“We have before us the inspiring, the ennobling example of the Pilgrim Fathers, who, denied the right to worship God after their own manner in their home across the seas, made the perilous journey to the new world to establish here the beginning of a mighty church and a mighty pattern for all who were to come after them.  They were men and women who hungered and thirsted after righteousness.  But were they perfect?  No.  It would be impossible to find, in the world’s history a life in which some imperfection did not lurk?  Should the discovery of faults and imperfections in ourselves or in others discourage us from trying to follow in the footsteps of the Perfect One?  Surely not.  We should see in the shortcomings of others an inspiration to live our own lives more closely to the measure which we know to be right and true.  The knowledge of our own faults and imperfections should make us more sympathetic, more helpful to others and induce a spirit of comradeship with those who need a strengthening band on the pathway of life.

“We know, too, where to take these faults and imperfections of ours.  How often has He answered the prayer, ’Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.’  To become wearied, to lie idle and despair because we have not attained to the ideal is to commit a grievous error.  Get busy!  In true work for Him is the surest cure for the trouble.  Faulty?  Yes.  But let us not forget the truth in Dr. Van Dyke’s words, ’the best rosebush, after all, is not that which has the fewest thorns but that which has the finest roses.”

“Let us not lose heart because of our shortcomings, but give thanks that we may attain to the highest if we but do His will.”

BRING FORTH FRUIT
    —­Children’s Day
    —­Fruitfulness

A Children’s Day Thought for the Entire School—­The Live
Branch.

THE LESSON—­That as the fruit tree fulfills its mission only when surrounded by proper conditions, so, also, must the child be provided with the conditions which will help him to bring forth fruit in the Christian life.

The illustration here given possesses the unusual qualities of entertainment for the very littlest children of the school, of enlightment for the juniors and intermediates and of personal appeal to the seniors and adults—­especially those visitors who may be attracted on the occasion of Children’s Day.  The use of the colored chalk makes the picture especially attractive.

The Talk.

[Before beginning the talk, draw the bare limb in brown.] “What is this?  A dead branch, did you say?  Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  We are supposed to be looking at it in the winter time, and, of course, it isn’t real easy at first to tell whether it is dead or merely sleeping; but if we examine it closely we can tell, because the leaf-buds are formed in the autumn, and if the limb is alive we shall find the little leaf-buds there. [Examine the branch.] Yes, the branch is alive, for the little leaf-buds are clustered everywhere, waiting to burst forth into full-grown leaves. [As you speak, touch the limb here and there with green and then draw the clusters of full-grown leaves.] And here, too, I find some little pink buds, and a little later they open into pretty flowers, for this is the limb of an apple tree. [Add the flowers, completing Fig. 94.]