 you think of what ,i say--the part of you that thinks is the soul2 if any were kind to you1 you would love them--the part that loves is the soul4 ,you can see that tree2 it lives1 but it has no soul in it1 it cannot love or think4 ,do you understand me now80 8,yes10 answered the girl4 8,you cannot see this jewel1 because the case is shut2 ,i am going to open the case1 and show it to you40 ,mrs4 ,claremont unclosed the little case1 and ,ann beheld a very beautiful jewel1 which sparkled like a star in the rays of the sun4 8,this jewel was given to my great-grandmother on her marriage10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont4 8,oh1 how bright and fine it is60 cried ,ann2 8it does not look at all old60 8,it will never look old4 ,when ,i and my children's children are in their graves1 it will look beautiful and fresh as ever6 ,and so it is with the soul4 ,our bodies must be laid in the tomb1 but our souls--those jewels within--will never1 never die60 8,where will they be when our bodies are dead80 asked ,ann4 8,either in happiness or in misery1 according as we have been ,god's faithful people here or not10 replied ,mrs4 ,claremont4 8,now tell me1 my poor child1 for which should we care most1--the case or the jewel1 the body or the soul80 8,the soul10 answered ,ann4 8,and it was your soul which you were putting in danger even now2 for sin is the ruin of the soul4 ,it is written in ,god's ,word1 #8,what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul1 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul8' ,to procure a few more comforts for your weak perishing body1 would you throw away the precious jewel within80 ,ann looked at the lady very sadly1 and then replied1 8,no one ever spoke to me in this way before2 no one cares for my soul60 8,o my child1 there is ,one who cares for it1 ,one to whom it is very precious6 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ left the glory of heaven to come and save poor souls4 ,he bought yours with his life's blood4 ,he died on the cross1 that it might shine for ever in glory60 8,does the ,lord really care for me80 inquired ,ann anxiously4 8,why1 then1 am ,i so wretched and so poor80 8,he does care for you2 he does love you2 you are precious to him4 ,and as for being poor and wretched--look again at this beautiful jewel1 and tell me where you think that it came from first40 8,i cannot tell40 8,it came from the dust1--it was dug from the dark earth4 ,it had no great beauty then2 those who did not know its real value would have despised and thrown it away2 but there were those who knew that it was precious4 ,so we too belong to the dust1 fallen sinful creatures2 and we would have lain there for ever1 had not the ,lord had pity upon us and raised us1 and brought us into the sunlight of his gospel40 8,if the jewel was not bright at first1 what makes it so bright now80 inquired ,ann4 8,it has been cut and polished1 and so it is with our souls4 ,god sends them poverty or trials here1 to prepare them to shine in his palace above6 ,if the jewel had been a living thing it would not have liked to have been cut1 but it would never have been bright without it40 8,i should like to know more about the ,lord who cares for my soul1 and bought it with his blood10 sighed ,ann4 8,have you a ,bible or ,testament1 my child80 8,no1 ma'am40 8,can you read80 8,no10 said ,ann sadly4 8,there is a ,ragged ,school near1 to which you might go and be taught1 and hear about the ,lord ,jesus1 and what he has done for your soul40 8,i know where the school is10 said ,ann4 8,go1 then1 and you will be made welcome1 my poor little friend4 ,i do not remain in ,london myself1 but ,i will leave with the teacher some clothes1 and a beautiful ,bible1 which shall be yours as soon as you can read it40 8,thank you1 ma'am10 said the girl4 8,and one little word before we part1 perhaps never to meet again in this world10 continued ,mrs4 ,claremont4 8,if you cannot read you can pray--have you ever prayed to ,god80 8,never10 replied ,ann4 8,your soul can never be safe until you do4 ,kneel down1 morning and evening1 and at least repeat these few words3 #8,o ,lord1 forgive my sins1 and make my heart clean by thy ,spirit1 for ,jesus ,christ's sake4' ,so short a prayer you can remember1 can you not1 if ,i repeat it over to you two or three times80 8,i think so10 said ,ann4 8,pray with your whole heart1 my child1 and ,god1 for the sake of the ,saviour1 will hear and bless you4 ,love him who first loved you1 believe in his mercy1 and obey his holy commandments4 ,then what matter if for a few years1 or months1 or days1 you be called upon to wait or suffer here8 ,death will soon unclose the worn-out case1 and remove the precious jewel to that glorious place where tears shall be wiped from every eye1 and sorrow and sighing shall flee for ever away60 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,fear ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,is ,,the ,,beginning ,,of ,,wisdom4 ,prov4 ix4 #aj ,,vii4 ,,the ,,storm4 ,a little vessel was floating over the ,sea of ,tiberias2 the ,lord ,jesus and his disciples were within it4 8,and there arose a great storm of wind1 and the waves beat into the ship1 so that it was now full4 ,and ,jesus was in the hinder part of the ship1 asleep on a pillow2 and they awake him1 and say unto him1 ,master1 carest thou not that we perish8 ,and he arose1 and rebuked the wind1 and said unto the sea1 ,peace1 be still6 ,and the wind ceased1 and there was a great calm0 7,mark iv4 #cg-ci74 ,the tossing waves sank down at his word1 and the obedient waters lay like a sheet of glass1 reflecting the blue sky above6 8,and he said unto his disciples1 ,why are ye so fearful8 how is it that ye have no faith8 ,and they feared exceedingly1 and said one to another1 ,what manner of ,man is this1 that even the wind and the sea obey him80 7,mark iv47 ,dear little reader1 are you in trouble or temptation8 ,then are you like the disciples on the stormy ,sea of ,tiberias4 ,perhaps your relations are harsh and unkind1 or perhaps you are a poor orphan without a friend in the world1 and are ready to say1 8,no man careth for my soul60 ,but you have one ,friend1 a powerful ,friend1 a loving ,friend1 who has led you on your voyage through life until now1 and will lead you to the end6 ,the ,lord ,jesus is beside you1 though you see him not4 ,hear what he says to those who love him3 ,can a woman forget her sucking child6 yea1 they may forget1 yet will ,i not forget thee 7,isa4 xlix4 #ae74 ,or are you in great poverty1 hungry and weary8 ,you can scarcely earn your daily bread1 you have no comfort1 no rest1 no home6 ,in the bitterness of your heart1 you cry1 8,lord1 carest thou not that we perish80 ,o my child1 the ,saviour is not asleep6 ,he knows your trials1 he has felt them all--the ,lord of heaven and earth once 8had not where to lay his head60 ,behold1 the eye of the ,lord is upon them that fear him1 upon them that hope in his mercy2 to deliver their soul from death1 and to keep them alive in famine 7,ps4 xxxiii4 #ah1 #ai74 ,many are the afflictions of the righteous2 but the ,lord delivereth him out of them all 7,ps4 xxxiv4 #ai74 ,ask the ,lord to help you1 to feed you1 to comfort you1 above all1 to give you his ,holy ,spirit2 for if we love and trust in him1 then our light affliction1 which is but for a moment1 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory4 ,then the rough wind of trouble will but bring you on more quickly towards heaven1 and even here below ,jesus may bid the waves of affliction be still1 and there shall be a great calm6 ,or are you in the storm