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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MirooCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No, 2) 1.0 I.I 1.25 tIA II 2.8 m l|||i=M 2.5 M 111112 1.4 2.0 1.8 1.6 A APPLIED IM/IGE Inc IS* Mom Street •fir. New York 14609 •,.^ I ,. ■ ) ;4y . i- .'< W T' 1"! Y( H:-- 1.^ W^^Q ■/■ t_,:^v CiiA_RiTY^^ ^■^'. ODillNEsaX N I^A Tl ENcg ^ -r A-V. TTItE HPE RANGE . k\ \-'' Knowledge _v-.. t Vir: r~T^' I Ff\IT« ^^ivS AM) UlNlil-.K\ •>! HISTOKICAI, I'riil.lSlll.NC, CilMrANV, run ADKl.l'HIA. I'A. INTRODUCTION. i Many, many y ja.s ago, as a child, the attention of the writer was especially called to a very crude picture of the Tree of Life, representing it as bearing varieties of fruit -which are produced hy extcy Christian life. This picture made an indelible impression on his mind, and he has long been endeavoring to bring forth in his own life and work the various fruits which go towards the making-up of the well- developed Christian life and character. Although he has fallen far short of his aspirations, and often finds himself in the " Slough of Despond," and deeply mortified at his failures and shortcom- ings, still he believes that he is better off for having tried to fulfill what he believed to be God's will. The strong impression made by the picture above alluded to and the suggestions contained in it have grown on him, until he has longed to place them in a more beautiful and enduring form before others. The results of thinking and working in this line are shown in the following pages of "The Beautiful Tree of Life." With the able assistance of aix excellent literary co-worker, he has endeav- ored to gather together from many sources the brightest gems treating on the difTerent phases of Christian life and character, and present them in such a way as they may be exceedingly help- ful to people in all the walks of life. The blessed and beautiful truths as they are brought out in these pages are adapted to the comprehension, and will rightly direct the thoughts, of the child and the youth, while there is also much especially designed to strengthen and encourage and comfort those of mature years. This is intended to be a book for use— a bright and ever-help- ful and entertaining companion— whether we are basking in the fullness of Christian sunshine and life, and "rejoicing with those that rejoice," or -whether we are in sadness or sorrow, "weepinj; ., .^.. M.vcj'C Uiat weep.' [3] lidi'od action. While the reading matter is of such character as to make the hook worlli its ^vcight in gold, the artistic department has received . pecial attcn;ion, and the book is emb( llishcd by many beautiful illustrations, \vhich will charm the mind through the eye and help to more forcibly impress the wonderful truths presented in tin; text. It is a book that may be read from cover to cover with interest and profit In* those who have the leisure and inclination; but one main thought that has been upon our minds in its preparation is to present, in an attractive and convenient form, daily food and refreshment for the minds and the hearts of the busy workers of the world, who can but stop a moment by the wayside to gather here and tlure a morsel that they can digest and utilize in beauti- fying their lives, as well as in cpreaUing happiness and sunshine about them. IIow often has a few lines here and a paragraph there gone straight home to our hearts, bringing a sense of unexpected joy and satisfaction! How often has the good word spoken been an arrow of ccMiviction to the heart of the wayward, .'uid proved to be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver"! Trusting and believing that it contains much that will warn from the wrong, and encourage and stimulate its readers in the pursuit of the good, "The Beautiful Tree of Life" is now sent on its mis- sion by THE COMPILERS. CONTENTS. CHAKITV, l'\ Charity Maukiiid'3 Concern If You have an Enemy " It is more Blcfsod to Give than to Receive" irco R The Spirit, not the Gift. True Giving Charity Forgiving Others Tlie Good Samaritan Jack's Story A Noble Revenge A Touching Story Charity and Good Nature ■ True Charity Arises from Faitli iu tlie Promise of God , A Christian after all ChriKtiau Cliarity ■ Charity is Divme No Character is more Glorious Do Good unto All A Story of True Charity Have Charity It was Pride Help One Another "The Lord's Doin's" Charity Charity is Essential No Excess in Charity Charity n Virtue of the Heart True Charity As the End Draws Near " He that Saveth a Soul iYom Death ' , " A Cup of Cold Water" " Father, Forgive Them " liK. Sfi 8fi 70 84 80 93 96 97 106 135 144 152 100 180 213 220 220 226 242 23H 278 299 80S 309 322 353 353 453 4X 4S2 4sa 490 FAITH. reinptaliiiiis Strengthen the Faith Set'il-tinio and Harvest Talie Huld of his IJauii ... 