,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,,new ,,stories ,,by ,a ,l ,o ,e ,illustration3 ,the ,look of the ,thing4 ,,new ,,stories ,the ,look of the ,thing and ,other ,stories ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,general ,,protestant ,,episcopal ,,sunday ,,school4 ,,union ,,and ,,church ,,book ,,society4 #gfb ,,broadway4 #ahfe4 ,,published ,,through ,,the ,,offerings ,,of ,the ,sunday ,school ,,of ,,trinity ,,church1 ,,bridgeport1 ,,conn4 ,,contents4 ,no4 #a ,,the ,,look ,,of ,,the ,,thing4 ,no4 #b ,,good-,,bye4 ,no4 #c ,,good ,,for ,,nothing4 ,no4 #d ,,how ,,like ,,it ,,is6 ,,new ,,stories ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,no4 #a--,,the ,,look ,,of ,,the ,,thing4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,general ,,protestant ,,episcopal ,,sunday ,,school4 ,,union ,,and ,,church ,,book ,,society4 #gfb ,,broadway4 #ahfe4 ,,the ,,look ,,of ,,the ,,thing4 ,,rebecca ,,burton and ,lydia ,white sat chatting over their tea4 ,they were near neighbours1 for they dwelt opposite to each other2 and ,rebecca1 who earned her living by going out washing and charing1 and had but a lonely time of it during the long winter evenings1 was often invited by kind ,widow ,white to share a meal with her and her little daughter ,agnes4 ,not that ,rebecca was one whose society gave much pleasure to her friend3 she was a bustling1 gossiping woman1 very full of her neighbours' concerns4 ,where there is little thinking1 there is apt to be much talking2 it has been well said that only empty bottles are never corked up4 ,little ,agnes1 with her large black attentive eyes1 sat perched on a high chair beside her mother1 listening to every word that was spoken1 and not a little amused by ,rebecca's idle gossip4 ,while slice after slice of buttered toast and tea-cake were despatched1 cup after cup of good black tea poured from the shining tea-pot1 the guest talked as eagerly and as fast1 as if talking were the business of life4 ,well1 ,mrs4 ,white1 said ,rebecca1 helping herself for the third time from the well-filled plate1 ,i think that you've always had a bit of a fancy for that ,mrs4 ,miles1 but she's not a person to my mind4 ,would you believe it now1 when the subscription went round for the poor weavers1--and even ,i1 hard up as ,i often am1 could manage to drop a bit of silver into the plate1--,mrs4 ,miles was not ashamed to put in only a penny6 ,and she with a house and shop of her own6 ,i'm sure1 if ,i'd been she1 ,i'd a deal rather have given nothing at all6 ,what a mean creature ,mrs4 ,miles must be1 thought little ,agnes to herself4 ,perhaps1 said ,mrs4 ,white in her quiet tone1 you do not know that for the last year ,mary ,miles has been struggling hard to pay the debts brought on by her husband's long illness4 ,she1 no doubt1 feels it her duty to be just before she is generous1 and however willing to give much1 knows that it would not be honest to do so4 ,oh1 but think of the look of the thing6 exclaimed ,rebecca2 who was to know of her debts8 ,but ,mrs4 ,miles1--she's an odd woman1 continued the charwoman1 lowering her voice1 though not sufficiently so to prevent every word being heard by ,agnes3 though people say she's so good1 ,i take it she's not all that folk fancy her to be4 ,you think it right to go to church regularly1 don't you8 ,i often see you there with your little girl4 ,mother always goes to church1 exclaimed ,agnes1 even if it is raining ever so hard6 ,that's right1 said ,rebecca1 approvingly2 it always looks well when one is never missed from one's place in church4 ,but ,i've noticed that ,mrs4 ,miles has kept away these last two ,sundays1 and ,i know that she has not been ill1 for ,i've seen her on week-days serving in the shop4 ,even if she don't care for religion1 ,i wonder that she don't attend steadily1 if but for the look of the thing4 ,mrs4 ,miles goes to church for something better than the look of the thing1 said the widow1 with a quiet smile2 ,i am so glad that you mentioned the subject to me1 that ,i may be able to set you right4 ,these last two ,sunday mornings have been spent by ,mary ,miles in nursing poor sick ,annie ,norris1 that her daughter may go to church2 and then1 in the evening1 ,mary herself attends a place of worship with her husband4 ,i think it a privilege to go to the house of prayer1 but ,i believe that ,mary ,miles is doing her ,master's work just as truly while nursing a poor sick neighbour1 reading the ,bible to her1 and giving up her ,sunday rest that another may be able to enjoy it1--as if she attended every service in the church4 ,ah1 well1 exclaimed ,rebecca1 half impatiently1 you are always one to find excuses2 you're ready enough to stand up for your friends6 ,another drop of tea1 if you please1 and she pushed her cup across the table4 ,then1 turning towards little ,agnes1 she said1 in a different tone1 ,you must come and pay me a visit some day1 my dear1--,i have something to show you worth the seeing4 ,i've been subscribing for a long long while to the ,illustrated ,bible1 and with some money which ,i got as a ,christmas box1 ,i've had the numbers bound together into such a beauty of a book4 ,but ,i dare say that your mother has done the same1--she's one to honour the ,bible1 as all know4 ,whenever one sees a large handsome ,bible in a parlour1 to my mind it's a kind of sign of the respectability of the people in it4 ,none of your nick-nacks1 say ,i2 give me a well-bound ,bible1 with shining edges and gilded cover6 and ,rebecca1 proud of owning such a volume1 sipped her tea with an air of the utmost self-satisfaction4 ,mother1 said little ,agnes1 your ,bible is very old1--it has not a bit of gilding upon it1 ,could we not buy a new one8 ,my old ,bible is more precious to me1 said ,mrs4 ,white1 than any new one could be4 ,it belonged to my own dear mother4 ,it is shabby1 though1 observed ,rebecca1 glancing at the plain black volume which lay on a shelf2 you might any ways have it new bound1--you should think of the look of the thing4 ,it is in good repair1 said ,mrs4 ,white2 ,i am quite contented with my ,bible as it is4 ,rebecca gave a little meaning nod of her head1 as if to say1 ,i care more for the ,bible than you do1 though everybody thinks you a saint4 ,nothing more1 however1 passed on the subject2 and the guest soon afterwards took her departure4 ,agnes1 with her thoughtful black eyes fixed upon the old ,bible1 sat for a while in silence1 turning over in her young mind the conversation that had passed between her mother and their neighbour4 ,what is my quiet little lassie dreaming about8 asked ,mrs4 ,white1 who was clearing away the tea things4 ,mother1 replied ,agnes slowly1 ,i was thinking over what ,rebecca ,burton said about ,mrs4 ,miles1 and your ,bible which looks so old4 ,you and she didn't seem to feel alike4 ,is it not