of temptation8 ,you wish to please ,god1 you wish to go to heaven1 but you feel as though the way were too hard for you4 ,you think1 8,i cannot resist that temptation2 ,i can give up all but that one sin4 ,if ,i do not join my companions in what is wrong1 ,i shall be despised2 if ,i do not tell such a falsehood1 ,i shall be beaten2 if ,i do not work or sell on ,sundays1 ,i shall be starved60 ,in such a storm of temptation turn to the ,saviour still2 for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted1 he is able to succour them that are tempted 7,heb4 ii4 #ah74 ,cry1 8,lord1 save me or ,i perish6 ,give me thy ,holy ,spirit1 that ,i may be ready to follow thee through trouble and temptation4 ,whatever ,i may suffer here1 oh1 keep me faithful to thee60 ,think on this one great truth1 dear reader4 ,the comfort of the voyage matters little in comparison to the place where we are going4 ,the voyage of life cannot last very long2 the fiercest storm must soon pass away6 ,look at these two different passengers1 and think which of them you would pity4 ,see one vessel bounding gaily over the bright water1 the wind in her favour1 the sun shining upon her2 and look at that man on her deck6 ,he is a slave2 he is going to suffering and misery1 he dreads to arrive at the port4 ,do you not pity him8 ,yet his case is happy compared with that of those who forget ,god--who1 caring but for pleasure1 living only for this world1 are yet hurrying on to death--and after death the judgment6 ,poor slaves of sin6 do they not know that-- 8,the greatest evil we can fear1 ,is to possess our portion here60 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,man ,,at ,,the ,,wheel4 ,now look at this other man in a storm-tossed vessel6 ,he is going home4 ,he is going to riches1 and honour1 and happiness1 and home6 ,though the waves rise high1 they will not overwhelm him2 though the clouds are so dark1 there is a sunshine in his heart6 ,on the shore he knows that all will be peace1 and he can smile in the midst of the storm6 ,do you pity him8 ,but far happier is the ,christian1 however afflicted here2 for his heart1 and his hopes1 and his home1 are in heaven1 and he is on his way to ,god6 ,his sins forgiven through the blood of his ,saviour1 his courage supported by the power of ,god's grace6 ,blessed is the man that endureth temptation3 for when he is tried1 he shall receive the crown of life1 which the ,lord hath promised to them that love him6 7,james i4 #ab74 ,think of those who have already landed on the happy shore1 but not till they had passed through the storm4 ,there are saints who have suffered1 and martyrs who have died for the ,lord6 ,they do not wish now that their trials had been less2--sweet is to them the remembrance of the storm6 ,when holy ,st4 ,john1 banished to ,patmos for the sake of the gospel1 saw heaven opened1 and its glory appearing1 what did he behold there8 ,these are his words3-- 8,after this ,i beheld1 and1 lo1 a great multitude1 which no man could number1 of all nations1 and kindreds1 and people1 and tongues1 stood before the throne1 and before the ,lamb1 clothed with white robes1 and palms in their hands4 ,and one of the elders answered1 saying unto me1 ,what are these which are arrayed in white robes8 and whence came they8 ,and ,i said unto him1 ,sir1 thou knowest4 ,and he said to me1 ,these are they which came out of great tribulation1 and have washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,therefore are they before the throne of ,god1 and serve him day and night in his temple3 and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them4 ,they shall hunger no more1 neither thirst any more2 neither shall the sun light on them1 nor any heat4 ,for the ,lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them1 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters3 and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes0 7,rev4 vii4 #i1 #ac-ag74 8,lord1 carest thou not that we perish60 ,how oft is the cry of despair1 ,when affliction's waves roll1 ,and the agonized soul ,scarce can utter its anguish in prayer6 ,yet the ,saviour is watching beside us1 ,his eye cannot slumber nor sleep2 ,the bark which he guides1 ,where his presence abides1 ,can never be wrecked on the deep6 ,oh6 how soon would our inward fears vanish1 ,our souls smile at perils without1 ,could we hear his mild love ,thus our terrors reprove1-- 8,ye of little faith1 why did you doubt60 ,lord1 make us trust ever in thee1 ,though our frail bark by tempests be driven2 ,till thy sovereign will ,bid the rude waves 8be still60 ,and we rest in the haven of heaven6 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,he ,,that ,,loveth ,,pleasure ,,shall ,,be ,a ,,poor ,,man4 ,prov4 #ba ,,viii4 ,,the ,,sabbath-,,tree4 ,it was on a bright ,sunday afternoon that the teacher1 ,willy ,thorn1 on returning from church1 met three of his scholars sauntering towards one of the ,london parks4 ,they perceived his approach at some little distance1 and instantly began to conceal in their pockets something that they had been carrying in their hands4 ,their nearness to a very tempting stall1 upon which fruit and sweetmeats were sold1 made ,willy guess too truly the cause of the hasty movement4 ,he thought it better1 however1 at first to take no apparent notice of the fact that the boys had been breaking the ,fourth ,commandment by buying upon ,god's holy day4 8,well1 my lads10 said ,thorn1 when he came up to them1 8you are going1 ,i see towards the park4 ,i will go with you2 we will enjoy the fresh air and bright sunshine together1 and perhaps have a little discourse1 which may be profitable as well as pleasant40 ,the boys were usually very fond of the society of ,willy ,thorn2 but just now1 with their pockets full of cakes and nuts1 they would have preferred being without it4 ,however1 no objection was made2 they reached the park1 and seated themselves under the shade of a large tree1 for the sun was hot1 and the shelter of the foliage was pleasant on that sultry afternoon4 ,willy ,thorn looked upwards at the leafy boughs which hung above him1 through whose screen a long bright ray1 here and there1 pierced like a diamond lance4 8,this tree has put an allegory into my mind10 said he4 8,boys1 are you in the mood for a story80 ,a story was always welcome1 and in the expectation of being amused1 the scholars half forgot that their teacher's presence was delaying their intended feast4 8,methought10 began ,thorn1 8that ,i had a dream2 and in my dream ,i beheld a large and venerable tree4 ,it was several thousand years old--so you may imagine its size2 but it showed no signs of age2 its leaves were as fresh1 its fruit as abundant1 as when the ,israelites of old encamped under its refreshing shade4 ,this tree was called the ,,sabbath-,,tree4 ,it was given by its ,lord as one of the richest blessings which was ever bestowed upon man4 ,freely might all partake of its fruit2 but all were forbidden by a voice ,divine to break even the smallest bough from the sacred tree4 8,i saw in my dream that many thronged to the spot where the ,sabbath-tree rose1 like a beautiful green temple1 in the midst of the plain2 and ,i stood aside to mark the effect of its fruit on those who came to gather it4 ,it strewed the ground in some places so thickly1 that it shone like a carpet of gold40 8,i suppose10 said ,bat ,nayland1 one of the boys1 8that the fruits of the ,sabbath-tree are1--going to church1 praying1 praising1 and reading the ,bible80 ,thorn smiled in assent1 and continued3 8,i saw one haggard man come1 faint with hunger1 to the spot4 ,he threw