Like a florist wise and
zealous,
Guard thou well
each blossom fair,
Lest the perfume and the sweetness
Vanish for the
lack of care.
Choose thou then some place
at even
When the daily
toils are done,
Where life’s many cares
and blessings
May be numbered
one by one.
God will give thee wisdom,
mother,
To supply thine
ev’ry need,
As thou givest wholesome knowledge,
When the childish
voices plead.
Their young minds, so pure,
unfolding,
Will reveal the
secret fair
That will prove how great
the value
Of a mother’s
love and pray’r._
BLESSING AND TRIAL.
Now that Bessie had learned the secret of a Christian
life, she longed to see others enjoying the love of
God. She felt the greatest burden for her father.
Oh, if she could see him enjoying salvation! She
often poured out her desire in prayer, with childlike
trust and confidence. God heard her prayers.
One morning as she was passing the barn on her way
to school, she heard some strange sounds. Peering
through a window, she beheld a sight that made her
wonder if she saw aright. There stood her beloved
father, great tears streaming from his eyes, his countenance
beaming with heavenly peace and joy, and praises to
God pouring from his lips. What did it mean?
In a weak voice she said, “Papa dear, what is
the matter!”
Turning he exclaimed: “Oh, Bessie, God
has saved me! I am so happy! Run quick and
tell your mother!” Bessie ran to the house to
tell the glad news, but her father was there nearly
as soon, saying, “Oh, I’m saved!
You’re right, wife. I know now that you’re
right, and I see things just as you do! I’m
so happy and feel so different. Oh, help me to
praise the dear Lord.”
Let us leave them in their happiness and follow Bessie
to school. Her father’s words rang as sweet
music in her ears. How good the dear Lord was
to answer her in her father’s behalf! She
felt that no good thing would be withheld from them
that walk uprightly. But Bessie was soon to meet
a severe and unexpected trial.
Her mother had made her a school-dress. Though
neat and pretty, it was of a material commonly used
for men’s shirts. Bessie knew this, but
thought nothing of it until some of her schoolmates
gathered round her at recess and said, “O girls,
Bessie has a new dress like her father’s shirt.”
Another said, “Perhaps it is his shirt.”
The remarks were certainly unkind, and Bessie felt
them keenly; but she laughed and said, “Yes;
I know it.” Nothing more was said.
But oh, that dress! How she disliked to wear
it! At times she could hardly start to school
with it on; but then she would think, “I know
Mama thought it was pretty when she got it for me;
and I thought it was nice until the girls made those
remarks. I will try to like it for Mama’s
sake.”