2() 19 »-^f-mii^M^P!S<^J (> Con fen fa PAGE. iMiith's OIllTiiiK- .52 Wc Walk Ijy Fiiitli (V2 Sometimo, Boniuu Iilto 7;> Telling Jesus 77 Trust In God 83 I'laty's Faith , . , 86 Faith 90 A Lesson of Trust 91 Have Faith and Ftruggloon 105 A Wonmii's Faitli 120 A Stran^'e Stovy 123 "I have Kept the Faitli" 127 Faith's Wiug 128 A Message from the Father 110 "As I.ittlu Childreu" 1G2 Faith 107 "Sown by the Wayside" 103 Have Faith ISO Have Faitli in God 182 The only Way to have a Friend 184 Last Words of liishop Haven 187 The Faith vhich you must Keep 1S9 A Child's Rrply 200 Hia Mother's God 217 " I Want to be Prayed for" 218 Pray without Ceasing 214 Hold on to (i'jd 251 A Little Boy's Faith 253 Conimiun'ou by Faith 253 The Power of Faith 291 The Soul is a Tenijile 298 "Tl'.ou shall Know Hereafter" 303 Trust God in Trial 306 Amen 317 Loss of Faith 327 Faith, Hope and Love ' 331 Grace Teaches us 331 No Light 310 Hannah's Faith 3.I7 All for tiie Best 347 Reiiuireinont 3j0 The Bible a Book of Faith 350 Tako God at his Word 352 Calling' the Roll in Heaven 395 "Thy V.'ill be Pone" 4O0 An Ever-Present Saviour , 411 ( Vt Trust *14:5 Ik'ir To-day, King To-morrow 4" Unanswered Prayers • 417 A New Lesson in Trust 417 Faith and Repentance . , 402 "I.ol I am with You Alway" 455 Halting Aniens '^'^'■i A Word In Season 459 "When Thou GoestTlirDUgU the Fires" 460 Faith and Prayer 479 The Faith that Makes Faithful 494 HOLINESS AND PEACE. Where to Begin 27 The Fruit of the Spirit S-l Holiness 118 "Blessed are the Pure in Heart" 131 An Answered Prayer 1^ A Prayer for Peace ll^ The Best W ly to Make Peace ll!> Peace with Jod 102 "Peace be within thy Walls" 106 The Infinite Holiness 1C9 Peace 172 The True Comforter 178 Purity the Real Strength 100 " All her Paths are Peace " 205 Rest in the Lord 206 Resting upt u God 217 "He that Docth the Will of God" 251 God's Peace 252 Perfect Peace 277 Songs in the Night 281 Cast your Burdens on the Lord 28'i "Thy Peace shall bo in Much Patience" 290 The Aged Christian 290 True Comfort 291 As a Child who Holds his Fatlier's Hand 292 Peace at Last 295 " Behold, I Brlnsr you Good Tidings " . .,.,,,.,,-., 296 Longing for Peace ^* Co III ( II in rvi.i:. Sanctuary of Peace 835 StnuiKcrs to IVnce 83C Tho l'ili,'nm SCO Tribute to Purity 406 Hidincss tho only True Riches 4-,S Companionship of Christ 492 HOPK. Inlluuiice 27 Echoes from ITeavcn *. 89 One Prcciou? Hope 46 Hope's Sons,' 48 Never bo Cast Down 48 His IIo[io 54 A Pleasing Ilojie gi A Well-foundeil Hope lOG Never Despair 119 No Night In Heaven 171 Not Lost 173 Take Hope from the Heart of Man 174 Hope 181 Heaven will not 1)0 a Ptrango Place 188 Hope and Patience 189 "The Days of thy Mourninj? shall be Ended" 102 A New Snntr 198 Better than All my Hnpes 220 V'hero there is no Hojie 241 Will it be a Home? 2S4 Bo of (lood Courage 293 Work In Hope 294 Tho Christian's Hope 299 To tho Believer 320 Faith, Hope, and Love 331 Time and Eternity .... 337 The Best Friend ! ! ." ! 41.-) There is One who Bules tho Sea 415 Hope . 4ji^ He who Endures 4j3 Helpful Hope 437 HUJIILITY. Meekness 25 Humble Instruments , 26 Humility and Holiness g^ Meekness i-j^ Our Daily Bread 73 ('niit< nf> \) PArt Contents. U I'ATIKNCl-l PAOK. r.iir'lfii-l"'ariT5! •_'•' (itiil Ml. ts III) MistukiN "" You can Pray VO Afflictions Show m the Darkness of tNe World 184 IIoiH! und Patience 1*^5 r.Uience S'lO A Lesson for Mothers 2.S7 I'titionce a Christian Virtue !'!!■'* ratlence 107 The Discipline of Trouble 4'22 Patience and Enthusiasm '•'-"•' Endure the Present with Patience 4:^1 " For All who Come " 110 Patience, Faith and Hope "IM The Reward of Patience 471 God's Gift of Peace 487 The End Is Peace 491 TEMPERANCE. Saved by a Song ^2 The Soul on Top "11 The Sin which Doth so Easily Beset us -M Courage of Convictions 165 Resolution "^'^ Ix)ok Out, Young Man I l**'-! A Great Temperance Example 202 Temperance Requisite for Happiness 2iM Sowing ami Reaping 3:U Pleasures of Temiwrance 3''0 First Lessons ir Temperance S'^l The Man who Kept Himself in Repair 362 A Short Temperance Lecture 409 Temperance Arithmetic 468 Little Sins 490 TRUTH, " A Lie Sticks" '2 "Do ye Steadfast" ... 109 Truthfulness 115 Truth 130 About Truth 131 A Noble Revenge 144 •• !!i' \v!ii<'h Hnwc'Ji Spu'inuh sliiill Ki^mj. nlsn SjiiiiiiiL'ls "' 149 'rrutlifuliies.s l-'l 12 ConlcnlH. I \',i. "When I ' -ivo a Moro Conventunt Seiuson" 152 Truth (I Fnlsohoi, i,!!' A 1h ir>-, 100 ini i)'>i 20.') 210 211 First Lt sHOu . u 1 lllU Hoj,'ilili lit; A 8<)Ul lit AucUuii Tfits pirst Sill 2M If.». . . 2ril Tho Circiit OcL'iiii ofTnitli. . 