Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

THE bird that soars on highest wing,
Builds on the ground her lowly nest;
And she that doth most sweetly sing,
Sings in the shade when all things rest.
-In lark and nightingale we see
What honour hath humility.

When Mary chose the "better part,"
She meekly sat at Jesus' feet;

And Lydia's gently-open'd heart

Was made for God's own temple meet;

-Fairest and best adorn'd is she

Whose clothing is humility.

The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown,

In deepest adoration bends;

The weight of glory bows him down,

Then most when most his soul ascends;
-Nearest the throne itself must be
The footstool of humility.

1. What song-bird soars highest?
2. Where does the lark build her nest?
3. Which bird sings most sweetly?
4. Where and when does she sing?
5. Of what christian grace do these facts
afford an illustration?

6. What is meant by the "better part"?

7. Should we not imitate Mary, and choose it too.

8. Under whose preaching did the Lord open Lydia's heart?

James Montgomery.

9. Name to me the most beautiful of all dresses for a female.

10. Does advancement in the christian life make the believer become proud? 11. Who bends lowest in presence of his God?

12. For what grace will he be most eminent, who stands nearest the throne of Jesus?

13. Have we anything of which to be proud being poor sinners?

14. Ought we not then all to pray in Christ's name for the grace of humility?

II.-COMMON THINGS.

"NIGHTLY rest and daily bread, the ordinary use of our limbs, and senses, and under. standings, are gifts which admit of no comparison with any other. Yet, because almost every man we meet with possesses these, we leave them out of our enumeration. They raise no sentiment; they move no gratitude. Now, herein is our judgment perverted by our selfishness. A blessing ought in truth to be the more satisfactory, the bounty at least of the donor is rendered more conspicuous by its very diffusion, its commonness, its cheapness: by its falling to the lot, and forming the happiness, of the great bulk and body of our species, as well as of ourselves. Nay even when we do not possess it, it ought to be a matter of thankfulness that others do. But we have a different way of thinking. We court distinction. That is not the worst: we see nothing but what has distinction to recommend it. This necessarily contracts our views of the Creator's beneficence within a narrow compass; and most unjustly. It is in those things which are so common as to be no distinction, that the amplitude of the Divine benignity is perceived."-Paley.

THE sun is a glorious thing,
That comes alike to all,
Lighting the peasant's lonely cot,
The noble's painted hall.

The moonlight is a gentle thing,
It through the window gleams
Upon the snowy pillow where
The happy infant dreams.

It shines upon the fisher's boat,
Out on the lonely sea;

Or where the little lambkins lie,
Beneath the old oak tree.

The dew-drops on the summer morn,
Sparkle upon the grass;

The village children brush them off,
That through the meadows pass.

There are no gems in monarch's crowns.
More beautiful than they ;

And yet we scarcely notice them,

But tread them off in play.

Poor Robin on the pear-tree sings,

Beside the cottage door;

The heath-flower fills the air with sweets,

'Upon the pathless moor.

There are as many lovely things,
As many pleasant tones,

For those who sit by cottage-hearths
As those who sit on thrones ;

Mrs. Hawkshawe.

1. What does the poetess say about the sun?

2. What is said of the moon?

3. Why call the sun glorious, and the moon gentle ?

4. In what season are dew-drops seen on the grass?

5. Do they not sparkle indeed like diamonds?

6. Are there any precious stones in the King's diadem more beautiful than they are?

7. Since they are so beautiful, how comes it that we scarcely notice them?

8. Ah, but does not this very commonness which makes us neglect them, display God's goodness the more?

9. Is the music of the palace more charming than that of the grove?

10. Are the perfumes of the palace richer than those of the heath-flower, or the rose?

11. Repeat to me the last verse.

12. Will you try and name to me some of the lovely things, and the pleasant tones, that the poor enjoy as well as the rich?

13. Have the poor good reason to envy the rich then?

14. Who is so good to us all?

15. What is the best gift of God to poor sinful mortals?

16. Who will quote to me the words of John, iii. 16. ?

III. THE SOLDIER'S RETURN.

The wars for many a month were o'er
Ere I could reach my native shed;
My friends ne'er hop'd to see me more,
And wept for me as for the dead.