himself down on the soft grass1 and fed eagerly on the nourishment freely provided4 ,and ,i marked joy on his pale face as he ate of the fruit of the ,sabbath-tree1 and ,i remembered the holy words1 ,blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness1 for they shall be filled4 8,i saw an aged woman reach the tree4 ,she was so feeble that she had hardly power to stoop to gather the fruit2 but as she tasted it1 her strength returned1 her bent form became more erect1 she walked with a firmer step1 and ,i remembered that it is written1 ,they that wait upon the ,lord shall renew their strength4 8,next1 a miserable sufferer approached2 on his countenance was an expression of pain4 ,he was sick--grievously sick of the malady of sin1 fatal to all who cannot find a cure4 ,but he knew the healing powers of the tree4 ,he fed1 and even as he fed health returned to his faded cheek1 the anguish of his soul passed away1 and the sufferer found himself whole40 8,i thought10 said the eldest of the boys1 8that there was but one cure for sin60 8,true1 most true10 replied ,thorn1 with an approving look2 8but in due observance of ,sabbath duties1 we learn how to seek and where to find that cure4 8,i had watched in my dream1 with a rejoicing heart1 thousands gathering the precious fruit1 and receiving nourishment1 strength1 and healing2 but now1 alas6 my attention was attracted by yet greater multitudes1 who thronged to the spot only1 as ,i became painfully aware1 to break and injure the beautiful tree4 ,some enemy had hung up a hatchet on its trunk1 with ,disobedience marked on the handle1 and of this numbers made very free use to cut down large boughs from the tree4 8#8,i am going on a jovial merry-making in the country1' cried one2 #8,i and my family shall have a treat4 ,i want some wood to mend up my broken car4' 8#8,hold6' exclaimed the youth who had been healed1 attempting to stay the hand of the ,sabbath-breaker2 #8are there not six groves nigh at hand8--had you not better cut what you want from them8' 8#8,no6' cried the man impatiently1 swinging the hatchet aloft2 #8there is no tree so convenient as this6' and for the sake of a little pleasure in the country with merry companions1 he cut a branch from the ,sabbath-tree6 8,then came a woman with a face full of care4 ,she had not faith to trust in him who clotheth the lilies1 and provideth for the ravens4 #8,i want wood for a stall1' said she1 #8whereon to sell my sweetmeats4 ,i must earn some more pence for my living2 necessity owns no law2' and taking the hatchet of ,disobedience1 she also brought down a leafy bough1 treading under foot as she did so a quantity of the ripe1 precious fruit4 ,not content with thus breaking the ,sabbath herself1 she demanded that those who bought at her stall should each bring1 in addition to their money1 a fagot stolen from the holy tree60 ,when ,thorn came to this part of his story1 his scholars glanced consciously at each other4 ,they all now felt convinced that their teacher was aware that they had been buying from a stall on ,sunday4 8,it was grievous10 continued ,thorn1 8to see what multitudes trampled on the ,sabbath fruit1 broke away twigs1 snapped branches1 to help on their business or aid their amusements4 ,some wanted wickets for cricket1 one man required a handle for his spade2 and though a very little delay would have enabled them to procure wood from a lawful quarter1 they were too thoughtless1 too covetous1 or too impatient to reverence the ,sabbath-tree4 8,but soon ,i beheld in my dream1 that while none could faithfully partake of the fruit without benefit1 none without injury could break off a single branch4 ,as ,i watched1 much did ,i marvel to see how disobedience brought down punishment6 ,the man who had repaired his car by ,sabbath-breaking1 had little pleasure from his intended treat4 ,as he was driving from a public-house1 suddenly a wheel of the vehicle came off1 he and his party were flung out on the road1 and sorely bruised by the fall4 ,in some cases1 the wood so unlawfully taken appeared to turn at once into dust6 ,the man digging with his ,sabbath spade1 found it suddenly snap asunder1 and the splinter ran into his hand1 inflicting a terrible wound40 8,oh1 but how could that be80 exclaimed one of the boys4 8,many a fellow goes larking on ,sunday1 and the wheel of his car never comes off6 ,i don't know what this part of your story can mean40 8,it means10 replied ,willy gravely1 8that disobedience to ,god1 the wilful breaking of his holy commandment1 unless the sin be repented of and renounced1 is certain to bring punishment in another world1 and very frequently also in this4 ,there are multitudes of lost1 miserable sinners1 who may trace their first steps on the path of ruin to breaking the ,sabbath of ,god4 ,no one ever yet1 on his death-bed1 could say that he really profited by money so gained1 or that he had no reason to regret a pleasure gained by disobeying his ,maker's command4 8,the poor woman who sold sweetmeats1 ,i found in my dream1 was not long in suffering the penalty of disobedience4 ,in one of the fagots so sinfully laid upon her stall1 the serpent ,remorse had lain coiled1 unnoticed1 unseen6 ,as she was counting her unholy gains1 made by not only sinning herself1 but causing others to sin1 the fierce reptile darted at her breast6--with difficulty was the serpent torn from its hold1 and the poor sufferer sank on the ground1 bleeding1 fainting1 trembling at her danger1 and weeping for her sin6 ,it was some time before she was able feebly to creep to the spot where comfort and healing might yet be procured by a proper use of the fruits of the ,sabbath-tree4 8,while the poor woman was in sorrowful penitence1 doing all that lay in her power to show her regret for the past1 the boys who had purchased at her stall--who had wilfully broken the ,sabbath1 not to supply real wants1 but to indulge their own greedy inclinations--0 8,i'll tell you what one of them did1 sir60 exclaimed ,bat ,nayland1 springing up from the ground3 8he just emptied his pockets of what he had bought1 said that he was heartily ashamed1 and seeing an old lame beggar near1 he gave every crumb of his purchases to him60 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,lame ,,beggar4 ,and suiting his action to his words1 off darted the boy1 and astonished a ragged old man on crutches1 by bestowing upon him at once all his cakes and his nuts6 ,dear young readers6 if any of you have been tempted to disobey your ,master's commandment1 by buying on the day which the ,lord hath set apart for himself1 oh1 consider it not as a trifling transgression4 ,resolve with prayer henceforth never to break the smallest twig from the ,sabbath-tree1 but to feed on its sacred fruits with faith1 and hope1 and love4 ,be assured1 then1 dear children1 that they will become sweeter and sweeter to your taste1 and prepare you for the enjoyment of that ,tree of ,life which is in the midst of the paradise of ,god4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,he ,,that ,,walketh ,,uprightly ,,walketh ,,surely4 ,prov4 #aj3i ,,ix4 ,,the ,,white ,,robe4 8,what was that noise in the street80 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,claremont1 laying down the pen suddenly4 ,ella sprang to the window4 8,o mother1 something must have happened6 some accident6 there is a crowd collecting round a poor little girl60 8,we may be of some use60 cried ,mrs4 ,claremont1 and she and her daughter were at the street door in a few seconds4 8,what is the matter8 is any one hurt80 inquired the lady of a milk-woman who was standing looking on4 8,a