277 Tnitli is I'uru 278 Tlic ViuituKi'-firouiul of Tnitli 292 Truth (Jivos Jny 203 Let there bo Truth between Us .722 All Thiiips Piieiik Truth SOO Tlie AVay, the Truth ami tho Life r!Cl "He tliiit is Faithful in Little" vm The Cliiistiaii aiul the Iiifulel 410 The Shallow of Death 430 Justieo 431 Teaching of the .-pirit 430 Truth Told Loviii!,'ly 4.-,6 His Word a Lii^lit to my Feet 491 A Royal Truth 492 VIRTUE. Heconiiuj,' a Christian 23 Whatever thy Hand Flndeth to Do, Do with thy Might . 56 Goodness tliat Counts 60 Whither are you (ioiug? 71 Order and Virtue in tho Home 94 Pray without Ceasing 100 Who Is my Neighbor? IDS Virtue 1,X) Virtue IGl Duty 1G7 We nre Most Like God wlien wo are Willing to Forgive 187 Orov.iiig in Grace 194 VirtiV; is an Ornament 199 The Piece thut wna Lost 227 Cmitnifi*. Virtue WImt Bliiill the ITarvcBt be? i:it'nial YoiUh ■ "StrniKht is tho Lino of Duly" A Utile ^i^'ht Virtue It Is Good u Know Much ... rill' Vahio of Good Tcinf>er Ill Tt-mixjr Iiiiliist-.y Do not Trillo with Sin .... Uulolonco l.ifo a Duty "Whatsoevir thy Hand Flndeth to Do, Do with hII thy Ml:;lit". Temptation of the Devil Duty "Tliou Toil'st to Build thy Selfish Walls" The Sucrinco of Christ ;ioi :tr,t :v.i() -ill •117 'It Divine Grace '"'' The Race and the Prize 't'|l t liristianity Teaches Heroism "'•' Common Tasks '''0 Tlie Cliristian Soldier ■I'O CoiHiuering One's Self **"'"' No Man Liveth to Himself Alone ■i'''> The Fruit of the Spirit ■l'^> You have no Right to Withhold from Others 481 WISDOM. Life a Battle Do your Best Tlie Unfruitful Fig Tree . The Master Calls for You , "Choose ye this Day whom ye will Serve". :iO . 44 .50 6;i M Wisdom Is llealth H" Every Man his Brother's Keeper 1-1 A Good Rule 122 "Be ye Ready" I'lS Wisdom ^^"^ "The Ox Knoweth his Owner" 154 .\. Living Religion 156 IGl -'17 :36 <8 Wisf Made Content Contoifs. I'ACK. A Word of ■Wisdom 193 Selfishness 198 True Wisdom 205 Work for All . , 212 Tha One Thing Needful 218 Wise Counsel 222 Faithfulness 22G It is Better to Suffer Wrong than to Do it 250 "Wise unto Siilvntion' ... 250 Wisdom is True Greatness 252 A Wise Man 252 The Perfeetion of Wisdom 292 Be Wiser To-day than Yesterday 306 Choose Ye 308 "Whatsoever a Man Soweth that shall he also Mean" 325 Comfort for the Doubting , ,329 The Juilf,'menl Pay 332 There is a Time 3-11 It Takes Two to Make a Quarrel 3 ifi Angry Words 351 He that is Slow to Anger 351 All my Treasures are with Me 353 The Way of Life 358 "The Way of the Trangressor is Hard" 3(U God's Ways 392 The Book of Books 392 Let no Condition Surprise you 395 The Worldling 39() "Thy Word a Lamp unto my Feet" 399 Preparation 412 " llo that is Slow to Anger" 430 Look Up 412 Let Men LiUigh 440 Obedience 402 A Question 462 Sins and Shadows 405 Heal Success 472 "Be ye Doers of the Word" 474 Opportunity 490 Time is Paternity 491 The Model Sund.iy-school Scholar 490 The Mwlel Christian Man 499 The Model Woman 505 (iflliii.t; and ! Christianity Bcj^ins in the Home 2S "Life la a Battle" 3) Saved by a Song 3-1 "Seed-time and Harvest Shall not Fail" 38 "Echoes from Heaven" 40 Wise Builders 4;[ "And our Beloved have Departed while we Tarry Broken-hearted". ... 47 Faith's Offering 53 Hope 55 Our Master was a Carpenter 57 Comfort for the Burden-bearer f,l "Feed my Lambs," said Christ, the Shepherd 6,5 A Hard Test t>7 Search the Scriptures Cg "Where is my Mamma?" 75 "There are Briars Besotting every Path" 79 "If your Flight is with the Angels on Wings of Faith" 85 Madonna and Cliild 89 Learning to be Helpful 95 Not so Beautiful as a Moniunent of Kind Deeds yi) "I Don't Believe in Filling the Church with Children" 102 "The Little Foxes that Spoil the Vines" m Truth 116 "Not a Sparrow Falleth," etc v>'> 'He'll Read our Tangled Lives Aright, whether we Sob or Sing" ]2'j "Blessed are the Pure in Heart" i:;;! lied-Time . 113 "Now 1 Lay me Down to Sleep" k;:} The Comforter 179 Safe In Smooth Waters 183 A Mother's Joy 197 "The Ransomed of the Lord shall Return" 2OI A Restful Scene 207 "Shoot those Sheep" 215 Niiiring till' Close n| a Well-spent bile •ji'* [15] 10 Lid (,/ I/lustratiovM. The Lost Sheep. , . "The Piece that was" Lost" 'I'lie Crown c.f Thorns. A Faitliful rrioiHl . . . .' Bora into a Happy Homo ". Alirahain ''The Hoary IleadWa" Crown 'of ('nory" A Home wliere Kindness Kei-ns A Promise of Harvest . . ° "How wilt tliuii Won.ler wlieii tluno VV,'/,,;. \r "Tiii'v'll ho n c;„i.» . „ nunc J:,\ed Jio More uro mS. ^'',''^;^'" " Coinpany for Each Other" . . . . Upon the Wliite Sea Sand The Sheplierd Knowcth Best. A Little Light Tempernnee ' Nature Spealis to lIie'Thnn^htfui Spirit "A Bit of the Country" ... Ho Feeds ids Flock. ."...'.'