right1 dear mother1 to care for the look of the thing8 ,it is right to care something for appearances1 but a great deal more for realities1 quietly observed ,mrs4 ,white4 ,i do not understand you at all1 said ,agnes2 is it not a good thing1 mother1 to give to the poor1 to go to church2 and to honour the ,holy ,bible8 ,a very good thing1 my child1 if done not to win the praise of men1 but from the motive of love to ,god4 ,i do not know what 'motive' means1 said ,agnes4 ,it is the spring or cause of our actions4 ,two persons may give exactly the same sum to help a poor creature in great distress4 ,one gives her shilling for the look of the thing1 because she wishes the world to think her generous2 the other gives it for the love of ,god1 and so that ,he accept her offering1 cares not if her gift be known by not one being on earth4 ,you must see that the motive of the second is piety1 the motive of the first is pride4 ,both women do the same thing1 but one does it to please ,god1 while her neighbour only pleases herself4 ,but so long as the money is given1 said ,agnes1 ,i don't see that the motive matters very much4 ,it matters everything1 observed ,mrs4 ,white1 in the eyes of ,him who readeth the heart4 ,the cause of so much self-righteousness in the world is this3 people1 respectable people ,i mean1 count up all their own kind actions1 and never take the trouble of searching into their motives at all4 ,how few would say to themselves1 ',i am honest indeed1 but only because ,i have found that the honest thrive best in the end2' ',i go to church regularly1 but only because it is thought a respectable thing to do so2' ',i give freely1 but only because ,i could not bear my neighbours to call me mean2' ',i pay what ,i owe1 but only because if ,i did not1 no one would trust me again4' ,do you not see1 my child1 that in all this the love of ,god is not the motive8 ,if as much gain1 and respect1 and praise could be had by breaking ,god's laws as by keeping them1 those who now do good deeds to be seen of men1 would do evil ones in their stead4 ,perhaps little ,agnes was growing sleepy1 for ,mrs4 ,white could not help perceiving that the child did not follow her argument4 ,the mother did not try to explain herself further2 she waited for some opportunity of making her little daughter understand more clearly the truth which was so plain to herself4 ,on the following morning ,agnes came running up to her mother with a look of delight4 ,see1 see6 she exclaimed1 ,what a beautiful watch my uncle has given me6 and she held up for the widow's admiration a very pretty toy watch6 ,it looks just as well as yours1 mother1 indeed ,i think it much the prettier of the two4 ,just see1--it has a chain1 and seals1 and a nice shining face1 with all the hours marked on it1 and slender little bright hands that ,i can move to any part with my key6 ,is not my little watch just as good as yours1 mother8 ,as far as the look of the thing goes1 yes1 my dear1 replied the smiling parent4 ,there's hardly any difference between them1 said ,agnes2 only mine looks a little the brighter1 because1 you know1 it is new4 ,please tell me the time1 the exact time1 that ,i may set my watch right4 ,a quarter of ten1 said ,mrs4 ,white4 ,with pride and pleasure little ,agnes turned the hands1 till they pointed just to the hour4 ,it was almost time for her to set off for school1 which she did in very high glee1 showing to all the companions whom she met the beautiful present of her uncle4 ,i am back a little earlier than usual1 am ,i not1 mother8 were the first words of ,agnes ,white1 when she returned from morning school4 ,oh1 you need not look at your watch1--you know ,i have now a watch of my own6 ,agnes pulled out her bright little toy1 and there were the hands exactly where she had placed them1 pointing to a quarter of ten6 ,did you expect them to move1 when there was no mainspring inside8 asked the widow with a smile4 ,agnes scarcely knew whether to look vexed or amused4 ,i was a stupid little girl to fancy that they would move1 said she2 mine is a very pretty watch1 but it is only good to be looked at1 and she laid it down on the table with an air of disappointment4 ,ah1 my child1 said ,lydia ,white1 gently drawing her little daughter towards her2 is not the watch without springs like that of which we were yesterday speaking1 good conduct without a good motive8 ,the most precious part of a real watch is that part which is unseen2 and in like manner1 it is the hidden motive for any good act which alone can give it true value4 ,but ought we never to care how our conduct appears8 asked the child4 ,yes1 my ,agnes1 replied her mother1 for those who have been bought with a price1 even the precious blood of ,god's dear ,son1 are called to glorify their heavenly ,master both with their bodies and their souls4 ,we are called so to live that the world may say1 ',there must be power in religion1 for none are so honest1 so true1 so kind as those who are servants of ,god4' ,i don't quite understand1 said ,agnes4 ,look again1 dear child1 at my watch1 it may help to make the subject clearer4 ,you know that the watch is a good one1 you know that the mainspring is right4 ,agnes nodded her head4 ,how is it that you know8 asked her mother4 ,the hands always point to the right place1 replied ,agnes2 they go just the same as the church clock4 ,but suppose that we pull off the hands1 said the widow4 ,o mother1 that would be a pity1--you never would do such a thing6 ,if the hands were off1 you might1 wind up the watch1 and the watch might go1 but it would be of no use to others4 ,nor would it1 do honour to its maker1 my child4 ,now turn front the watch to the subject which ,i am trying to explain by its means4 ,if the motive of love to ,god be like the mainspring to a ,christian1 the cause of all his good actions1 his outward conduct is like the hands whose steady movements show that the mainspring is within4 ,if they are constantly right1 we believe that the hidden wheels are right1 we know that the watch has been wisely made1 carefully regulated1 daily wound up4 ,so when the ,christian quietly goes on his circle of duties1 ever seeking1 by the help of ,god's grace1 to do the will of his ,lord1--he shows to the world a living example of the power and truth of religion2 he does good not for the look of the thing1 but because the love of ,christ constraineth him to act as conscience directs4 ,and then others1 seeing the good example1 may be led to follow it1 observed ,agnes1 upon whose mind the meaning of her mother was now dawning4 ,it is a common saying1 ,agnes1 that 'example is better than precept1' observed ,mrs4 ,white4 ,if we must search carefully into our motives for the sake of our own souls1 we must also be watchful over our conduct1 for others' sakes as well as our own4 ,never can we too earnestly