child knocked down by a horse1 ,i believe1 ma'am4 ,they should take the poor thing to the hospital40 ,mrs4 ,claremont waited to hear no more2 the crowd made way for her1 and she was soon at the side of a young girl who was crying violently1 and the state of whose crushed bonnet and soiled dress showed that she had been down on the road4 8,i don't think there's any bones broken1 only she's frightened10 observed a baker among the spectators2 8,i saw the horse knock her down as she was crossing the road40 8,come this way1 my poor child1 out of the crowd10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont1 leading the little girl towards the house2 8we will soon see if the injury is severe40 ,the weeping child soon stood in the hall2 hartshorn and water was brought to her by ,ella1 but on tasting it1 the girl pushed it away in disgust1 in a peevish and irritable manner4 ,in vain ,mrs4 ,claremont sought for any trace of injury2 the road had been soft after much rain1 and not a scratch nor a bruise appeared2 yet still the girl cried as if in agony of pain or of passion4 8,where are you hurt80 inquired ,ella soothingly2 the child only answered by a fresh burst of tears4 8,i am thankful that no harm seems done10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont4 8,there is harm60 sobbed the girl2 8all spoiled1 quite1 quite spoiled60 8,what is spoiled80 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,spoiled ,,dress4 8,my dress1 my beautiful new dress60 and the ladies now observed1 for the first time1 the absurd and unsuitable manner in which the child had been clothed4 ,now1 indeed1 her finery was half covered with mud2 but the pink bonnet1 though crushed1 the white dress1 though stained and torn1 the gay blue necklace1 and hair in curl-papers1 showed too plainly the folly of the wearer4 8,what is your name80 inquired ,ella4 8,sophy ,trimmer40 8,where does your father live80 8,he lives just round the corner40 8,you should be very thankful that your life has been spared10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont4 ,sophy did not look at all thankful1 she only glanced sadly down on her torn dress1 and whimpered1 8,just new on to-day40 8,you remind me10 said the lady1 8of a story which ,i read in the papers some years ago4 ,a lady was going in a vessel to ,scotland1 and carried with her a quantity of jewels to the value of a thousand pounds4 ,she thought so much of these jewels1 that she was heard to say1 that she would almost as soon part with life itself as lose them4 ,an accident happened to the vessel on the way to ,scotland2 the water rushed into the cabins1 and the poor lady was taken out drowned40 8,that is a shocking story10 said ,sophy4 8,she could not carry her jewels with her to another world4 ,but there is one ornament which even death itself has no power to take away40 8,what can that ornament be80 8,an ornament more precious than the crown of the ,queen1 #8the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which is1 in the sight of ,god1 of great price' 7#a ,pet4 iii4 #d74 ,the poorest may wear this--the rich are poor without it4 ,o my child1 care not to appear fair in the eyes of your fellow-mortals1 but in the sight of ,god2 your #8adorning1 let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair1 and of wearing of gold1 or of putting on of apparel2 but let it be the hidden man of the heart1 in that which is not corruptible'0 7#a ,pet4 iii4 #c1 #d74 8,what do you mean by #8corruptible8'0 said ,sophy4 8,that which time can destroy4 ,nothing in this world lasts for ever3 flowers bloom and decay2 the fruit which was delicious one week1 the next is only fit to be thrown away2 the loveliest face grows wrinkled2 the finest form must soon turn to dust in the tomb40 8,i don't like to think of such things10 said ,sophy2 8they make me sad40 8,they would make us sad1 indeed1 were this world our all4 ,but we look forward1 in faith1 to a place where there is no corruption1 no change1 no death1 because no sin2 we hope to wear white robes in heaven which will never be defiled with a stain4 ,do you know1 ,sophy1 what makes them so white80 ,sophy shook her head4 8,we are all weak and sinful1 less fit to appear before a holy ,god in our own righteousness1 than you are to enter the ,queen's palace in those soiled garments4 ,it is #8the blood of ,jesus ,christ which cleanseth from all sin2' through his merits1 and his mercy1 you may appear spotless before the judgment-seat of ,god1 if you believe in him now1 and #8keep yourself from idols4'0 8,i have nothing to do with idols10 said the girl peevishly4 8,more perhaps than you think4 ,anything that you love better than the ,lord is an idol4 ,the miser loves money best2 that is his idol40 8,like old ,levi1 who half starves himself to scrape up pence10 interrupted ,sophy4 8,the ambitious man makes power his idol--some make their children their idols40 8,like ,mrs4 ,porter1 who--0 8,hush10 said ,mrs4 ,claremont1 8you have nothing to do with the idols of your neighbours2 try and find out what is your own40 8,i do not think that ,i have any40 8,do you then love ,god with all your heart8 ,is it your chief business to serve him2 your greatest delight to do his will80 8,no2 of course1 ,i like to amuse myself like other people40 8,have you ever given up any one thing to show your love to him who made you80 ,sophy looked vexed1 but made no reply4 8,whom do you like best to please8 ,whom do you like best to serve8 ,have you no idol which you decked out this very morning in all the finery which you could collect80 8,i suppose that you mean myself40 8,yes2 self is the idol of the vain1 their hopes and joys are bound up in self1 therefore their hopes and joys are amongst the corruptible things which must pass away4 ,o my young friend1 the foolish pleasures which you felt this morning in these fanciful clothes1 in one moment was changed to pain2 and but for the mercy of ,god1 your own poor body might now have been lying crushed and lifeless4 ,why rest your happiness upon that which cannot last1 and which may1 any hour1 be taken away from you for ever80 8,gay1 gaudy clothing always gives me a feeling of pain when ,i look upon it10 observed ,ella2 8,i believe that with so many it has been the first step to misery here and hereafter40 8,it is like the gay bait on the hook10 said her mother1 8not in itself deadly1 but covering a fatal snare4 ,oh1 #8love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,and the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof3 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever'0 7#a ,john ii4 #ae1 #ag74 ,illustration3 ,,whatsoever ,a ,,man ,,soweth ,,that ,,shall ,,he ,,also ,,reap ,x4 ,,crosses4 ,there was unusual silence in the little ,sunday school when ,ella ,claremont1 its gentle teacher1 entered it for the first time in deep mourning4 ,all had known of her sorrow2 all had heard that her brave young brother had died of wounds received in battle in a far distant land4 ,they thought of him whom they had seen some few months before so bright and happy1 with a smile and a kind word for all1 now lying cold in his bloody grave2 and there was not a heart in the school-room which did not feel sorrow and sympathy4 ,ella could not at first address her school2 her words seemed choked2 the tears gathered slowly in her eyes2 but she found strength in silent prayer1 and spoke at length to her pupils1 but in a trembling voice4 8,dear children1 ,i have had much sorrow since we last met and talked of the joys of heaven--a beloved brother has1 ,i trust1 through ,christ's merits1 joined the bright hosts