.' Keliglon "Papa P.efiised to Kiss nie" "He Holdeth the Sea in his iland" -If KiM Words oo.th,M^^^^^ Humilitv .... "Doesti :;n niorrow " oes the Road Wind UpluU All theWay?"" lie IS Heir To-da.v, and will be King To-nio A Lesson from the Deep. J" mo, Close on the Borders of Eternity Obeying Cai>tain's Orders. . . Birds and Flowers .... Be Patient [ ' Happy Birds Children In the Country . . ', Cheerfulness under Difliculties •The Smallest Roadside Pool haVit« \vi,,' 'r ' \ Wild Flow.rs ^^ ""■''' ^'■"™ Heaven " Child iind .\i;c iiooi Tail-1'ieee 'I'he Kiiifj's l)auj,diters ■i"re<' nf Death . . t'A(;r;. • . 229 . . 23;5 . . 2i:i . . 2iy • . 259 . . 279 . . 2.SJ ■ . 2sy • . 303 ■ . 307 • . 815 . . 321 ■ . 32S . . 3l;5 • . 315 ■ . 855 . . 359 ■ . 3C5 . 309 . 383 . 891 . 397 . 405 . 41G . 421 . 425 . 433 . 441 . 445 . 449 . 457 . 403 . 407 . 473 477 48;' 489 493 495 4UH 504 507 513 I i'.\(;r;. . . 229 . . 233 . . 2-13 . . 2i'J . . 259 . . 279 . . 283 . . 2S9 . . 303 • . 807 . . 815 . 821 . 82.S . 813 . 315 . 855 . 859 . 305 . 309 . 353 . 891 . 397 . 405 . 410 . 421 . 425 . 433 . 441 . 445 449 457 403 407 473 477 4S;-' 489 493 495 ■19.S 501 507 513 I'I'i !']i''pFj!'}"5=j'7-f|i"t]''r-pj'-|!^'|i|||'|-|'fi«!^ff|'f^»i^^^ "And he showed me A PURE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE, Clear as crystal. PROCEEDING OUT OF THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB. In tlie miJst of the street of it, and on eitlier side of tlie river, WAS THF.RB IHE TREE OF LIFE. which bare t welve manner of fruits, aiid_yielded her fr uit every month: and th e le aves of th e tree were for the healing of the nations.'" |t..t.i.«..i..^.t..t-..i-i . i ('.fit ■ I i i • t • • • ■. i ■ ■ • < i i. i i i i-i.i ■ (..i * IIVio (in 'I'lK-^i III lliijlil Arni^." I I A .-^ 18 The Beautiful Tree of Life. "Who are These i.v Bright Array?" Very few men in this world are happy, except those who have lost all things for Christ's sake. The life which has had the most smitiiigs and victories, that has carried a man up and on with persistent courage, with dominating faith, and witli content- ment, and that has developed in him strenuous, pure, right manhood, is tho life that every man ought to covet and to seek. If God sends any other things take them ; hut above all things take this. Do not gain the whole world and lose your own soul. There are names that now fill t]i(> air, names that resound like the stroke of a drum, and all men arc watching and studying thorn; Ijut when the end comes, and the account of their life is taken, what with their ambition, what with their fame, what with their wea^,h, their whole experience will dcclj'n^thal they never had great happiness in life. P^rom iu;tny a poor cottage, from many a poor-house, from jails, from gibbets and from dungeons, in the last day there will rise the sweetest sounds of music; and, as in the Apocalyptic vision, it shall be asked, ''Who are these in bright array?" and the answer shall be, "These are they that have come out of tribulation, [19] I 20 Tlir Bmutiful Tree of Life. ;iih1 liiivr w.'islic'l tlu'lf f"l>«'S wliitciii tho blood of Ihc !.:niil)."' Thcsi" ;tiv ilif.v wIk., witli miidi sufFcr- iim, hiivc \)vr\\ lifted (>u( nt' tlioii' int'crjor condition io ii superior oiir. Tlioy are God's elect, they arc crowned kin^i^s and priests unto (lod. And when (iod sluill come, ;nid nil thiii.^s shall be iiKulc cl(\ar iii-thc Inst .urent dny. iimy it he that yon :md I shnll not be nllo.LtcOier void of i\n experienc(* ill this urest, arel noblest, niid best in ns, be in the ascend- ency, thnt we mny come instnntly into the presence of .lesns, thni we mny be nble nt once to speak the lan,siualiull Sdfi II 09 The Bcaufiful Tree of TJfe. licr iV,r tlio sake of tlio ](»vo that she has for her cliihhvn. She i> living- a life that may ho said to he dyiiiL;' daily, yiddiiiij; up hci'sclf in cvci'V direction, iiitcliectually and socially, for the sake of those whom (. At last she stands in her ol world eairerlv seeks has she found: noi' has she taste(l one , ins had more real eiijoyiuent than the scdiish person who ha\e ])ursueil theii" own jiei'sonal jov throuf]jli life. Ano-els, lookin,u- down, and knowing her in- ward experience. se(^ that while the lower fountains of pleasure have heen shut to lier, th<' hio-hest foun- tinns of jileasure have heen open to her, and thatshe has e.\])erience(l more f^enuine satisfaction than those whom the ^vorld envies, and whom she cuu afford to despise. The Beautiful Tree of Llj'r. 23 Mkx have an idea that in becoming a Cliristian you liavo got to forego a great many things. You forego nothing except thoso thing^^ which, being fore- gone, increase tho capital where your chief happiness is. A man wlio becomes a Christian gives up tlio lower for the sake of developing the higlicr. All self- denial is choosing. It is choosing a better thing instead of a poorer one. It is tho victory of the supe- rior man ovm- the inferior man. In a man that is a rhrislian the rational triumphs over the aiiiiiiiil. It is Gabriel with tho dragon underneath that rei)r<- sent< «elf-denial. Tiie dragon has gone under; it is with a, great deal of S([nirming often, hni h(> has gone under; and tho angel is on the t(.