As I drew near, the cottage blaz'd,
The evening fire was clear and bright,
As through the window long I gaz'd,
And saw each friend with dear delight.

My father in his corner sat,
My mother drew her useful thread;
My brothers strove to make them chat,
My sisters bak'd the household bread.

And Jean oft whispered to a friend,
And still let fall a silent tear;
But soon my Jessy's grief will end,-
She little thinks her Harry's near.

What could I do? if in I went,
Surprise would chill each tender heart ;-
Some story then I must invent,
And act the poor maim'd soldier's part.

I drew a bandage o'er my face,
And crooked up a lying knee;
And soon I found in that best place,
Not one dear friend knew aught of me.

I ventur❜d in ;-Tray wagg'd his tail ;-
He fawn'd, and to my mother ran :—
"Come here!" she cried, "what can he ail?"
While my feign'd story I began.

I changed my voice to that of age:
"A poor old soldier lodging craves ;"-
The very name their loves engage,-
"A soldier! aye, the best we have."

My father then drew in a seat ;-
"You're welcome," with a sigh, he said.
My mother fried her best hung meat,
And curds and cheese the table spread.

"I had a son," my father cried,
"A soldier too, but he is gone;"-
"Have you heard from him ?" I replied,
"I left behind me many a one ;-

"And many a message have I brought
To families I cannot find ;-

Long for John Goodman's have I sought,
To tell them Hal's not far behind."

"Oh! does he live!" my father cried ;My mother did not stay to speak;

My Jessy now I silent eyed,

Who throbb'd as if her heart would break.

My mother saw her catching sigh,
And hid her face behind the rock,
While tears swam round in every eye,

And not a single word was spoke.

"He lives indeed! this kerchief see,-
At parting his dear Jessy gave;
He sent it far, with love, by me,
To show he still escapes the grave."

An arrow, darting from a bow,
Could not more quick the token reach;
The patch from off my face I drew,
And

gave my voice its well-known speech.

"My Jessy dear!" I softly said,—
She gaz'd and answer'd with a sigh;
My sisters look'd, as half afraid;
My mother fainted quite for joy.

My father danced around his son,-
My brothers shook my hand away;
My mother said, "her glass might run.
She car'd not now how soon the day."

"Hout, woman!" cried my father dear,
"A wedding first, I'm sure, we'll have;
I warrant we'll live a hundred year,
Nay, may be, lass, escape the grave."

1. Was the soldier expected home? 2. What time in the day did he reach his native cot?

3. How were his father and mother and the rest of the family engaged?

4. Name the friend to whom Jean was whispering.

5. What might the effects of his sudden entrance have been?

6. How did he manage to avoid giving them too great a surprise?

7. Who only recognised him at once? 8. How did Tray show that he knew him? 9. What word engaged their loves at once, and why?

10. Of whom did the old man speak? 11. What reply did the soldier make? 12. Who is Hal, and what is the full name?

Miss Blamire.

13. What was the father's name? 14. What effect was produced by the information that Harry was alive?

15. What is meant by the rock in verse 13th ?

16. Who knew the kerchief well, and why did she know it so well?

17. Who tainted, and how did the father act?

18. How did the brothers act, and what did the mother say?

19. What mean you by glass in verse 17th?

20. Who watched over the poor soldier in the battle field, and brought him home in safety?

21. Into whose hands should we ever commit ourselves?

IV. KING CANUTE.

"CANUTE, the greatest and most powerful monarch of his time, sovereign of Denmark and Norway, as well as of England, could not fail of meeting with adulation from his courtiers; a tribute which is liberally paid, even to the meanest and weakest princes. Some of his flatterers, breaking out one day in admiration of his grandeur, exclaimed, that everything was possible for him; upon which the monarch, it is said, ordered his chair to be set on the sea-shore, while the tide was rising; and as the waters approached he commanded them to retire, and to obey the voice of him who was lord of the ocean. He feigned to sit some time in expectation of their submission; but when the sea still advanced towards him, and began to wash him with its billows, he turned to his courtiers, and remarked to them, that every creature in the universe was feeble and impotent, and that power resided with one Being alone, in whose hands were all the elements of nature; who could say to the ocean, Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther; and who could level with his nod the most towering piles of human pride and ambition."-Hume's History of England.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »