The Pearl Box Read online

  "Hush! hush!" said the lady who was watching beside the couch. "Yourdear mamma is too ill to hear you to night." And as she said this, shecame forward and laid her hand gently upon his arm as if she would leadhim from the room. "I cannot go to bed to night," said the little boy,"without saying my prayers--I cannot."

  Roger's dying mother heard his voice, and his sobs, and although she hadbeen nearly insensible to everything around her, yet she requested theattendant lady to bring the boy and lay him near her side. Her requestwas granted, and the child's rosy cheek nestled in the bosom of hisdying mother.

  "Now you may repeat this verse after me," said his mother, "and neverforget it: 'When my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take meup.'" The child repeated it three times--then he kissed the pale cheekof his mother, and went quietly to his little couch.

  The next morning he sought as usual for his mother, but she was now coldand motionless. She died soon after little Roger retired to his bed.That was her last lesson to her darling boy--he did not forget it. Hehas grown to be a man and occupies a high post of honor inMassachusetts. I never can look upon him without thinking about thefaith so beautifully exhibited by his dying mother. It was a goodlesson.

  THE GOLDEN CROWN.

  A teacher once asked a child, "If you had a golden crown, what would youdo with it?" The child replied, "I would give it to my father to keeptill I was a man." He asked another. "I would buy a coach and horseswith it," was the reply. He asked a third. "Oh," said the little girl towhom he spoke, "I would do with it the same as the people in heaven dowith their crowns. I would cast it at the Saviour's feet."

  EARLY AT SCHOOL.

  One Sabbath evening a teacher was walking up and down in the porchbefore his house, in one of the South Sea Islands. The sun was settingbehind the waves of the ocean, and the labors of the day were over. Inthat cool, quiet hour, the teacher was in prayer, asking a blessing onhis people, his scholars, and himself. As he heard the leaves of theMimosa tree rustling, he thought the breeze was springing up--andcontinued his walk. Again he heard the leaves rattle, and he felt surethat it could not be the wind. So he pushed aside the long leafybranches of the trees, and passed beneath. And what did he find there?Three little boys. Two were fast asleep in each other's arms, but thethird was awake.

  "What are you doing there, my children?" asked the teacher. "We havecome to sleep here," said the boy. "And why do you sleep here; have youno home?" "Oh, yes," said the lad, "but if we sleep here, we are sure tobe ready when the school bell rings in the morning." "And do yourparents know about it?" "Mine do," said the lad, "but these little boyshave no parents; they are orphans."

  You know the nights in the South Sea Islands are not cold and damp likeours, but as the teacher thought a heavy rain would fall in the night,he roused the orphans, and led the three little boys into the largeporch of the house, where they might rest in safety. He was happy tofind that they were some of his scholars, and that they loved theirschool. What would these little Islanders think if they could look fromtheir distant homes into some of our schools and see how many latecomers there are!

  THE PLUM BOYS.

  Two boys were one day on their way from school, and as they were passinga cornfield, in which there were some plum trees, full of nice ripefruit, Henry said to Thomas, "Let us jump over and get some plums.Nobody will see us, and we can scud along through the corn and come outon the other side."

  Thomas said, "I cannot. It is wrong to do so. I would rather not havethe plums, than to steal them, and I think I will run along home."

  "You are a coward," said Henry, "I always knew you were a coward, and ifyou don't want any plums you may go without them, but I shall have somevery quick."

  Just as Henry was climbing the fence, the owner of the field rose upfrom the other side of the wall, and Henry jumped back, and ran away.Thomas had no reason to be afraid, so he stood still, and the owner ofthe field, who had heard the conversation between the boys, told himthat he was very glad to see that he was not willing to be a thief. Hethen told Thomas that he might step over the fence and help himself toas many plums as he wished. The boy was pleased with the invitation, andsoon filled his pockets with plums which he could call his own. Honestywill always get its reward.

  GEORGE AND HIS DOG.

  George had a large and noble dog. With hair as soft as silk; A few black spots upon his back, The rest as white as milk.

  And many a happy hour they had, In dull or shining weather; For, in the house, or in the fields, They always were together.

  The faithful creature knew full well When Master wished to ride; And he would kneel down on the grass, While Georgy climbed his side

  They both were playing in the field. When all at once they saw A little squirrel on a stump, With an acorn in his paw

  The dog still looked with eager eye, And George could plainly see, It was as much as he could do To let the squirrel be.

  The timid creature would have feared The dog so bold and strong, But he seemed to know the little boy Would let him do no wrong.

  He felt a spirit of pure love Around the gentle boy, As if good angels, hovering there, Watched over him in joy.

  And true it is that angels oft Good little George have led; They're with him in his happy play. They guard his little bed;

  They keep his heart so kind and true, They make his eye so mild, For dearly do the angels love, A gentle little child.