[.. The principle of self-denial consists simi'ly in so nuich of suffering as is necessary to put undt'r an inferior tendency, or action or deportment of life, in order to give power, ascendency, beauty and joy to tlie highest develop- UKMlt. T vou are so sitnaleil ihat yon imiu after the things which are virtuous and nohle without any self-denial, thank (Jod and keep running. Heaven- is greatly made up of little children — sweet buds that have never 1)lown, or which death has plucked from a mother's bosom lo lay on his own cold breast, just when they were expanding, llower-likc, from the sheath, and opening their cii;',:!; ing beau- ties in the budding time and spring of life. "Of Thr Bnnit'ifnl Trrr nf Li f, such is tlic kiii;jjiluiii <»r liciivcii."' Indeed, my bo that (lixl (lo(^s with his hetivenly u as wc d^ with (lur own !j,ai'dens. He may (diiefly stock it tVotii imi'sei'ies. and select loi" < ransjdantinjjj wiiat is yet in its younuand tender a^( — llowcMS ])ef()i'e they ha\'e l)|i»(jnied. and trees ere they be^iu to bear. Tut: Xr:vt:ii ExniNc Powkr oi' Iniliknck. Ni»w. wlioever brings up a little uronp of ehildi'en riulil, niaidy and womanly, and sets tlicin forth in I he world, is a l»lessinu', not to those children alone, hut to all who. tlirouuh them, shall be blosed ; and no man can nicasui'e that. When yon throw a j-tonc into lh(> water on the alii^i' of tin; ocean, yon nuiysee that t ; t^ circles are unini;' out, hut you cannot seo liow hir they are u'oim;'. They run beyond your sijulit. When ('lirist is d(^ve1o})e(l in us, and when every year we can bear witnesstliat more and nioi'e t'ruitiul lire tht^ l)oU!j,hs ot" divine lov(,' in our soul, there is reason for gratulation. I Mkkknkss. Mf.kknkss! If a man strikes yon on one check will \()M turn the other"/ Arc you anv better than you Were twenty year< av,'o in that res[)ecl ? Do you ever go into this garden of the Spirit with the pruning knife, or are you Just going on that old idea, " 1 wn- I 20 The Beautiful Tnr of Life convicted of sin; 1 was converted "V When you fol- low tho spiritual life of tlio New Testament y(.u will son that them is not u word said hen; about ffoin^ to meetin,!:; ; llic instnnnents are left to you, liberty is given to you. V>ut tho interior state, love, joy, peace, longsulfcrinn-, kindness, goodness, nuM^kness, temper- ance — if a iiwin lias taken tin--' «|ualiti('S and really develoj»i'(l jh.'ut. ose any ordinarily ra- tional man could resist him if he went to talk to him (.11 the subject of ivligion? CouLl anything be more ])rofitable than such an examination of the (|ualities, iind anything nioiv pro].er than 1:« live iij. to ii higher standard hereafter, to live a nie.reanh lit Christian life? IIUMBLK InSTHI'MKNTS. Wji.mam Wnrr owed his conversion to a negro nurse. This old servant prayed for him, and he knew it ; in hi- i)ride h<- resisttd the influence tliat he was co.iscious was acting upon him; but by and bv the ]K)wer of / TJfr. 20 if Ih.iuc is 11. .( n Ix'ttoT iinrl li;i[.j.i(r ]>hi(T for our liviii-- in it. if Hi'''''' ^^ 3^<'f '"^ iiillnciir"^ o(,ii,u- „ut tVom"iis, (lay l»y .lay, silently .Irav iii.i^Mlioso about us in the ri,«;-lit diivction, IIhmi it is tiui<> f..r us 1.) st..]) wlu've we ans and bc-iu b. .■xaiuinc inte .mr title 1.. I ho luiino of Christian. Christianity— C/n-/s^?/'/.T//^.s.s'. Ts that ours? Ar.- wc possess(Ml\)f that? An- w.* j.aticnt, kiiul, lon-- suilorin.t;, forbcarino;, scekinj^- with all our hearts to ,ln u-o.HCdroa.rinjr with all our hearts to uDruiu-; it lightens the cares nf th." .lay and makes tli.' household and all r afhiirs move along nior." smo.'thly. Speak kindly at night, for it may bo that before ilu' dawn some'love.l nur may tiidsh his ..r her space ,,r lif.-, au.l it will b." t..o late t.. ask forgiveness. Speak kin.lly at all tiuu's; it .'U.-ourages the d..\vn- cMst, .-h.'.'rs th<' sorrowing, au.l v. ry likely awakens tl„/' erring t.) earnest n^solvcs to do better, with strenuth t.) kee]) them. Kind w..rds are balm o> th.' soul. Th(\v oil up th.- cutire machinery of life and keep it in good running order. — Anonymous. 