Take courage, then, for we have every reason to rejoice, and no reason at all to despond, at the troubles God in mercy lays upon us. But suppose we have brought our troubles on ourselves. This is a hard case, to be sure, and not quite so easily endured; but still, I say, let us take courage, for there is yet reason for thankfulness. Our trouble may be occasioned by sin, and it may be made useful in convincing us of sin. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," 1 John i. 8, 9. Take courage, then, even if you have brought trouble on yourself. Go to God, in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon you; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Where there is a hearty repentance for sin, and a hearty desire to fear, love, obey and glorify God, there is every reason to take courage; for, in such a case, we may rely upon it, The darkest day G. M. 64 A MOTHER'S KISS. ONE time a lovely little child, Of this he soon expression gave, Anon she took his tender hand, But, sad mistake! she kiss'd the wrong, His wounded finger he upheld, While many a teardrop fell; She kiss'd it, and the trusting child His countenance again resum'd Its native gentle form; And smiles beam'd brightly thro' his tears, Like sunshine after storm. May I from this a lesson learn, And learn it with delight; Thus in my heavenly Father trust, H. DRAKE. EARLY on the morning of the next Wednesday, Mr. Railton took his children out into the fields. They had a delightful walk, during which the rising sun, the lark singing in the air, the green trees, the opening No. 51. MARCH, 1842. D flowers, claimed and received their admiration. "Do you love me, Mary ?" said Mr. Railton, the moment he took his seat among his happy family, in the afternoon of the same day. "Do you love me, Mary?" said he, taking the hand of his daughter Mary, and looking at her affectionately. 66 Yes, papa, you know do; was the ready reply, as Mary pressed the hand of her father. "And your mother? Are you sure that you love her?" Quite sure we all love her very dearly," said Mary, jumping up, and throwing her arms round the neck of her mother. "Yes, that we do," cried Susan. "Yes, that we do," echoed little Fanny, as each of them hastened to kiss their mother's cheek. "And why do you love her? and why do you love me?" asked Mr. Railton. "Because you are both of you so kind to us we cannot help loving you," rejoined Mary. "But do we not sometimes reprove you, and now and then punish you?" asked her father. 66 Yes; but never unless we deserve it. We do really love you," replied Mary. "Yes, that we do," once more cried out Susan and little Fanny. "Then it seems," said Mr. Railton, "that the feeling of love is called forth by kindness. How striking are the words of the apostle John on the subject of love to God; We love him, because he first loved us,' 1 John iv. 19. If you love your parents because they have been kind to you, what abundant cause have you to love God, whose kindness and goodness can never be fully told! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,' John iii. 16. Now the way to learn to feel love for God, is to call to mind continually his kindness and goodness; and of this you know that you have many proofs." Here Mrs. Railton called little Fanny to her, and asked her to repeat the first verse of "Gentle Jesus;" which she did in a very pretty way for her years. you If you were constantly to think of the reproofs and punishments you receive at my hands," continued Mr. Railton, " would fear me more than you would love me; and it is the same with regard to your heavenly Father. Some people brood over his righteous judgments till they have little or no comfort from his tender mercy and compassion; they fear him much, and love him little. This is not the way to learn to love God." |