Oh may we grow in wisdom still, Ann. We have had a very pleasant walk, Susan; and the sun shines so bright, and the sky is so blue, and the birds sing so very sweetly, that I never felt happier. What a long walk we have had! Susan. Yes, we have; and I feel a little tired. Let us sit down, and read your book. A. I dare say you do, love. See, we are close to the churchyard; let us go inside, and rest on one of the tombstones, for I want to talk a little with you. S. But, sister, I do not want to be talked to; I had rather leap from one grave to another, and dance round the sundial and pick up the daisies. : A. What, when you are tired! That would never do besides, we should not spend every minute of our time in play; but, now and then, talk of God's goodness to us. S. Another time! Another time! Never mind talking now. I want to see the old sundial. I know the way to it. A. Well, we will go to the sundial first; but there is a stone with a verse on it by the belfry door that you have never seen, and I want to show it to you. S. Here is the sundial. You must lift me up, Ann, for I cannot see the top of it myself. A. Yes, love, I will lift you up. See! by the sundial it is four o'clock. Can you read the two lines on the dial-plate? S. No; for the sun shines on them, and there is so much flourishing round the letters. A. The letters are not very plain; I will read the lines: "While time is flying, All are dying." Those are very solemn lines indeed. Do you ever think about dying, Susan? S. No, sister; but when I get to be an old woman, as old as Nanny in the almshouse, perhaps I may. A. Well, we have seen the sundial; now let me show you the stone that I told you of. This is the way, Susan : now let us sit down, for you see the stone is just before us S. What a short little grave it is. Why it is not so long as I am. A. No; and the little girl, who lies buried there, was not so old as you are when she died: the stone says that she was only five years old. And here are two lines worth our notice : "Since you are not too young to die, This little girl died at five years old, Susan; think of that! If children die at five years old, we must not put off thinking of death till we are the age of old Nanny in the almshouse. Do you think we should? S. No; but I had rather dance round the sundial, than sit here talking about death. A. Very likely; but if we were always playing and laughing, and never thinking of God's goodness, do you think that would be right? S. No, I do not think it would. A. We ought often to think of our sins, and of the goodness of Jesus Christ who died for sinners; for if we believe in him, and love him, and fear him, and obey him, we need not be afraid to die. Now if we go to heaven when we die, it will not much matter whether we die in youth or in old age. S. I should rather live to grow up to be a woman, than die now I am a little girl. A. The best way will be to seek the mercy of Jesus Christ now, that whether we live or die, we may be God's children; but I will not tire you, love, with my talk. If we can remember the lines on the sundial, and the lines on the tombstone, we can talk about them another time. The first lines are : "While time is flying, And those on the stone are : "Since you are not too young to die, DIVINE PROTECTION AN GUIDANCE. SAVIOUR, to thy care receive us, Then we're safe from every foe. Take us lone and helpless strangers, Jesus, Saviour, condescending, Who to save our souls hast bled. Thee adore, in ceaseless praises, Yet our humble praises own. Songs of gladness we would render, May we each thy guidance show. END OF THIRD SERIES. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY: INSTITUTED 1799. |