30 The Beautiful Tree of Life. Life a Battle. Above all things, teach children what their life is. It is not breathing, moving, playing, sleeping, simply. Life is a battle. All tlioiiglitfiil people see it so. A battle between good and evil from childhood. Good infhiences, drawing us iij) toward the divine; bad influences, drawing ns down to 1 lie l)rute. Midway we stand, between the divine and Hie brute. IIow to cultivate the good side of the nature is the great- est lesson of life to teach. Teach children that they lead these two lives: the life without and the life williin; and that the inside must be pure in the sight of (Jod as well as the outside in the sight of men. There are five means of learning. Those are: Ob- servation, rtniding, conversation, memory, reflection. Educators sometimes, in their anxiety to secure a wide rang(> of studies, do not sufhciently impress upon llicir scholars the value of memory. Now, our memory is one of Hie most wonderful gifts God has bestowed upon us, and one of tlie most mysterious. Take a tumbler and ixiur water into it; bv-and-bv yoii can ])our no more; it is full. It is not so with the mind. You cannot fill it full of knowledge in a whole lifetime. Pour in all you please, and it still thirsts for more. Remember this: Knowledge is not wlia.t vou learn, but what \'ou remember. IS. y. A .(1 u\ ly w .t- y rv it j- a iS ir IS y ii a II •■Lift /.>■-( ISiitlh:" 31 n-2 Thr Benufifvl Tree nf TJff It js not what you oat, ]>u1 w hat V(ai disrest, that Ilia kcs yr)u o-row It is not tlio money you liandh', l)ut that you kccj) that makes vou rich you romcnilx'i aiH It is not wliat you study, but what I reflect u{)()ii, that makes you learned. Ono more suggestion: Above all things else, strive to tit the cliild ren m vu: men and your charg(> io ]n^ useful men and Avom women you may be ])roud of in afterdife. Wliil(> they are young, teach tlieni that far al)ove jdiysical .•ourage, wliicli will lead tliem to face the cannon's mouth— above wealth, which would u'ive tl lem farms and liouses, and bank stocks and gold — is jiioral cour- age; tliat couj'age by Avhicli tliey will stand fear- lessly, frankly, firmly, for the right. Every man or woman who dares to stand for the right when evil has its legions, is the true moral victor in this life and in the land beyond the stars. — Ifou. Srhm/Jn- Cnlf Saved iiv a Soxc. TiiERK is music in the W(M'd home. To tlie old it brings a bewitching strain from th(> harp of memory ; to the young it is a reminder to all that is near and d(\u- to them. Among the nuiiiy songs we are wont to listen to, there is not one more cherished than the touching melody of "Ibune, Sweet Iloiiie." V\'iH you go back witli me a k^w years, dear reader, in the history of the past, and traverse in ^ . •«*?^ri!i^T*fJW!»'«WBW!^'"^^'»Sik^«^^ . TJic Beautiful Trc-*' of Life. ?v:\ imagination \\\o o;ay streets and gilded .saloons of Paris, that onco bright centre of ilic world's follies and pleasures? Passing through its splendid thor- KUghfares is one (an Englishman) who has left his iiomo and native land to view the s[)lendors and v\\- ioy the pleasures of a foreign country. He liashoheld with delight its paintings, its sculpture, and tlie grand yet gracefnl ()roj)ortions of its buildings, and has yielded to the s[)ell of the sweetest muse. Yet, in the midst of his iveenest happiness, wIkmi he was rejoicing mos' over the privileges lie possessed, temp- tations assailed him. Sin was presenteil to him in one of its most bewitching garbs. Ho drank wildly and deeply of the intoxicating cu]), and his draught l)rought madness. Reason was overwhelmeil. and lie rushed out, all liis scruples overcome, careless of what he did or how deeply ho became immersed in the hitherto unknown sea of guilt. The cool niglit air lifted the damp locks from his iieatod brow, and swept with soothing touch over liis fhisiied (dieeks. Walking on, calmer, ])nt no less determined, strains of music from a distance met his eai'. Following in the direction the sound indi- cated, he at length distinguished the words and air. The song was well remembered. It was " Ifome, Sweet Home." Clear and sweet the voice of some English singer rose and fell on tlu^ air, in the soft cadences of that beloved melody. Motionless, the wanderer listened till the last note " Sareil hij n Song. " I The. Beautiful Tree of Life. 35 ■-i ■J tloated away and he could hear nothing but the cease- less murmur of a great city. Then ho turned slowly, \\itli no feeling that his manhood was shamed by the tear which fell as a bright evidence of the power of song. te^>gJ5BLS The demon tliat dwells in the wine had lied, and reason once more asserted her right to control. As the soft strains of " Sweet Home " had floated to his ear, memory brought up before him his own " sweet home." lie saw his gentle mother, and heard her sjx'uk, while honest pride beamed from her eye, of her son, in whoso nobleness and honor she could always trust; and his heart smote him as he thought how little he deserved such confidence. lie remem- I'-rod her last words of love and counsel, rnd the uarful farewell of all those dear ones who gladdened that far-away home with their presence. Well he