rejoicing there4 ,but should not ,i meekly bear the cross which my heavenly ,father sees good to send me8 ,to every one passing through this life is given a cross--a trial to bear4 ,to some it is so light that they scarcely feel it2 with others so heavy that it bows them to the dust4 ,each of you knows1 or will know1 its weight4 ,but let none be afraid nor cast down4 ,the cross prepares for the crown4 ,there is something from ,god's ,word inscribed on every cross2 and if we have but faith to read it1 it makes the heavy1 light2 and the bitter1 sweet6 #8,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord' 7,rev4 xiv4 #ac71 is the inscription on mine40 ,every one passing through life has some cross to bear6 ,yes2 amongst those young girls assembled in the school-room there were some whose trials were deep1 who had much need to read the inscription to make them endure the burden4 ,dear reader1 are you in trial8 ,have you known what it was to weep when you had none to comfort you--to wish that the weary day were over1 or the more weary night at an end--to wonder why ,god sent you such sorrows8 ,for you ,i now write down what were the crosses of some of the children in ,ella's school2 for you ,i write down what were the inscriptions upon them4 ,perhaps you may find amongst them the same trial as your own1 and feel strengthened to bear your cross4 ,mary ,edwards was very poor--hers was a heavy cross4 ,one of seven children1 and her father blind2 often and often had she come to school faint with hunger and sick at heart4 ,but for the kindness of friends1 the family would have been half-starved4 ,mary had never known what it was to have a blanket to cover her2 very seldom had she been able to eat till she was satisfied2 her clothes had been mended over and over again1 to keep them from falling to pieces2 ill did they protect her when the cold wind blew through the broken pane1 or found its way through the crevices in her miserable hut4 ,yet ,mary had comfort in the midst of her poverty2 she remembered him 8who1 though he was rich1 yet for our sakes he became poor40 ,she had read the inscription on her cross3 8,hath not ,god chosen the poor of this world rich in faith1 and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him80 7,james ii4 #e74 ,and ,mary would meekly repeat the hymn of good ,bishop ,heber3-- 8,the cross our ,master bore for us1 ,for him we fain would bear2 ,but mortal strength to weakness turns1 ,and courage to despair4 ,then pity all our frailty1 ,lord1 ,our failing strength renew2 ,and when thy sorrows visit us1 ,oh1 send thy patience too60 ,amy ,blackstone never spoke of her cross2 she bore it in silence without complaining4 ,her father was a drunkard--her mother never entered the house of ,god4 ,if she heard the name of the ,holy ,one uttered in her home1 it was but in an oath or a profane jest4 ,she never complained1 as ,i have said2 for1 while others would have been complaining1 she was praying4 ,fervently did she pray for her unhappy parents--fervently for herself1 that evil example might not draw her from ,god4 ,many a silent tear she shed over her cross2 and this was the inscription upon it3 8,i reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us0 7,rom4 viii4 #ah74 ,all pitied ,ellen ,payne1 for her cross was sharp4 ,a lingering1 painful disease had taken the strength from her limbs1 the colour from her cheek4 ,she never rejoiced in one waking hour free from pain1 and often the night passed without sleep4 ,the doctors gave no hope1 medicine no relief4 ,she had nothing to look forward to but pain1 increasing pain1 till she should sink into an early grave4 ,this was her cross2 and this was the inscription upon it3 8,be thou faithful unto death1 and ,i will give thee a crown of life0 7,rev4 ii4 #aj74 ,jane ,white had been a deserted child2 she had never known a parent's care4 ,she seemed one of the neglected1 despised ones of earth1 with none to love her1 and none to love4 ,she felt lonely and desolate4 ,this was her cross2 and this was the inscription upon it3 8,when my father and my mother forsake me1 then the ,lord will take me up0 7,ps4 xxvii4 #aj74 ,illustration3 ,,ann ,,brown4 ,ann ,brown lived with her aunt4 ,few of the girls were better dressed1 or seemed more comfortably provided for1 than she4 ,had she1 then1 no cross to bear8 ,yes2 for she dwelt with a worldly family1 who laughed at her for being 8righteous overmuch40 ,when she would not join in profaning the ,sabbath--when she showed that she cared not for gay dressing or ill-natured gossip--she became the object of ridicule and scoffs1 more painful to bear than blows4 ,this was her cross2 but sweet was the inscription upon it3 8,if ye suffer for righteousness' sake1 happy are ye3 and be not afraid of their terror1 neither be troubled0 7#a ,pet4 iii4 #ad74 ,mary ,wade's cross was in the depth of her own heart--the struggle to conquer a passionate1 violent temper4 ,she desired to obey ,god1 she wished to live to his glory2 but sin seemed too strong for her2 she yielded to temptation again and again1 until she was almost in despair4 ,her health had been bad when she was an infant2 much of her peevishness and impatience were owing to the effects of this4 ,but no one seemed to make allowance for natural infirmity2 her companions did not like her2 and1 worst of all1 she felt that she was sinning1 and bringing discredit on the ,christian name4 ,poor child6 hers was an unpitied cross2 but there was hope in the inscription upon it3 8,there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man3 but ,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able2 but will with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it0 7#a ,cor4 x4 #ac74 ,elizabeth ,brown was a sad little girl1 but none knew the cause of her sadness4 ,she had once been the most thoughtless child in the school1 full of mischief1 full of gaiety1 never thinking of ,god4 ,her heart had been on earth--her only wish had been to enjoy herself4 ,much trouble and sorrow had she given to her gentle teacher1 much grief to her pious parents2 for she had laughed at good advice1 and cared little for punishment4 ,but now the gay child had grown thoughtful3 a text heard at church had struck her1 and sunk deep into her heart3 8,be not deceived2 ,god is not mocked3 for whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap4 ,for he that soweth to his flesh1 shall of the flesh reap corruption2 but he that soweth to the ,spirit1 shall of the ,spirit reap life everlasting0 7,gal4 vi4 #g1 #h74 ,what had she been sowing for eternity8 ,she thought of her neglected ,bible1 her broken ,sabbaths1 words of untruth and of unkindness1 her mother disobeyed1 her teacher disregarded6 ,could ,god forgive her after all that she had done8 ,would he ever admit her to heaven8 ,she feared that her sins were too many to be pardoned4 ,this fear was her cross4 ,oh6 praised be ,god for the precious inscription upon it3 8,the blood of ,jesus ,christ his ,son cleanseth us from all sin0 7#a ,john i4 #g74 ,jesus said1 8,him that cometh to me ,i will in no wise cast out0 7,john vi4 #cg74 ,blessed are they who thus mourn for sin1 for they shall be comforted4 ,blessed is the sorrow that worketh repentance6 ,blessed are they who so bear the cross that they shall inherit the crown6 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,buy ,,the ,,truth ,,and ,,sell ,,it ,,not4 ,prov4 #bc3bc4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,two ,,countries4 ,when walking through the streets of ,london1 have you not sometimes met a party of strangers1 and felt sure that they belonged to