A Father's Gift. 505 by the sad tidings that her father was very ill, and thought to be dying. On her arrival she found this to be but too true, her beloved parent was fast approaching the end of his most useful life. This was indeed a trial for poor Mary. She had, from her childhood, been used to see the sickness of her mother, and had often, and sorrowfully, watched her pale looks, till, fondly as she loved her, she had, as it were, became accustomed to think of her death as near-but, with her father, the case had been far otherwise: he was a hale strong man, active and industrious, and appearing not to know what bodily pain and sickness were, and thus suddenly to be called to see him laid low,-to hear his feeble voice say, "Mary, I am dying," went like a thunderbolt to her heart; and nothing could have supported her under the shock, but the early teaching which this beloved parent had given her, of the duty of entire submission to the will of God. He had always endeavoured to make her understand that we must feel, not merely say, "thy will, not mine be done." 66 Weep not for me, my child, my dear obedient child," said he, taking her hand, " rather bless God that, through his mercy, your poor sinful father can say, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.' Oh praised for ever be the Lord, for this his unspeakable mercy, that, at this awful moment, when I feel that I am about to appear before him, I can wholly rely for the pardon of my sins on the allperfect merits of my Saviour, and the atonement of his precious blood; and through him I trust I am about to enter into never-ending joy." Then turning to his weeping wife, "remember, my love," said he, "that the same Almighty God, who now speaks this blessed peace to my departing soul, has promised that he will never leave nor forsake you; for you are one (thanks be to his grace) who trust in him, who will now, in this your hour of trial, turn NO. 11.-VOL. VII. Ꮓ to him, and he will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Think on all his blessed, comforting promises. 'When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee.' When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.' 'For a moment have I forsaken thee; but with great might will I gather thee.' 'He will, be sure, make good these glorious promises to you, my dear wife. Our dear Mary too will be a comfort to you, will you not my child, and all my children?" said the dying man, turning to them as they stood weeping round his bed. You will all strive to comfort your poor mother, and each other: but this you cannot do, unless you all trust in the Lord your God, and serve him with all your hearts." Then, giving to each his last blessing, he clasped his hands, saying, “Be thou, all-gracious Lord, a husband to my widow, father to my children; strengthen and bless them, and take me to thine everlasting rest, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, my God, and my Saviour!" With this word his last breath was drawn, and the pale damp of death was spread over that countenance, which, but a few days before, had been full of life and health. William, the promised husband of Mary, had followed her to the village, in order to attend the burial of her beloved father; and when, after the sad ceremony, he was talking over with her the plans for the family, "let us, my dear Mary," said he, “hasten our marriage, that our home may be their home, and that by our care we may cheer the heart of your poor mother; and be sure that I will do my very best for her and the children. Mary was much affected by this kind warmth of feeling, but she thought it better that it should rather be delayed in consequence of their ી A Father's Gift. 507 loss. Mrs. Tarlton had benevolently written to Mary, and had assured her how entirely Mr. Tarlton and herself were inclined to assist and serve her, who had so faithfully served them. "Stay with your poor mother a few weeks, my good Mary," wrote the kind lady, " and then come back to me, that we may talk over the matter, and determine what we can best do for yourself and family."— Mary took this advice, and, when she returned, was moved to many tears to find what had been done and what was still doing for her."Your master and I have, you know, been long wishing to establish a regular Village School near us, and during your absence, Mary, we have had the old farm house at the end of the park, repaired for this purpose. You shall be the school-mistress and William the schoolmaster. There are now two good school-rooms in it, and the rest of the house will, we hope, make a comfortable dwelling for your mother, her younger children, yourself, and your husband; for we agree with William, that your home should be your poor mother's home; the furniture of the house is our marriage gift to you; in a few weeks it will all be ready; let the day of your removal to it, be your wedding-day; and," added she, as she kindly took the hand of the grateful, weeping Mary, "continue to serve your heavenly Master in true faith and deep humility, and, as (in obedience to Him) you have served your earthly ones this is the surest way to happiness here on earth, and how great, how sure will be your everlasting happiness in Heaven!" E. M. HYMN XVIII. Against Scoffing and calling Names. I. OUR tongues were made to bless the Lord, And not speak ill of men; When others give a railing word, We must not rail again. II. Cross words and angry names require To be chastis'd at school; III. But lips that dare be so profane, At holy things or holy men, IV. When children in their wanton play Serv'd old Elisha so! And bid the prophet go his way, V. God quickly stopt their wicked breath, That tore them limb from limb to death, VI. Great God, how terrible art thou To sinners e'er so young; Grant me thy grace, and teach me how I. QUEST. What does this Hymn guard us against? Q. What do we learn from the Scriptures on this point? C Dr. Watts's Hymns for Children. 509 A. 1 Peter iii. 8, 9. "Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but, contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." II. Q. What should be done to those who use cross words, and call each other angry names ? A. They should be punished. Q. What is he in danger of, who calls his brother a fool? A. Hell-fire. Q. Why is he in danger of this? A. Because if he speaks these words in hatred and anger, it is the first step towards murder. Q. What is the character which the Scriptures give us of those who hate their brethren? A. 1 John iii. 15. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." III. Q. And what shall become of those who are so prophane as to mock at holy things or holy men? A. "The Lord shall cut them off." IV, V. Q. Where do we find a very striking instance of this? A. In the second chapter of the second book of Kings, which contains an account of the manner in which God punished those wicked children who mocked his prophet Elisha. VI. Q. What is the prayer with which you close this Hymn? |