knew their pride in his integrity, and the tide of re- morse swept over his spirit as he felt what their sor- I'ow would 1)0 could they have seen him an hour before. Subdued and repentant, he retraced his stcj)S, and with his vow never to taste of the terrible draught that could so excite him to madness was mingled a deep sense of thankfulness for his escape from I'urthcr degradation. The influence of home had protected him, though the sea rolled between. Xone can tell how often the commission of crime is prevented by such memories. If, then, tnc spell of home is so powerful, how important it is to make 8r> The Beautiful Tree of Life. it ploasant and lovable! Many a time a cheerful homo ami siniliiiii: faco does more 1o make jTjood men and Wdiiicii Ili;m nil tlH> learning ami eloquence that can he usc(l. It h;is l)een said that the sweetest words in our laiiuuagc nrc "Mother, Iloine and Heaven;" and owo might almost say the word home inchided tln'Ui all; i"y little and hy littl(! gi'eat things are eom[)leted. " Water falling day hy day, A\'eai's the hardest rock away." And so repeated kindness Avill softeji a heart of stone. » " Ix faith and hope the world will disagree, r)Ut all mankind's concern is charity." — Pope. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 37 jind Seed Time and Harvest. A HUSBANDMAN, wlio maiiv years i ad ploughed liis field and sown in tears, ( .rcw weary with his (loiil)ts and fears: " I toil in vain ! tho^ » rocks and sands Will yield no harvest to my hands — The hest seeds rot in barren lands. My drooping vine is withering — No promised grapes its blossoms bring; No birds among the branches sing; My flock is dying on the plain; Tho h( ivens are brass — they yield no rain; The cai •th is iron — I toil in vain ! Whil(^ yet ho spake, a breath had stirred His drooping vine, like wing of bird. And from its leaves a voice he heard: "The germs and fruits of life must bo Forever hid in mystery; Yet none can toil in vain for me. A mightier hand, more skilled tha:i thine, Must liang the clusters on the vine, And make the fields with harvest shine. Man can but work; God can create; But they who work, and watch, and wait. Have their reward, though it come late. Look up to Heaven! behold, and hear The clouds and thunderings in thy ear— An answer to thy doubts and fear." I I I 'S The Beautiful Tree of Life. 30 f h •I Ho looked, luul lo! a cloud-draped car, With trailing smoke and flames afar, Was rushing from a distant star; And every thirsty flock and i)lain Was rising up to meet the rain, That came to clethe the fields witli grain. And on the clouds ho saw again Tho covenant of God with men, Rewritten with his rainhow pen: " Seed time and harvest shall not Aiil, And though the gates of hell assail, My truth and promise shall prevail." — Anonymous. Echoes from Heaven. On tho shores of tho Adriatic the wives of lishor- men whose hushands have gone far out ui)on tho deep are in the habit, at eventide, of going down to tho seashore and singing, as female voices only can, the first stanza of a beautiful hymn. After they have sung it, they listen till they hear, horno by the winds across tho desert sea, the second stanza, sung ])y their gallant husbands as they arc tossed by tho gale upon tho waves. Perhaps, if wo could listen, WG too might hear on this desert world of ours some sound, some whisper, borne from afar, to remind Ui* that there is a Heaven and a home. — John Gumming, D. D. " Kr!,.,is/,;„i, It,,, mi. The Ikautijul Tree of Life. 41 * TiiK Son, ON Toi'. "I keep under my body, and briny it into subjection." — i Cor. ix. 27. LiTTLK Bcrtio Blynn liad just fniisluMl \\[^ ditnicr. Ho was in tho cosy library, k(H'])iii<; still for a lew minuter after oatin*;, according to hi.s mother's rule. Sho got it from the fainily doctor, and a ,u;ood rule it is. TTo had in his hand tu(t line apples — a rich ivd and a green. His father .sat at a window read- ing a newspaper. Presently lui heard the child say: "Thank vou, little ma.ster." I)roj)ping hi.s paper, lie said: " T thought wo were alone, Hertic Who was h(»re just IKAV?" "Nobody, papa; only you and T." * "Didn't you say just now, 'Thank vou, little mas- ter'^" The child did not answer at first, but laughed a shy laugh. Soon he said: " I'm afraid you'll laugh at mo if I tell y u, papa." "' Well, you have just laughed, and why lyn't I? " " But I mean you'll make fun of me." "No, I won't make f " you, but perhaps I'li have fun with you 1 hat will help us digest our roast beef." "I'll tell you about it, papa. I 1 ul eaten my red a}»ple, and wanted to eat the green one, too. Just then I remembered something I'd learned in school about eating, and I thought that one big apple was ;iL 42 TJic Braviiful Tree of Life. onough. My stomacli Avill l.o glad if 1 don't give it tho crnH^n one to n;rind. It seemed to mo for a min- ulo jii^t iis Ji' it said to mo, 'Tlianlc you, little mas- ter,' but I know T said it myself." "Bertie, wliat is that ^Fiss :MeLareu has b(^cn teaching ycu about eating?" '' She told us to be careful not to give our stomachs too much food to griud. If we do, she says, it will make bad blood, that will run u]) into our brains and make iheui -lull aull you about this matter?" "She taught us a verse one day about keeping the soul on top. That wasn't just the wor.l. but it's what it meant." 