another land1 because they spoke not the ,english tongue8 ,had you listened to them1 you would not have understood them2 they conversed in the language of their own country4 ,my young friend1 what language do you speak8 ,if ,i knew but that1 ,i should soon guess to what country you belong4 ,perhaps you answer1 8,i am ,english4 ,i know no language but my own40 ,true1 in one sense you are ,english1 and you may thank ,god for it6 ,you were born in ,england1 and here may spend all the years or days of your mortal life4 ,but your real country is in another world1 where you will live for ever6 ,thousands and millions of years may pass1 but you will be still remaining in the country which you have chosen4 ,so1 again ,i ask1 ,what language do you speak8 ,to what country do you belong8 ,illustration3 ,,foreigners4 ,the one is a bright and glorious place1 where sorrow and pain are unknown4 ,its citizens are angels and redeemed saints1 who1 with shining crowns and harps of gold1 rejoice before the throne of ,god4 ,the language which they speak is ,,truth4 ,the other country is too terrible to describe4 ,happiness never enters there1 but pain1 grief1 and remorse abide for ever6 ,its inhabitants are the tempter and his evil ones--hardened sinners who would not repent1 who chose the broad way that leadeth to destruction4 ,and what is the language which its citizens have learned8 ,the language of ,satan is ,,falsehood4 ,o my dear young reader1 with anxious love would ,i once more repeat my question--let your heart answer it--,what language do you speak--to what country do you belong8 ,yet1 mistake me not4 ,there are some whose lips were never stained with falsehood1 who yet cannot be counted among the citizens of heaven4 ,the proud1 the self-righteous1 who trust to their own merits1 who love not the ,saviour who suffered for all1--these may have learned the language of truth1 even as foreigners may learn the tongue of our land2 but they belong not to the country of holiness and joy4 ,and others there are who have fallen into sin1 whom the 8father of lies0 has tempted and deceived2 yet ,god's mercy may prepare a heavenly home even for them1 if1 believing and repenting1 they turn to the truth4 ,thus1 ,st4 ,peter thrice uttered a terrible falsehood1 but repented with bitter tears1 and1 through the atoning blood of his ,lord1 was received into heaven a glorious martyr4 ,but oh1 dread a falsehood as you would dread a serpent2 it leaves a stain and a sting behind4 ,if you have ever been led into this deadly sin1 implore for pardon1 like ,st4 ,peter4 ,like ,st4 ,peter1 when next placed in temptation1 speak the truth firmly1 faithfully1 fearlessly2 for truth is the language of heaven4 ,there are four chief causes which lead to the guilt of lying--folly1 covetousness1 malice1 and fear4 ,examine your own life1 and see if any one of these has ever tempted you to utter a falsehood4 ,it was folly which made ,richard tell a traveller the wrong road when asked the way to the next village4 ,he thought little of the sin of his lie--it seemed to him but an excellent jest2 but the jest cost a neighbour his life6 ,the stranger was a doctor1 travelling in haste to attend a patient who had been taken with a fit4 ,richard's falsehood made the medical man lose half an hour1 when every minute was precious4 ,oh1 what anxious hearts awaited his arrival6 ,but he came too late2 he found the sufferer at the point of death1 with his desolate family weeping around him6 ,it was covetousness which made ,sally declare that her fruit had only been gathered that morning1 when she knew it to be the refuse of yesterday's market4 ,did she forget that ,god's eye was upon her--that her words could not pass unnoticed by him--that she would have to answer for them at the day of judgment8 ,it is covetousness that makes ,nelly stand begging in the streets1 telling to passers-by her pitiful tale of a father in hospital and a family starving4 ,will the money which she gains by falsehood and hypocrisy bring with it a blessing or a curse8 ,oh1 8,what is a man profited1 if he shall gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul80 7,matt4 xvi4 #bf74 ,it is malice that makes ,eliza invent strange stories of her neighbours4 ,she delights to spread a slander1 or to give an ill name4 ,she mixes a little truth with a great deal of falsehood1 and cares not what misery she inflicts4 ,whom does she resemble8 ,not the citizens of ,zion4 ,what language does she speak8 ,not the language of ,heaven4 ,it was cowardice which drew ,peter into falsehood when asked who had broken the china vase3 he dreaded a blow2 he dared not speak the truth4 ,do you not blush for him1 little reader1 who feared man rather than ,god8 ,how different is ,margaret ,lacy6 ,neither covetousness nor cowardice could ever make her pollute her lips with a lie4 ,she serves a ,god of truth2 she is learning on earth the language of heaven4 ,she was met one day returning1 with a sorrowful step and tearful eye1 from a house to which she had gone to try for a place4 8,well1 ,margaret10 said ,mrs4 ,porter1 8why so sad8 ,i fear that you have not succeeded40 8,no1 indeed10 sighed the poor girl4 ,illustration3 ,,margaret ,,and ,,mrs4 ,,porter4 8,and how was that8 ,i thought that you were pretty sure of being settled there comfortably40 8,why10 replied ,margaret1 8the lady asked me why ,i had left my last place2 so ,i told her that both ,i and the cook had been sent away because a bank-note had been lost in the house40 8,you were not so mad as to tell her that80 8,it was the truth10 calmly answered ,margaret4 8,what else could ,i have told80 8,well10 said ,mrs4 ,porter1 8at that rate you will never get a place40 8,god help me60 said poor ,margaret1 meekly4 8,he will not let me starve for obeying his word4 ,i never touched the bank-note40 8,i believe you10 answered her neighbour2 8for ,i do not think that you ever spoke an untruth in your life40 ,and ,margaret did get a place4 ,carter1 the butcher1 engaged her the next day4 8,say nothing against her to me10 he cried4 8,i know the girl2 she would sooner touch red-hot iron than money that was not hers4 ,and as for truth1 ,i'd take her word against the oaths of a dozen60 ,once1 as ,margaret was cleaning out the parlour1 not perceiving her master's new watch1 which lay on the table concealed by a newspaper1 she threw it by accident down to the ground4 ,startled and alarmed1 she raised it and put it to her ear1 longing to hear the regular beat1 which might show that it was unhurt4 ,alas6 all was quite still--what mischief she had done6 ,margaret dreaded her master1 who was a passionate man2 she dreaded1 perhaps1 losing her place4 ,she might have replaced the watch on the table1 and said nothing2 its stopping might be thought accidental4 ,but ,margaret would not stoop to hide the truth any more than to tell a lie4 ,with a beating heart and a trembling hand she carried the watch to her master1 and confessed the whole truth4 ,was she dismissed or struck1 as she had feared that she might be8 ,no2 ,carter1 vexed as he was1 could not but admire her honesty and candour4 8,well1 ,margaret10 he cried1 8were your life to depend on it1 ,i don't believe you would buy life itself with a lie40 ,can this be said of you1 reader8 ,if not1 oh1 pray for forgiveness of your sin1 and for grace from this hour to forsake it4 ,may ,god enable you to speak the truth from your heart1 and to learn upon earth the language of heaven6 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,hand ,,of ,,the ,,diligent ,,maketh ,,rich ,,xii4 ,,do ,,you ,,love ,,god8 ,the following anecdote was given