study1 too carefully follow the ,saviour's command which refers to the outward behaviour of those who have the hidden motive of love1--',ye are the light of the world4 ,a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid4 ,let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven4' 7,matt4 v4 #ad1 #af47 ,,new ,,stories ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,no4 #b--;,,good-,,bye4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,general ,,protestant ,,episcopal ,,sunday ,,school4 ,,union ,,and ,,church ,,book ,,society4 #gfb ,,broadway4 #ahfe4 ,illustration3 ,no4 #b4 ,,good-,,bye4 ,,good-,,bye4 ,,good-,,bye to you1 ,mr4 ,aylmer2 ,i'm sorry that we're not to see you again till the summer4 ,you've always been ready with a good word1 ay1 and a helping hand too for the poor4 ,i'll miss your pleasant smile in those dull1 dark wintry days as have little enough to light 'em4 ,and little ,emmy--she'll miss you too1 won't you1 my lamb8 said the ,widow ,cowell1 as she lifted up in her arms a pretty blue-eyed child of about four years of age1 to bid good-bye to the ,catechist who was going to a distant part1 of the country4 ,good-bye1 ,mary ,cowell1 said ,aylmer1 shaking with kindness the thin hand which the widow held out2 and good-bye to you1 dear little one1 he added1 as bending forward he kissed the brow of the child1 between her clustering locks of gold4 ,it's a solemn word1 'good-bye1' when we think of the meaning that's in it4 ,i did not know as how it had any particular meaning1 said ,mary4 ,it's a word that we're always a-saying1 and sometimes with a heavy heart4 ',good-bye1' is ',god-be-with-you1' shortened to a single word4 ,it is a blessing to the one who departs1 echoed back to the one who remains4 ,god be with you1 ,mary ,cowell2 may you feel ,his presence in the street--in the shop--by your board--by your bed--in your heart6 ,you'll have many a temptation to struggle against--,god be with you in the hour of temptation6 ,you'll have many a trial to bear2 ,god be with you then1 and he will turn all these trials into blessings6 ,you've a little one there1 dear to your heart2 remember that1 like as a father pitieth his children1 so the ,lord pitieth them that fear him6 ,ay1 bless her heart6 ,i love her6 thought ,mary1 as she led her little girl back into the small room which she hired by the week1 in one of the back streets of ,london4 ,but if ,god pities me1 like as a father pitieth his children1 why does he so often leave me to want1 why does he make my lot so hard8 ,i'm sure ,i'd keep my darling from every trouble if ,i could1 and if ,i had the means1 she should sleep as soft1 and fare as well as any little lady in the land6 ,and in truth ,mary ,cowell was a kind and tender mother4 ,the child had ever the largest share of the scanty meal1 and while the mother's shawl was threadbare1 soft and warm was the knitted tippet that wrapt the little girl4 ,mary took a pride in her ,emmy2 she never suffered her to run about the streets dirty and barefoot like many of the children of her neighbours4 ,emmy's face was washed1 and her yellow curls were smoothed out every morning1 and proudly did the fond mother look at her little darling4 ,the greatest sorrow which poverty brought to ,mary ,cowell1 was that it hindered her from giving every comfort and pleasure to her child4 ,mother1 said ,emmy on the following day1 as she watched the widow preparing to go out1 putting on her rusty black bonnet and thin patched shawl2 mother1 you won't take the basket2 it's ,sunday2 ,i hears the bells a-ringing4 ,i must go1 said ,mary with a sigh4 ,but didn't the good man tell us it was bad to go out a-sellin' on the ,sunday8 asked the child1 with a grave look of inquiry in her innocent eyes4 ,poor folk must eat1 said the widow sadly2 ,god will not be hard upon us if want drives us to do what we never should do if we'd only enough to live on4 ,may ,emmy go wid you1 mother8 ,no1 my lamb1 answered ,mary1 not to stand at the corner of the street in this bitter sharp wind1 and just catch your death of cold4 ,it chills one to the bones1 added the widow1 stirring up in her little grate the fire which burned brightly and briskly1 for the weather was frosty and keen4 ,mary then took the remains of the morning's meal1 the half loaf and small jug of milk1 and put them on the mantel-piece1 out of reach of the child4 ,her last care was to place a wire-guard before the fire4 ,having often to leave her little girl alone in the room1 ,mary dreaded her falling into danger1 and had1 by self-denial1 scraped up a sufficient number of pence1 to buy an old wire fire-guard4 ,now remain quiet there1 my jewel6 ,don't get into mischief1 said ,mary4 ,look at the pretty prints on the wall2 mother won't be long afore she comes back with something nice for her darling6 ,so saying the widow kissed the child1 took up her basket1 and went to the door4 ,good-bye1 mother6 cried ,emmy4 ,the last sound which ,mary heard as she went down the old creaking stair was the good-bye from the sweet little voice whose tones she loved so well4 ,she's a-blessing me without knowing it1 thought ,mary1 recalling the words of the ,catechist4 ,she's a-saying ',god be with you6' ,i'm afraid all's not right with me1 for it seems as if ,i couldn't take any comfort from the thought of ,god being with me6 ,it makes my conscience uneasy to know that ,he is watching me now that ,i'm a-going to break his law1 and sell on his holy day4 ,o reader6 ,if ever the thought of the presence of your heavenly ,father gives you a feeling of fear1 rather than a feeling of comfort1 be sure that you are wandering from the right way1 and--whatever excuse you may make for yourself--that you are doing or thinking something that puts your soul in danger6 ,as ,mary slowly made her way with her heavy basket to the corner of the street where she usually stood to sell1 a friend of hers passed her on the way1 but stopped and turned round to ask after ,emmy who had not been well4 ,a few words were exchanged between the two women1 and then the friend1 who had a ,prayer-book in her hand1 said1 ,i can't stop longer now2 ,i don't like to be late for church4 ,good-bye1 ,mrs4 ,cowell4 ,good-bye6 repeated poor ,mary4 ,ah6 she said with a sigh1 as she watched her friend hastening on1 ,god will be with her1 to bless her1 for ,i know that ,martha serves ,him4 ,oft-times ,i've heard her say1 ',the ,lord is my ,shepherd1 ,i shalt not want2' and though she's no better off than myself1 it's wonderful1 it is1 how she has always had friends raised up for her in her troubles2 and when trials came the thickest1 how somehow or other a clear way out was always opened afore her6 ,martha says the best thing is to trust ,god and obey him1 and that we don't obey because we don't trust4 ,may be there's truth in that word2 for if ,i really