  THE FIRST DOLLAR.

  I will tell you an affecting story about a young lad by the name ofEmerson Terry, who lived in Hartford, Ct. He was very kind to the poor,and could never see the suffering of his fellow beings without making aneffort for their relief. Here is one instance of his kindness andliberality.

  While he resided in Bristol, his father, Dr. Terry, took little Emersonwith him to ride into Hartford that he might see the city. Emerson hadone dollar, and it was the first dollar he ever earned. He took thedollar with him, thinking to buy something with it in the city. Whilethey were riding along on the way, they overtook a poor fugitive slaveseeking his freedom in the North. Mr. Terry kindly took the wayfaringman into his carriage when the poor man related to him his sufferingsand poverty, and also his trust in God. Young Emerson's heart wastouched, when, of his own accord, he drew out his _first_ and _only_dollar and gave it to the poor fugitive. When he returned home he toldhis mother what he had done, with a satisfaction that indicated hispleasure in being able to relieve a suffering stranger. How noble wasthis act. He felt willing to forego the pleasure of spending his dollarfor himself, for any pleasing toys, that he might help a poor wandereron the earth. When he was fifteen years of age, he was drowned in theConnecticut River. He was beloved and respected by a large circle ofacquaintance. He was noted for his kind disposition, tender feelings,and lovely spirit. He sleeps in peace, and we all hope to meet him inheaven.

  THE SHEPHERD AND HIS BIBLE.

  A poor shepherd, living among the Alps, the father of a large family,for whose wants he provided with great difficulty, purchased an oldBible from a dealer in old cloths and furniture. On Sunday evening, ashe was turning over the leaves, he noticed several of them were pastedtogether. He immediately began to separate the pasted leaves with greatcare. Inside of these leaves he found carefully enclosed a bank bill offive hundred dollars. On the margin of one of the pages was writtenthese words: "I gathered together money with very great difficulty, buthaving no natural heirs but those who have absolutely need of nothing, Imake thee, whosoever shall read this Bible, my natural heir."

  We cannot promise our young friends that they will find money in theleaves of their Bibles, but you may be assured that if you study itspages, and follow its precepts, you will find wisdom, which is betterthan silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

  REVELATION OF GOD'S HOLY WORD.

  Ye favored lands, rejoice, Where God
reveals his word: We are not left to nature's voice To bid us know the Lord.

  His statutes and commands Are set before our eyes; He puts the gospel in our hands, Where our salvation lies.

  His laws are just and pure, His truth without deceit; His promise is for ever sure, And his rewards are great.

  PLEASANT PLAY.

  There are many plays in which children may amuse themselves so as tobenefit both the mind and body. Exercise is very essential to thehealth, and all children should accustom themselves to such exercise aswill give elasticity to all the muscles of the body. Some children oftenplay too hard, and others, before they get through playing, get toquarrelling. Children never appear so badly as when they quarrel witheach other. Joseph and William, Jane and little Susan, are out in thegarden playing "hide and seek," around the summer house, as you see inthe picture. William became a little contrary, because every thing inthe play did not suit him, and declared he would run away. And you seehow cross he looks at Jane, as he turns round to run away. Childrenshould never let anger rise in their bosoms because of some smallmistake on the part of others. They should always overlook all mistakes,forgive all injuries, and learn to love each other when at play, as wellas when at school. Good children will play together, without gettingangry, and it is a pretty sight to see such children all happy in eachother's society, and enjoying their pleasant pastimes, with cheerful andhappy hearts.

  Our evil actions spring like trees, From small and hidden seeds; We think, or wish some wicked thing, And then do wicked deeds.

  Whoever dares to tell a lie, Whoever steals a pin, Whoever strikes an angry blow, Has done a deed of sin.

  GEORGE AND HIS GUINEA.

  Little George Ames went with his Aunt to attend a missionary meeting.After the minister had ended his sermon, as he sat in the pew hewhispered to his aunt, saying, "I wish you would lend me a guinea and Iwill give it to you again when we get home." His aunt asked him what hewanted of his guinea; he told her he wished to put it in the box when itcame round, to assist in sending the gospel to the heathen children. Shereplied, "a guinea is a great deal of money, George; you had better askyour mother, first." As George's mother lived very near the church, hewent home immediately, and said, "Mother, will you let me have my guineato give to the mission." George's mother saw that he was very muchinterested for the heathen children, and says to him, "supposing yougive half of it." "No," said George, "I want to give it all."