as a fact by a clergyman at ,hampstead1 in a sermon to children3-- ,a gentleman1 travelling on a railway1 was much struck by the vivacity of a lovely little girl about five years of age1 who1 with her mother1 happened to be travelling in the same carriage1 and he took a great deal of notice of the child4 ,about ten minutes before the train reached the station at which the lady and her daughter were to alight1 the little one went up to the gentleman1 and putting her lips close to his ear1 asked softly1 8,do you love ,god80 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,child',s ,,question4 ,the traveller1 who apparently was not a devout man1 was so startled by the unexpected question1 that he coloured to the roots of his hair2 and the child1 seeing his confusion1 and probably frightened at her own boldness1 retreated1 and hid her face on her mother's bosom until the train stopped at the station4 ,but her solemn question had sunk deep into the mind of the traveller4 8,do you love ,god80 he repeated to himself again and again4 ,for a long period the words haunted him1 till at length he was able to give to them the only reply which a true ,christian can give4 ,about two years afterwards1 the gentleman happened to be in the town at which he had left his little fellow-traveller on that never-to-be-forgotten day4 ,while passing along it1 he fancied that he saw at a window the face of the mother of the child4 ,his desire to see the little one to whom he owed so much was so great1 that he could not refrain from knocking at the door and introducing himself to the lady4 ,upon seeing her1 he inquired after her lovely child4 ,the lady was dressed in mourning4 ,god had sent her heavy affliction2 her sweet girl now slept in the silent tomb4 ,the mother took the stranger to a room1 in which were laid out various trifles which had belonged to her darling4 8,it may interest you to see these10 she said2 8these are all that remain of my child40 8,oh no60 exclaimed the traveller2 8here am ,i60 and he related to the wondering parent how the word spoken in season by those infant lips had been the means of leading him to his ,god4 ,even that feeble child had done her work for her ,master before he called her to her rest2 even that feeble child had been given a soul to be her 8joy and crown of rejoicing for ever40 ,o dear young reader6 how would you now answer that whispered question1 8,,do ,,you ,,love ,,god80 ,could your heart give the reply1 8,i love him because he first loved us08 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,,enter ,,not ,,into ,,the ,,path ,,of ,,the ,,wicked4 ,prov4 ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,imperfect ,,copy4 8,always busy at your drawing1 ,edwin80 said his elder brother ,henry1 as he entered the school-room one morning4 ,edwin looked up for a moment with a smile1 and then went on tracing with evident pleasure the outline of a face4 ,his brother came behind him1 and looked over his shoulder2 ,edwin listened for his remarks1 though without ceasing to draw4 8,you are taking pains1 ,i see10 said ,henry at last in a kindly tone2 8but ,i am afraid that you will have to use your india-rubber here1 and here2 these lines1 you may perceive1 are not in good drawing40 8,i don't see much wrong in them10 replied ,edwin1 suspending his pencil1 with something of vexation in his tone1 for he had expected nothing but praise4 8,if you compare them with your study1 you will perceive that all this outline is incorrect4 ,where is the study80 asked ,henry1 looking in vain for it on the table4 8,oh1 it's somewhere up-stairs10 said ,edwin4 8,i remember very well what it is like1 and can go on without looking at it every minute40 8,would you oblige me by bringing it80 said his brother4 ,edwin went up-stairs1 rather unwillingly1 and soon brought down a beautiful study2 a face most perfect in form and expression4 ,henry silently put the two pictures together4 ,edwin gazed with bitter disappointment on his own copy1 which but a few minutes before he had thought so good4 8,i shall never get it right60 ,edwin exclaimed1 in a burst of vexation2 and snatching up the unfortunate drawing1 he would have torn it asunder1 had he not been prevented by his brother4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,brother',s ,,criticism4 8,my dear ,edwin1 you have doubly erred2 first in being too easily satisfied1 and then in being too easily discouraged40 8,i shall never make it like that beautiful face60 cried the disheartened boy4 8,you need patience1 you need help1 you need1 above all1 often to look at your copy40 ,edwin took up the pencil which he had flung down1 and carefully and attentively studied the picture4 ,he found very much in his copy to alter1 very much to rub out2 but at last he completed a very fair sketch1 which he presented1 with a little hesitation1 to his brother4 8,i shall have this framed1 and hung up in my room10 said ,henry4 8,oh1 it is not worth that60 exclaimed ,edwin1 colouring with pleasure and surprise4 8,not in itself1 perhaps10 replied ,henry2 8but it will serve often to remind us both of an important truth which was suggested to me when ,i saw you labouring at your copy40 ,edwin looked in surprise at his brother1 who thus proceeded to explain his words3-- 8,we1 dear ,edwin1 as ,christians1 have all one work set before us3 to copy into our lives the example set us by a heavenly ,master4 ,it is in the ,bible that we behold the features of a character perfect and pure4 ,but how many of us choose rather to imagine for ourselves what a ,christian should be like6 ,we aim low2 we are content with little progress2 we perhaps please ourselves with the thought of our own wisdom and goodness1 while every one but ourselves can see that our copy is wretched and worthless40 8,what are we to do80 asked ,edwin4 8,we must closely examine the study set us in the ,bible2 we must compare our lives with ,god's law2 and we shall then soon find enough of weakness and sin to make us humble ourselves before ,god4 ,when we read of the meekness and gentleness of ,christ1 we shall be ashamed of our own passion and pride2 when we find how holy was our great ,example1 we shall be grieved to think how unlike to him we are40 8,we can never make a good copy10 sighed ,edwin2 8we may just give up the attempt at once40 8,you judge as you did when you wished to tear up your picture in despair1 as soon as you saw how imperfect it was4 ,no1 no1 my dear boy2 ,i say to you now1 as ,i said to you then1 you need patience1 you need help1 help from the good ,spirit of ,god2 and1 above all1 you need to look often at your study1 to keep the character and work of your ,lord ever before your eyes40 8,but if ,i do my best1 ,i shall still fall so short60 8,i know it10 said ,henry gravely2 8but feeling that you never can reach perfection here1 should not prevent your aiming at it4 ,god will complete his work in the hearts of his servants1 not on earth1 but in heaven4 ,there the copy1 feebly commenced below1 shall be made a likeness indeed6 ,for what says the ,word of ,god3 ,we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him1 for we shall see him as he is60 8,to see the ,lord1 and to be made like him2 it seems too much to hope for60 cried ,edwin4 8,it is not more than ,god has promised10 replied ,henry1 8to those who come to the ,saviour by faith4 ,worthless as our copy is in itself1 it will be glorified1 made beautiful1 made perfect2 and will be raised to a place of honour in the mansions of our heavenly ,father60 ,illustration ,illustration ,,xiv4 ,a ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,crimea4 ,i daresay that you have heard of the war in the ,crimea4 ,perhaps you have a father or a brother in the army1 and have often listened to stories of the brave and noble conduct of our soldiers on the terrible field of battle4 ,i am going to tell you of one of the bravest and noblest actions that happened during the whole course of the war1 though my hero never drew a sword nor fired a musket at the ,russians4 ,after the fearful battle of ,alma1 when the victory had been won by the ,english and the ,french1 after the cannon had ceased to roar or the foe to fight1 a long painful task remained for the victors--to attend to the wounded and to bury the dead4 ,at last our poor sufferers were removed to the ships1 and only mounds of earth showed where hundreds of the killed lay in their bloody graves2 and the army was ready to move on to attack the enemy in another place4 ,but more than seven hundred poor fellows were still stretched on the ground--not1 like the dead1 beyond reach of earthly pain1 but covered with wounds and gore--some with their legs and arms shot away1 some unable to move1 groaning in terrible agony1 and wishing in vain for death to put an end to their misery4 ,and who1 do you think1 were these wounded men8 ,they were ,russians1 and our enemies6 ,their bayonets had been red with the blood of our brave soldiers2 they had fired the shots which made so many widows and orphans in ,england4 ,and now1 what was to be done with all these miserable sufferers8 ,our army could not carry them along with it2 they must be left behind4 ,poor helpless ,russians6 if none dressed their wounds1 they must perish2 if none gave them food1 they must starve4 ,there was a ,british surgeon1 of the name of ,thomson1 who resolved to separate himself from all his friends1 to stay behind to take care of his wounded enemies4 ,we may fancy that he had a long struggle in his mind before he could decide upon this generous act4 ,selfishness might whisper to him many reasons for leaving the poor ,russians to their fate4 8,what60 we can imagine some friend saying to the surgeon1 8would you remain here alone in the midst of enemies1 some of whom1 it is said1 have even fired at ,englishmen who were bringing them relief4 ,if the ,tartars should attack you1 who will defend you8 ,you cannot depend upon these wounded ,russians4 ,then think of the labour which you are undertaking4 ,no one man can possibly dress the wounds of seven hundred2 you can only help a few1 or die yourself of fatigue4 ,no1 be wise2 leave these wretched men to the chance of some of their own people coming to assist them2 you know that there is not one amongst them who would not have willingly killed you1 had it been in his power40 ,dr4 ,thomson may have heard words such as these1 but they did not change his generous resolution4 ,the ,british army marched away2 he and his soldier-servant remained behind1 saw their friends and comrades all disappear in the distance1 and then turned to their noble but sickening work1--binding up the ghastly wounds of their enemies4 ,illustration3 ,,noble ,,work4 ,do you not think that ,dr4 ,thomson deserved a rich reward for all this8 ,i do not doubt that he has received a reward1 but not from man1 for his labours of love shortened his life4 ,in a few days the generous1 self-devoted surgeon followed to the grave the brave soldiers who died fighting for their ,queen4 ,and shall not his name be honoured as well as theirs8 ,we trust that he died prepared for the great change1 full of faith and hope as well as charity2 and we may also trust that some of those whose lives he had been the means of saving lived to know their ,saviour1 and to serve ,god upon earth1 and that they will one day meet their generous friend in heaven4 ,but it is not of ,dr4 ,thomson that ,i would speak to you now1 but of ,one of whose mercy and love all the noblest deeds of his servants are but as a faint1 dim shadow4 ,and first let me ask you1 dear child1 ,do you know what sin is1 that from which all sorrow comes8 ,it is sin that causes cruelty and strife in the world4 ,it is sin that gives a worse wound than any sword or cannon-ball2 for they may destroy the body1 but sin destroys the soul4 ,and now let me ask you another question3 ,do you know that we are all by nature wounded by sin2 that we are all unable to help ourselves1 even like those poor ,russians2 that if left to ourselves we must all die--,i mean1 lose the everlasting life of heaven8 ,yes2 this was the state of the whole world4 ,it was all lying in wickedness1 therefore lying in danger2 and not one of us could have been saved--no1 not one--had not the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 taken pity on our sad state1 and left heaven and all its glory1 its light1 and its joy1 to come and labour to help miserable sinners4 ,not only did he labour1 but he died to save us2 he suffered himself to be nailed to the cross1 that he might heal the wounds which sin had made1 and give us health and life never-ending6 ,but perhaps you will say3 8,i do not think that ,i am among the wounded4 ,i do not think that ,i need any one to save me40 ,oh6 my child1 have you ever thought over your life1 or recalled your actions1 words1 and thoughts1 during one day8 ,have you never been disobedient to a parent1 or unkind to a companion8 ,has your mouth never spoken words that were ill-natured or false8 ,have you never been proud1 discontented1 or selfish8 ,does not your conscience tell you that you have been wounded by sin8 ,now1 let me tell you how you may find healing4 ,and1 first1 you must believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 you must believe that he died for sinners1 and that he is willing to save all who ask him for pardon and mercy4 ,then you must be sorry for and leave off your sins1 praying to ,god to help you to amend4 ,a child who says that he repents1 and then goes and sins just as readily as before1 is like a wounded man who1 when the surgeon has dressed the injured place1 tears off the bandage and will not let it heal4 ,and oh6 you must love the ,saviour with your whole heart4 ,can you help loving him who has loved you so much8 ,think of the glory which he left2 was it not left for you8 ,think of the blood which he shed2 did it not flow for you8 ,think of the death which he endured2 was it not borne for you8 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,fear ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,is ,,the ,,beginning ,,of ,,wisdom4 ,prov4 ix4 #aj ,,xv4 8,i ,,have ,a ,,home1 ,a ,,happy ,,home60 ,i have a home1 a happy home1 ,and friends to love me there2 ,with daily bread ,i still am fed1 ,have still warm clothes to wear2 ,i've health and strength in every limb1-- ,how grateful should ,i be6 ,how shall ,i show my love to ,him ,who shows such love to me6 ,many are blind1 or deaf1 or lame1-- ,i hear the sweet birds sing1 ,can bound along ,with joyful song1 ,can watch the flowers of spring4 ,no wasting pain my eye to dim1 ,from want and sickness free2 ,how shall ,i show my love to ,him ,who shows such love for me6 ,and blessings greater still than these ,a gracious ,god has given1-- ,the precious word ,of ,christ our ,lord1 ,to guide my feet to heaven4 ,among the shining cherubim ,i trust my home shall be2 ,how shall ,i show my love to him ,who shows such love to me6 ,my ,god6 ,i am a feeble child1 ,oh1 teach me to obey2 ,with humble fear ,to serve thee here1 ,to watch1 and praise1 and pray6 ,my love is weak1 my faith is dim1 ,but grace ,i ask from thee1 ,that ,i may prove my love to him ,who loved and died for me6 ,illustration3 ,,finis