believed what ,aylmer told me1 that ,god cares for me as ,i care for my ,emmy1 ,i should do even just as he bids me1 and keep this day holy4 ,but it's hard to be hindered getting my bread honestly on one day out of seven2 ,i don't see the harm in a poor widow woman selling a little on ,sundays4 ,and yet ,mary's mind was not easy2 she had learned enough of ,god's word to know that by selling her oranges and nuts upon the day which the ,lord has set apart for ,himself1 she was not only sinning herself1 but leading others into sin4 ,when little children thronged round her basket1 eager to buy her fruit1 ,mary could not forget--she wished that she could--the solemn warning of the ,lord3 ,whoso shall offend 7cause to sin7 one of these little ones which believe in me1 it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck1 and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea4 ,there was a struggle in the mind of ,mary between faith and distrust1--between duty and inclination--between the desire to follow her own will1 and the knowledge that in all things we ought to follow the will of ,god4 ,which side in the end won the victory will appear in the end of my story4 ,we will leave the widow doubting and hesitating at the corner of the street1 and return to little ,emmy1 whom her mother had left carefully shut up in her lodging4 ,the child amused herself for some minutes as the widow had desired her to do1 by looking at the coarse prints which were stuck with pins on the white-washed wall4 ,but ,emmy soon tired of this1 she had seen them so often before4 ,then she sat down in front of the fire1 and warmed her little red hands at the kindly blaze1 and wished that that tiresome wire-guard were away1 that kept so much of the glow out4 ,why should mother not let me get all the good of the fire8 said the little murmuring girl4 ,i'm sure there's no use in that thing that puts the fire in a cage1 and keeps me from doing what ,i like1 and making it blaze up high6 ,the child did not consider that one much older and wiser than herself was likely to have good reasons for putting on the guard4 ,emmy was no better judge of these reasons than the widow herself was of the wisdom which had fenced round the day of rest with the command1 ,on it thou shalt do no manner of work4 ,all that either mother or child had to do was simply to trust and obey4 ,but ,emmy had a wilful temper1 and could not bear anything like restraint4 ,presently from looking at the fire1 the child cast her eyes on the mantel-piece above it1 and the bread and white jug upon it4 ,why did mother put them up there1 when she knew that ,emmy might be hungry1 and want to eat before she comes home8 ,and impatiently the child stretched out her hand1 and rose on her tiptoes1 trying to reach the food4 ,she could not touch the lower part of the shelf2 and well was it for ,emmy that the guard so wisely placed over the fire1 prevented her little frock from catching the flame as she did so6 ,emmy will pull the chair to the place and climb up1 and get at the loaf6 cried the child1 determined by some means to have her own way1 and procure what she thought that she needed4 ,she ran off to a chair placed in a corner1 which was almost the only article of furniture1 besides the bed1 to be found in that bare little room4 ,but the chair was of clumsy and heavy make1 and had several articles heaped upon it2 all the efforts of ,emmy were of no avail to drag it out from its place4 ,the difficulty which she found in getting what she desired only served to increase the eagerness of the child1 and her determination to have the loaf which had been purposely placed out of her reach4 ,emmy was ready to cry1 and accuse her tender mother of unkindness4 ,and was she not in this but too much like many who doubt the love of their ,heavenly ,father because ,he has not placed in their hands what they think to be needful for their comfort8 ,at last a thought came into the mind of little ,emmy1 as she gazed1 through her tears1 at the fire4 ,she had not strength to move the big chair1 in vain she had struggled to do so2 but might she not manage to move the guard1 and would it not serve her for a footstool to reach the loaf on the mantel-piece8 ,but then mother had told her so often not to meddle with the guard6 ,why should mother forbid her to touch it8 ,the voice of discontent and distrust in the bosom of the little child1 was much the same as that whose whisperings had led ,mary ,cowell to go out selling on ,sunday4 ,with both parent and daughter it proved to be stronger than conscience4 ,emmy laid hold of the guard and shook it2 but old as it was1 she had not the power to pull it from its place4 ,presently1 however1 the child felt that though she could not pull she could lift it4 ,with eager pleasure ,emmy raised the guard high enough to release its iron hooks from the bars1 and then there was nothing to prevent her from removing the fence altogether4 ,emmy's first pleasure was to poke up the fire with the little rusty bit of a poker which she had seen her mother use for the purpose1 but which she herself had never been permitted to touch4 ,then1 eager to get at the loaf2 she put down the guard in front of the fire1 so that she might be able to step upon it4 ,wretched1 disobedient little child6 ,with one foot on that trembling1 yielding wire-work1 one hand stretched up to take food not lawfully her own1 her dress so close to the flame that in another moment it must be wrapt in a roaring blaze1 what can now save her from destruction8 ,suddenly the door opened1 and with a cry of terror ,mary ,cowell sprang forward in time--but just in time1 to snatch her only child away from a terrible death6 ,oh1 thank ,god--thank ,god--that ,i came home1 that ,he made me turn back6 exclaimed the widow1 bursting into tears4 ,little ,emmy was punished1 as she well deserved to be1 for breaking her mother's command1 and doing what she knew that she ought not to have done4 ,but ,mary ,cowell1 with a contrite heart1 owned to herself1 and confessed to ,god1 that she had deserved sharper punishment than her child4 ,there had been doubt and disobedience in both2 but the older sinner was the greater1 for she had most cause to trust the providence of a ,father who is almighty as well as all-good4 ,if the child had removed a guard carefully and wisely placed before the fire which1 while kept to its proper use1 is one of our greatest blessings1 but which to those who misuse it may prove the cause of burning and death2 what had the mother done8 ,she had tried on the ,lord's ,day to earn bread by treading her duty under foot1 by putting aside1 as far as she could1 that law by which the great ,god has fenced round ,his holy day1 ,thou shalt do no manner of work4 ,grateful for the warning given her1 never again did ,mary carry forth her basket on ,sunday4 ,henceforth1 by example as well as by precept1 she brought up her little one in the fear and love of ,god4 ,and when1 after many years1 the widow was called home to her soul's rest1 she could with peaceful hope thus bid her daughter farewell4 ,good-bye1 my loved one6 ,god be with you in your trouble1 ,he has never failed me in mine6 ',trust in the ,lord1 and do good2 dwell in the land and verily thou shall be fed4' ,good-bye1 until we meet again1 through the ,saviour's merits1--the ,saviour's love1--in ,his kingdom of glory6 ,,new ,,stories ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,no4 #c--;,,good ,,for ,,nothing4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,general ,,protestant ,,episcopal ,,sunday ,,school4 ,,union ,,and ,,church ,,book ,,society4 #gfb ,,broadway4 #ahfe4 ,,good ,,for ,,nothing4 ,,get away with ye1 for an idle good for nothing thief6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,paton1 as with an angry gesture she waved from her door a ragged miserable lad who stood before it4 ,never shall you be trusted with another errand by me6 ,to take the biscuits out of the very bag6 ,don't tell me you were hungry2 don't tell me you won't be after doing it again6 ,i was ready1 ,i was1 to give you a chance1 since ,i knew that you was a homeless orphan2 but ,i'll not be taken in twice6 ,go1 beg about the streets or starve1 or find your way to the workhouse1 or the jail6 ,i wash my hands of you1 ,i'll have nothing more to do with ye1 ,i tell you6 ,ungrateful and good for nothing as you are6 and as if to give force to her words1 ,mrs4 ,paton slammed the door in his face4 ,rob ,barker turned away from the house with the look of a beaten hound4 ,he knew that the reproaches of the woman were not undeserved1 that he had not been faithful to his trust4 ,deprived1 when a child1 of his parents' care1 brought up in the midst of poverty and vice1 growing even as the weeds grow1 uncared for and unnoticed1 save as something worse than useless1 he seemed as if born to be trampled upon2 he appeared to be bound by no kindly ties to the fellow-creatures who despised him4 ,a feeling of savage despair was creeping over his soul4 ,ay1 ,i'm good for nothing1 am ,i8 ,rob muttered1 as with slouching gait he sauntered down the street not knowing whither to go1 for all the world was alike to him1 a desert without a home4 ,almost fiercely he looked at the passers-by1 some on foot1 some in carriages1 some upon prancing steeds4 ,they are good for something1 thought ,rob2 they have their homes and their friends1 their kind parents1 their merry children4 ,they are loved while they live1 and sorrowed for when they die4 ,but ,i1 ,i have no one left on earth either to love or care for me1 or miss me when ,i'm gone4 ,life is just one tough hard struggle1 there's none will help me through it6 ,rob stopped at the corner of a street1 leant against an iron lamp-post1 and moodily folded his arms4 ,the bare brown elbows were seen through the holes in his tattered sleeves4 ,his worn-out shoes would hardly hold together4 ,i say1 you1 won't you come in there8 said a voice just behind him4 ,rob started1 he so little expected to be addressed1 and turning half round he saw a pale boy1 in clothes that were poor but not tattered1 who pointed to a door close by1 over which was written ,ragged ,school4 ,i'm not wanted there1 muttered ,rob4 ,every one's welcome1 said the little boy1 and it's better to be in a warm room1 than standing out here in the cold6 ,i'm late1 very late to-day1 for ,i've been sent on an errand1 but ,i think ,i'm in time for the little address2 teacher1 she always gives us a bit of a story at the end4 ,i can't wait1 but you'd better come in2 and with the force of this simple invitation1 ,sandy ,benne1 for such was the young boy's name1 drew the half unwilling ,rob within the door of a place where a devoted servant of the ,good ,shepherd was trying to feed ,his lambs4 ,rob did not venture to do more than enter the low white-washed room in which he heard the hum of many voices4 ,a poor-looking room it was2 its only furniture1 rough benches2 its only ornaments1 a few hymns and texts in large letters fastened on the wall4 ,rob stood close by the door1 a shy1 almost sullen spectator1 watching the scene before him4 ,the room was thronged with children1 such children as1 but for the ,ragged ,school1 would have been playing about in the streets4 ,little rough-headed urchins1 who once had been foremost in mischief1 pale sickly boys who looked as if they had had no breakfast that morning4 ,seated1 some on the benches1 some on the floor1 they were conning their tasks with a cheerful industry which might have shamed some of the children of the rich4 ,but a few minutes after the entrance of ,rob1 at a signal given by the teacher1 a tall fair lady in mourning1 books and slates were put back in their places1 the morning's lessons were ended1 and the school looked like a bee-hive when the bees are about to swarm4 ,now we shall have the little address1 whispered ,sandy1 who had kept all eye upon ,rob2 the teacher is going to knock upon the floor with her parasol1 and then1 won't we be quiet as mice6 ,there was no need to call silence2 two little raps upon the floor were enough to make every rough scholar in the place go back to his seat in a minute1 and remain there as still as a statue4 ,all the young eyes were fixed on the teacher1 the gentle loving lady1 who daily left her comfortable house to trudge1 sometimes through rain1 and snow1 and sleet1 to spend her time1 her strength1 and her health1 in leading ragged children to the ,saviour4 ,her voice was a little faint1 for the lady was weary with her work1 though never weary of her work1 but her smile was kindly and bright as she began her short address4 ,i have promised to give you a story1 my dear young friends1 she began1 and as ,i am speaking in a ,ragged ,school1 and to those who are called ,ragged ,scholars1 you will not be shocked or surprised if ,i choose for my subject--a ,rag4 ,the teacher's cheerful smile was reflected on many a young sunburnt face2 rags were a theme on which most of the company felt perfectly at home1 though few present1 except poor ,rob1 actually wore the articles in question4 ,on a miry road1 continued the lady1 trodden down by hoofs1 rolled over by wheels1 till it became almost of the colour of the mud on which it was lying1 lay an old piece of linen rag1 which had been dropped there by a beggar4 ,nothing could be more worthless1 and long it lay unnoticed1 till it caught the attention of a woman who1 with a child at her side1 was picking her way over the crossing4 ',i may as well pick that up for my bag1' said the woman4 ',oh1 mother1 don't dirty your fingers by picking up that rag6' cried the boy with a look of disgust2 'such trash is not worth the trouble of washing6 ,it's good for nothing2 just good for nothing2 it is better to leave it alone6' ',let me judge of that1' said the woman2 and stooping down1 she picked up the miry rag1 all torn and stained as it was1 and carried it with her to her home4 ,there she carefully washed it1 and put it with other pieces of linen in a bag2 and after a while1 it was sold for a trifle to a manufacturer of paper4 ,if the rag had been a living creature1 possessed of any feeling1 much might it have complained of all that if had then to undergo4 ,it was torn to pieces1 reduced to shreds1 beaten till it became quite a pulp2 no one could have guessed who looked at it then that it had ever been linen at all4 ,but what1 my young friends1 was the end of all this washing1 and beating1 and rending8 ,at length a pure1 white1 beautiful sheet of paper lay beneath the manufacturer's hands2 into this fair form had passed the rag which a child had called good for nothing6 ,but the sheet was not to lie useless4 ,not in vain had it been made so white and clean4 ,it was next carried to the press of a printer4 ,there it was once more damped1 so as better to receive an impression3 then it was laid over blackened type 7that is1 letters cast in metal71 and pressed down with a heavy roller1 until every letter was clearly marked upon the smooth white surface4 ,god's ,holy ,word had been stamped upon it1 the sheet was to form a leaf of a ,bible2 such honour was given to the once soiled rag1 which a child had called good for nothing6 ,and where was this ,bible to be2 to what home and what heart was it to carry its message of mercy8 ,it was bound1 and gilded1 and bought1 and carried to the royal palace of the ,queen4 ,the ,bible lay in the sovereign's chamber1 it was opened by the sovereign's hand2 her eye rested upon it as upon that which was more precious to her than her crown6 ,what was it to her that a portion of the paper had once been a worn-out rag dropped by one of the meanest of her subjects8 ,it had been washed1 purified1 changed1 the ,word of ,god had given it value2 well might the ,queen prize and love it as her best possession upon earth4 ,dear friends1 continued the lady1 looking with loving interest on the listening groups before her1 can you not1 trace out now a little parable in my story8 ,need ,i explain its meaning8 ,there have been some neglected ones in the world1 as little cared for1 as little regarded as the rag which lay on the miry road4 ,but who shall dare to say that even the soul most stained by sin1 most sunk in evil1 is good for nothing8 ,such souls may be raised from the dust1 such souls have been raised from the dust4 ,while ,god spares life we may yet have hope4 ,i have just read of the case of ,james ,stirling1 a faithful servant1 an earnest worker for ,god4 ,that man for twenty years was a drunkard1 a grief to his wife1 a disgrace to his family1 an evil example to those around him4 ,if he1 by the power of ,god's ,word1 was raised from such a depth of sin1 who now need despair8 ,what if our sins be many before ,god1 'the blood of ,jesus ,christ his ,son cleanseth from all sin4' ,the soiled may be made pure and clean4 ,what did the ,saviour say to the weeping penitent whom all the world despised8 ',thy sins are forgiven thee1 go in peace4' ,and thus speaks the merciful ,lord to the lowly penitent still4 ,and when a soul is washed from its guilt1 it is not left to be idle and useless4 ,when ,god gives to a sinner a new heart1 it is that ,his ,holy ,word may be deeply stamped on that heart4 ,then those who have been cleansed1 forgiven1 and raised1 bear to others the blessed message which they themselves have received4 ',come1 hear what the ,lord has done for my soul4 ,come1 taste and see that the ,lord is gracious2' such are the ,bible words printed1 as it were1 on the heart of every pardoned sinner1 who1 having been forgiven much1 feels that he loveth much4 ,and once more1 dear friends1 let me refer to the leaf of the ,bible described in my little story1 as a picture of a soul redeemed4 ,it too will one day be borne to a palace2 not the dwelling of an earthly monarch1 but the mansion of the ,king of kings6 ,precious will it be in his eyes1 and counted amongst ,his treasures4 ,oh1 what a joyful1 glorious end may be reserved for some whom the world call good for nothing1 when penitent1 pardoned1 purified spirits shine as stars in the kingdom of heaven6 ,the lady ceased1 but her words seemed to echo still in the ears of poor ,rob4 ,he was fixed to the spot where he stood1 scarcely conscious of the bustle around him as the scholars noisily quitted the room4 ,a door of hope had been suddenly opened before the almost despairing lad1 a gleam of light had fallen on his darkness4 ,rob ,barker had read the history of his own past life in that of the trampled rag2 could a like future be before him1 could he ever be one of the penitent1 pardoned1 purified ones1 who shall shine at last like the stars8 ,the teacher's attention had been attracted by the wretched appearance and earnest look of the stranger lad4 ,a feeling of interest and pity made her watch him1 as he lingered in that room in which he had first learned that it was possible for such as he to be saved4 ,as ,rob walked slowly from the place1 the lady overtook him1 asked his name1 and inquired what had brought him to the ,ragged ,school that morning4 ,i believe that ,god brought me1 murmured ,rob1 and his answer came from his heart4 ,where do you live8 said the lady4 ,i have no home1 no friends1 replied the lad1 in a tone of gloomy despair4 ,you are young1 you look strong and active1 you must never give up hope1 said the teacher2 ,god is willing and able to help all who come in faith to ,him4 ,let us see if no way can be found by which you can earn your bread as an honest ,christian should do4 ,the lady herself did something1 perhaps to some it may seem very little1 to aid the poor homeless lad2 she had many poor to think of1 many claims on her purse4 ,she gave but a stale roll1 an old broom1 and the means of procuring a single night's lodging1 together with an invitation to come every day and learn at the ,ragged ,school4 ,this was but a small and humble beginning to ,rob's new start in life4 ,i am not going to trace his career through all its various stages4 ,he was the crossing-sweeper1 the errand-boy1 the lad ready for any message or any work1 cleaning boots1 putting up shutters1 carrying parcels to earn a few pence1 or some broken victuals4 ,life was a struggle to ,rob1 as it is a struggle to many who1 when they rise in the morning scarcely know where they will lie down at night4 ,but ,rob ,barker was learning more and more to put his trust in that heavenly ,father who never forsakes ,his children4 ,he was learning to be honest1 sober1 and pious4 ,gradually the sky brightened over ,rob2 