  "Well, my dear, you will remember you cannot give it and have it too."She then gave him a one pound note, and a shilling. But George said hewould rather have a guinea. "Why," said his mother, "what difference canit make? it is just the same amount." "Yes," said George, "but that onepound will seem so much for a little boy to give. If I had a guinea, Icould put it in between two half-pence and nobody would know any thingabout it." His mother was pleased with his proposal, and George havinggot his guinea returned to the church and put it in the box as heintended.

  Little George is now dead, and there is no danger of his being puffed upby what he has done. You may learn from this act of George, how to dosome good to poor heathen children. You should be willing to denyyourselves some pleasures in order that you may benefit others. And ifyou do good out of a pure motive you will be blessed in the deed.

  THE JEW AND HIS DAUGHTER.

  A Jew came to this country from London, many years ago, and brought withhim all his property. He had a lovely daughter of seventeen; with her hesettled in a charming retreat on the fruitful banks of the Ohio, in theWestern part of Virginia. He had buried his wife before he left Europe,and he knew no comfort but the company of his beloved daughter. Shepossessed an amiable disposition, and was well educated; she couldspeak several languages, and her manners pleased all who knew her. Beinga Jew, he brought up his daughter in the strictest principles of hisfaith.

  It was not long after that his daughter was taken sick. The rose fadedfrom her cheek, her strength failed, and it was certain that she couldnot live long. Her father was deeply affected. He tried to talk withher, but could seldom speak without weeping. He spared no expense tohave her get well. One day he was walking in the wood near his housewhen he was sent for by his dying daughter. With a heavy heart heentered the door of her room, and he saw that he was now to take thelast farewell of his daughter.

  "My father," said the child, "do you love me?" "Yes," he replied, "youknow that I love you." "I know, father, you have ever loved me. You havebeen a kind father, and I tenderly love you. Grant me my dyingrequest."

  "What is it, my child? ask what you will, though it take every farthingof my property, it shall be granted. I _will grant_ your request."

  "My dear father, I now beg of you never again to speak lightly of Jesusof Nazareth; I know that he is a Saviour, and that he has made himselfknown to me, since I have been sick, even for the salvation of my soul.I entreat you to obtain a Testament that tells of him and that you maybestow on him the love that was formerly _mine_." She now ceasedspeaking, her father left the room, when her soul took its flight to Godwho gave it. After her decease the parent purchased a Testament and readabout Jesus of Nazareth, and is now a devoted Christian. Good childrenmay be made blessings to their parents and friends.

  ANECDOTES.

  TRUE BENEFICENCE.--Mark Antony, when very much depressed, and at the ebbof his fortune, cried out, "I have lost all, except what I have givenaway."

  WASHINGTON AND THE SOLDIER.--A British soldier said, "It was once in mypower to shoot Gen. Washington." "Why, then," said an American, "did younot do it?" "Because," he replied, "the death of Washington would nothave been for our benefit, for we depended upon him to treat ourprisoners kindly."

  YES AND NO.--John Randolph, in one of his letters to a young relative,says: "You must expect unreasonable requests to be preferred to youevery day of your life; and you must endeavor to say _no_ with as muchfacility and kindness as you would say _yes_."

  OSCEOLA.--It is said that the name of Osceola was given to that famouschief by an old lady in a frontier village, who had newly arrived in thecountry, and had never seen an Indian. When she saw him she burst forthin utter astonishment--"Oh see! Oh la! What a curious looking man!"

  SIGISMOND.--This Emperor was once reproached by some courtiers for beingfavorable to his foes--to whom he replied, "Do I not effectually destroymy enemies when I make them my friends?"

  CHINESE PROVERBS.

  What is told in the ear is often heard a hundred miles.

  Riches come better after poverty, than poverty after riches.

  Who aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocritywill fall short of it.

  No remedies can revive old age and faded flowers.

  A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child.

  He who toils with pain will eat with pleasure.

  A wise man forgets old grudges.

  * * * * *

  Those that dare lose a day are dangerously prodigal; those that daremis-spend it, desperate.--_Bishop Hall_.

  Truth enters into the heart of man when it is empty, and clean andstill: but when the mind is shaken with passion as with a storm, you cannever hear the voice of the charmer, though he charm never so wisely.

  COMFORT AND SOBRIETY.

  In the picture you see a true emblem of a temperate and virtuous life.Let me here give you a few maxims to commit to memory:--

  Avoid and shun the sources of misery.

  Be sure not to _indulge_ your appetite.

  Strong drink excites a person to do wrong.

  Remember you are never out of temptation.

  _A life_ of _virtue_ and _temperance_ will secure to you money and time;will give you health, and prosperity, peace, character, respect, andusefulness.

  PLEDGE.

  Our hands and our hearts we give To the temperance pledge, declaring, That long as on earth we live, All its bountiful blessi
ngs sharing,

  We will taste not and touch not the bowl That burns with intoxication, And will lend our assistance to roll The temperance ball through the nation.