Page images
PDF
EPUB

the means by which he would fight against God and destroy his people. But God made use of that very river to preserve the children of Israel, and to destroy Pharaoh and his people.

These two lessons we learn from this "little ark " How wonderful are God's ways!

PRAISE FOR THE GOSPEL.

COME, children, thank the Lord with me
That he has made us know

The words of love, which from above
In blessed Scripture flow.

We sit beside the living spring,
And taste the sacred stream;

In every line is grace divine,

And mercy reigns supreme.

The little Pagan cannot read
This book of life and light;
For, fast asleep in darkness deep,
He lies in horrid night.

No story of the Child Divine

The Gentile mother sings;

But we have heard the heavenly word
Unknown to eastern kings.

Then let us ask in these our lays

That we may read aright;

And let us praise him all our days
For blessed Bible light.

GOD'S LOVE SEEN IN CREATION.

THE grass which does the hills adorn,
The fields so richly clothed with corn,
The trees which form the shady grove,
All gently whisper-God is love.

The flowers arrayed in smiling bloom,
Filling the air with rich perfume,
As round their fragrant beds we rove,
They sweetly tell us- -God is love.

The beasts which in the forest roar,
Display their Maker's mighty power;
The soaring eagle, and the dove,
Join in the anthem-God is love.

The glowing sun, which shines so bright, That cheers us with his pleasant light; The moon, which makes the waters move, Unite and murmur-God is love.

The stars that twinkle in the sky,
Reminding us of worlds on high-
They seem to tell us from above
The God who made us-He is love.

We, as we view the human frame,
Adore the wise Creator's name;
We scan his works, and we approve,
And swell the chorus-God is love.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small]

THE next morning, as Susie was getting up, she thought of her visit the evening before; and then she called to mind some stories which her aunt had told her, and she wondered whether she could ever be kind and forgiving. Susie was sure it would be a long time before she learned to "love her enemies;" perhaps not until she had grown up to be a woman like aunt Mary. Of course, when she was a woman, she thought it would be easier to be good than it was now. Susie did not know how mistaken she was in this idea. Bad No. 195. MARCH, 1861.

D

habits grow strong with our years. Young trees are more easily bent than old ones.

It will be more hard to do right to-morrow than it is to-day. Therefore, it is our wisest way to begin at once.

Susie went down to breakfast. It was nearly ready, but there was only her brother Harry in the room. He had just seated himself to the table in a chair which Susie called hers.

[ocr errors]

That is my chair, Harry," cried Susie, without even waiting to say "good morning" first; "you

must give it to me."

"Must!" said Harry.

"You are very polite, Susie.

But I cannot move now; it is too much trouble; you may have any of the others."

"No, I shall have my own," said Susie; so get up;" and she gave him a little push.

"Do be quiet, Susie. What does it signify which chair you have ?"

"Then if it does not signify, you need not have taken mine," said Susie, sharply. "Now give it to me. I will have it."

"If you can get it," said Harry, laughing.

Susie pulled and pulled with all her might, but Harry sat firmly in the chair, and she was not strong enough to move him. Then she became very cross, and tried to drag him away by taking hold of his jacket; and when that failed, she raised her hand and struck him as hard as she could. He did not mind a bit for her tiny blows, but they made him less willing to give up his seat; and it was not until their father came in from the shop to breakfast that the dispute was settled.

I am afraid Susie had quite forgotten her "text." Jane had a cold that morning, and stayed at home, so Susie went alone to school. She passed by Bessy Wilson's house. Bessy was standing at the window, partly dressed, and she beckoned to Susie to wait for her. Susie saw her, but she would not look that way, nor take any notice of her. She had not forgiven Bessy for laughing at her yesterday.

Was that loving her enemies?

While Susie was taking off her bonnet and cloak before going into the schoolroom, Emma Perkins came in. "Well, little Susie, where is Jane ?" she said. Susie told her, but not very pleasantly, for she did not at all like being called little Susie, and Emma often called her so. One or two other girls came in, and Susie was making room for them, as she was ready, when Emma said to her, "Will you put this pin for me in my collar, Susie ? it has dropped out behind." "No, I cannot stop now," said Susie; "you must get somebody else to do it."

Susie's conscience gave her a sharp prick as she said this, and she took her place in the schoolroom with a heart not quite at ease. Was she doing as she had promised aunt Mary? She knew she was not; she knew she had not made the least attempt to do So. Emma had asked civilly for her help, and she ought readily to have given it. How could she expect the girls to be friendly with her if she never tried to oblige them? Susie sighed, and thought what hard work it was to help rendering evil for evil.

The business of the school went on as usual, and Susie was busy learning the multiplication table, when

« PreviousContinue »