his character became known and trusted1 and greater prosperity came4 ,having sought first the kingdom of ,god and his righteousness1 other things were added besides1 according to the promise of the ,lord4 ,rob entered service1 and rose in it2 he remained for nearly twenty years under the same kind master1 then with his honest earnings1 set up in business1 and prospered4 ,rob lived to be known and respected in the world as a good husband1 father1 and master4 ,he lived to be useful in the station of comfort and honour to which ,god's mercy had raised him1 and to look forward with humble hope and rejoicing to the rest of ,paradise and changeless glories of heaven4 ,such was the career of one who had once been deemed good for nothing by a fellow sinner6 ,,new ,,stories ,,by ,a4 ,l4 ,o4 ,e4 ,no4 #d--;,,how ,,like ,,it ,,is6 ,,new ,,york3 ,,general ,,protestant ,,episcopal ,,sunday ,,school4 ,,union ,,and ,,church ,,book ,,society4 #gfb ,,broadway4 #ahfe4 ,illustration3 ,no4 #d4 ,,how ,,like ,,it ,,is6 ,,how ,,like ,,it ,,is6 ,i ,,hope1 aunt1 that you did not mind my knocking up the house at twelve o'clock last night1 said ,eddy ,burns1 as he sat down one ,monday morning to the breakfast which had been kept waiting for him nearly an hour4 ,i own1 my dear boy1 replied ,mrs4 ,burns1 a gentle looking woman with silvery hair smoothly braided beneath the whitest of caps1 ,i must own that ,i should much rather have had you going with me to church1 and spending ,sunday evening quietly here1 than wandering off ,i know not where1 and never returning till midnight4 ,oh1 if ,i were always living in ,london it would be different1 cried ,eddy1 as he emptied the plate of grilled bacon2 but1 you know1 when ,i'm only up on a visit1 ,i must see all that's to be seen1 and make the most of my time4 ,what a whirl ,i was in all last week6 sights and shows of all kinds--amusement from morning till night--hither--thither--everywhere4 ,where were you yesterday1 ,eddy8 asked his aunt4 ,well1 if the truth must be told1 ,i was off to ,brighton by an excursion train to have a sniff of the sea air1 and somehow or other we did not manage to get back till late4 ,i was very uneasy and anxious about you1 said ,mrs4 ,burns1 in a tone of gentle reproach4 ,oh1 ,i'm sorry that ,i worried you6 exclaimed ,eddy2 you're the best of good aunts1 and ,i owe more to you ,i know than to any one else in the world4 ,i may be a wild1 thoughtless young fellow1 but ,i'm not ungrateful--no2 there's nothing ,i hate like ingratitude6 ,mrs4 ,burns' only answer was a kindly smile4 ,she might have upbraided ,eddy for his selfishness1 his want of consideration1 his neglect of all religious duties1 but she felt that this was not the time for doing so4 ,where are you going to-day8 asked the aunt4 ,well1 ,i'm off to the ,pantheon to see if my photo is ready1 said the lad4 ,you did not tell me that you had been sitting for your likeness4 ,oh1 everybody sits now-a-days1 laughed ,eddy1 you would not have me behind the rest of the world4 ,if the photo turn out good you shall have it1 aunt2 and the boy passed his hand through his light brown hair with a very self-satisfied look1 which seemed to say1 ,i'm sure they'll make a good picture of a handsome young fellow like me6 ,off started ,eddy for the ,pantheon1 not a little curious to see his own face for the first time on paper4 ,eddy ,burns was by no means free from personal vanity4 ,he had dressed very carefully for his sitting1 put on his best waist-coat and his bright new studs for the occasion1 and had spent nearly ten minutes in fastening his opera tie4 ,eddy was now impatient to see the result of all his dressing and study1 and hurried up the ,pantheon staircase with all the eagerness of a child4 ,when he reached the photograph stall1 the youth could not wait until those who had come before him were served2 he pushed himself forward1 and kept demanding his picture as if every moment of his time were precious4 ,what an age the woman takes in looking over her little packets1 muttered ,eddy4 ,this is yours1 said the person behind the stall1 handing a carte de visite to the impatient lad4 ,eddy almost snatched it from her hand1 and then1 drawing back a few steps1 looked at it with angry disappointment1 almost tempted to fling it down on the counter in disgust4 ,ugh ,i what a fright they've made me1 growled the youth as he descended the staircase at a slower pace than he had mounted4 ,i've half a mind to toss it into the fire2 but ,i'll show it first to my aunt1 and see what she says of the likeness4 ,illustration3 ,is it like8 ,about an hour afterwards ,eddy entered the parlour of ,mrs4 ,burns4 ,have you brought back your likeness1 my dear boy8 was the aunt's first question when she saw him4 ,here it is1 aunt2 what do you think of it8 said ,eddy1 seating himself on an easy chair1 and drawing the little carte from his pocket4 ,he watched the face of his aunt as she closely examined the picture1 and rather wondered at the tender expression in her gentle grey eyes1 and the smile which rose to her lips4 ,how like it is6 was her first exclamation4 ,i'm surprised that you think so1 cried ,eddy1 rather mortified by her words2 ,i did not fancy myself to be so ugly a dog2 but ,i suppose that no one knows his own face4 ,the sun will not flatter1 said his aunt with a smile1 he is too truthful often to please4 ,may ,i keep your photo8 added ,mrs4 ,burns4 ,i shall value it dearly1 for it will so remind me of you4 ,oh1 you're welcome to keep it1 or light the fire with it6 cried ,eddy1 ,i never wish to see it again4 ,i wonder whether1 he continued1 half laughing1 if the sun could draw our characters as he draws our faces in such a dreadfully truthful way1 we should recognise ourselves at all4 ,i rather doubt that we would1 said ,mrs4 ,burns1 with her eyes thoughtfully fixed upon the photograph1 which1 though by no means a pleasing1 was a very faithful likeness of her nephew4 ,well1 aunt1 some time or other you shall play the part of the sun1 and make a photograph of my character4 ,i should like to know what ,i really am like1 and ,i've heard that you're so sharp at finding out all that folk are feeling and thinking1 that you'll hit me off to a hair4 ,eddy's eye twinkled as he spoke1 and his manner was so careless and gay that it was clear that he was not much afraid that any very unfavourable opinion could be formed of himself4 ,indeed1 he considered himself1 on the whole1 a very pleasant1 kind1 good-hearted sort of a fellow4 ,you must give me a little time for reflection and observation1 ,eddy1 before ,i attempt to take your likeness2 and you must not be angry when ,i have done if my picture does not flatter4 ,oh1 ,i like plain truth1 cried ,eddy2 ,i don't think that you'll have much worse to say of me than that ,i like play better than work1 and am always up to a lark4 ,nothing more was said on the subject at that time4 ,eddy went out to some place of amusement1 and did not return till the evening4 ,he then looked heated and flushed1 and flung himself down on a chair by his aunt with an air of indignant displeasure4 ,he's the most ungrateful dog that ever ,i met with6 muttered ,eddy between his teeth4 ,of whom do you speak8 asked his aunt4 ,of ,arthur ,knox1 to be sure2 who was my school fellow1 and to whom ,i lent half my pocket money one quarter--which1 by the by1 he has never returned to me4 ,there's no saying how many scrapes ,i've helped that ,arthur out of1 for he was always getting into scrapes4 ,and now--would you believe it--he passed me to-day in the street as if he had quite forgotten me4 ,a dead cut1 if ever there was one4 ,perhaps he did not see you1 suggested ,mrs4 ,burns4 ,oh1 but he did though1 cried ,eddy1 quickly1 ,i caught his eye as we met4 ,but he has lately come in to some money1 and that has turned his head1 ,i suppose2 and he was walking with some grandly dressed folk2 ,i fancy he did not choose they should know that ,i was an acquaintance of his4 ,oh1 ,i hate ingratitude of all things4 ,a man may be honest1 pleasant1 kind--anything that you like1 but once show me that he's ungrateful1 and ,i would not care ever to set eyes upon him again4 ,ingratitude is hateful1 ,eddy1 and yet-- ,oh1 don't you try to defend ,arthur ,knox6 exclaimed the lad1 with increased impatience of manner2 why1 ,i once sat up a whole night to nurse him1 and that's not what every one would do1 ,i can tell you4 ,i really cared for the fellow1 and that makes his conduct the harder to bear4 ,to cut me dead in the streets6 ,did you ever know any being so ungrateful8 ,i know a youth1 replied ,mrs4 ,burns1 who has1 ,i think1 shown himself to be quite as ungrateful as ,arthur4 ,i can hardly believe it1 said ,eddy4 ,you shall hear and judge for yourself4 ,a youth--,i need not give you his name--had incurred a very heavy debt1 which no efforts of his own would ever enable him to pay4 ,there was nothing before him but1 utter ruin1 when a friend1 who knew and pitied his distress1 before he had even been asked to relieve1 came forward and freely offered to pay not a part only1 but the whole of the debt4 ,but the sacrifice was great to him who made it2 the generous ,friend who had once been possessed of great wealth brought himself to poverty and want1 and for years endured the greatest hardships1 on account of his kindness to another4 ,what wonderful goodness6 cried ,eddy4 ,nor was this all1 continued ,mrs4 ,burns4 ,the ,benefactor adopted the youth as his son1 gave him his own name2 provided him with food1 clothing1 lodging1 all that he really required2 and when the lad was old enough1 placed him in a situation in which he would be able comfortably to earn his living4 ,now that was a friend6 exclaimed ,eddy4 ,and what return did this youth make for such unheard of kindness8 ,i grieve to say1 replied ,mrs4 ,burns1 that ,i believe that the youth almost entirely forgot the ,benefactor to whom he owed everything4 ,his ,friend desired him to come to his house--but that house appeared to be the very last place which the lad cared to enter4 ,months1 perhaps years1 would pass without his crossing the threshold4 ,letters received from his ,benefactor were never opened by the youth1 he thought it a weariness even to read them4 ,what a heartless wretch6 exclaimed ,eddy4 ,he never did any one thing to please the ,friend who had paid his debt at such vast cost1 and who had cared for him from childhood4 ,he loved the company of those who were enemies to his ,benefactor2 he did not1 indeed1 like them1 speak openly against him-- ,i should think not1 interrupted the indignant ,eddy1 it was hateful enough to forget him4 ,nay1 but ,i have not told you all4 ,you have heard how freely and lovingly the ,friend had bestowed many goods on the youth3 he had1 however1 as he had a perfect right to do1 reserved a portion for himself4 ,even this portion he was laying up to increase the future wealth of his adopted son2 but1 he forbade the youth1 in the mean time1 to do what he pleased with this portion4 ,no one could complain of that1 observed ,eddy4 ,but the youth did complain1 said his aunt1 and he did not content himself with murmurs1 he resolved to spend all as he pleased4 ,against right1 conscience1 and gratitude1 he wasted on idle follies what his generous ,friend had reserved4 ,eddy1 what say you now to this youth8 ,say8 repeated her nephew1 ,i say that he is the most ungrateful1 despicable1 good for nothing being in the world4 ,is he living still8 ,living--yes1 and not far hence1 replied ,mrs4 ,burns1 with a glance of meaning2 is not my photograph like8 ,what on earth do you mean8 exclaimed the astonished ,eddy1 opening his eyes wide1 and fixing them on his aunt4 ,is not the likeness that of every soul that forgets and neglects the greatest of ,benefactors--the best and kindest of ,friends8 ,oh1 ,eddy what hath ,god done for us1 can we number up a thousandth part of the benefits received from ,his love8 ,think of the heavy debt of sin1 that sin which1 unpardoned1 is death6 ,did not the ,lord of glory leave the throne of heaven to live in poverty and want1 and then endure the scourge and the cross1 that our heavy debt might be paid8 ,was not that the proof of most wonderful love8 ,and think how1 from our feeble infancy1 ,god has watched over1 cared for1 and blessed us4 ,for the sight of our eyes1 the strength of our limbs1 for the faculties of memory and reason1 we have to thank our great ,benefactor4 ,for the home in which we dwell1 the food which we eat1 the friends whom we love--we must thank him4 ,for all that we have in this world1 and for all that we hope for in the next1 we must bless and praise our ,redeemer4 ,eddy looked more thoughtful than usual1 and1 after a pause1 his aunt went on3 ,and what return do many of us make for all this goodness and love8 ,what is the conduct of many of those who bear the name of ,christians8 ,do they care to please the ,lord1 or only to please themselves8 ,when ,god invites them to ,his house of prayer1 do they not neglect his invitation1 and prefer any place of amusement8 ,would they not rather read any light book than the ,bible1 which is the word of ,god1 and contains ,his gracious message8 ,and to mention but one thing more1 that precious portion of time1 the ,lord's ,day1 which ,god has reserved in ,his wisdom to be an especial blessing to the soul1 the time which he commands us to hallow--do not many rob him of it lot their own purposes2 their business1 their trade1 their amusement8 ,if ingratitude be hateful towards man--oh1 what must it be towards ,god6 ,aunt1 you are hard upon me1 said ,eddy4 ,since you take the picture for yourself1 dear boy1 ,i can only say--,is it not like8