'MVoren't these the words, 'Ik(>ep uiy body un- der'?" "Oh, yes! that was it; but it means just the same. ]f I V^^Q\) my l)ody nnder, of course my soul is on top." "■ Of course it is, my boy. Keep your soul on top, and you'll belong to the grandest style of man that walks the earth." ,w ^^ i ,wjii ,i >ii« ^^W!f»n-\ xmmm-''"^ .^^•{^^«'^^■^•J» ,^^ »^ fl*!^ \.t V^'V *«-"'""*^ 11 '(V Huihlc'ii. 44 The Beautiful Tree of Life. Bertie put on his coat and cap, and went away to school. ITi.s father took np tlio apple he liad left behind on tlie tal)l(> and i)nt it in his pocket. On liis way lionie, late in the afternoon, lie called at Miss INleLaren's huarding-honse. He gjivo her the apple, and told In^r all that Bertie had said. She could not eat that ai»i>le. Plie wrapped it in rose-colored tissue pap(>r, and laid it in the drawer where she kept her dainty laces and nicest things. She had worked hard in school that day, and was very tired. At night, when her head was resting on its i)illow, the moon looked in through the window and saw tears of joy dropping on it from a sweet face. Do YD UK Best. A JOB slighted, because it is apparently unimpor- tant, leads to habitual neglect, so that men degene- rate, insensibly, into bad workmen. "Tliat is a good rough job," said a foreman in our hearing, recently, and ho meant that it was a piece of work, not elegant in itself, but strongly made and well ])ut together. Training the hand and eye to do work well, leads individuals to form correct habits in other respects, and a good workman is, in most cases, a good citizen. Ko one need hope to rise above his present situation who sutlers small things to pass by unimproved, or who neglects, metaphorically speaking, to pick up a I The Beautiful Tree of Life. 45 (•out bocaupo it is not a dollar. Some of the wisest law-makers, tlie best statesmen, the most gifted art- ists, the most merciful judges, tlic most ingenious iiu'chanics, rose from the great mass. A rival of a certain lawyer sought to humiliate him |,nblicly by saying : " You blacked my father's boots once." " Yes," replied the lawyer, unal)ashed, " and [ did it well." And because of his habit of doing even mean things well, he rose to greater. Take heart, all who toil! all youths in humble situa- tions, all in adverse circumstances. If it bo but to drive the plow, strive to do it well ; if only to cut bolts, make good ones ; or to blow the bellows, keep the iron hot. It is attention to business tluit lifts the feet higher up on tlio ladder. Says the good Book: " Secst thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings; he shall not st-r- 1 before mean men." — Anonymous. Heaven would not be all that wo love unless Christ was there. I would l)e unhappy when I got to Heaven if I could not find him there who redeemed me, who died for me, who bought mo with his own l.loud. Some one asked a Christian man once what he expected to do when he got to lleavi'n. He said he expected to spend tiio first thousand years in looking at Jesus Christ; and after that ho would look for Peter, and then for James, and f.>r Joh.n; und all tho time ho could conceive of would be joy- I 46 The Beautiful Tree of Life. fullv filled ^vitll looking? upon these three great per- sons. But, oh, it seems .o me that one look at Jesus rhrist -will more than reward us for all that ^vo have ever done for him down here; for all the saerifices we can possihly make for him, just to see him; and not <»nl}Mhat, hut avo shall heeomo like him when we oneo have P"en him — we shall he like the Mastei' himself. Jcsu^, tin; Saviour of llie world, will hv there We shall see him face to face. — />. L. Moody. Oxi-; PuKcious HoPK. Am) our heloved have departed, Wliilc wo Inrry, hroken-hearted, \n lli(> dreary, empty house; They have ended life's hrief story, They have reached their home of glory, Over death victorious. Hush that sohhing, weep more liglitly, On Ave travel, daily, nightly. To tlie rev integrity ; I was lured by golden promises; T wa. tl'.reatened ^vith disaster and disgrace, but luy ,^^^,,.1 1,, i,,thn hrm elaspof One who stieketh closer than a brother, and who is strong to save. In mv rectitude i found safety. Had I swerved, I would have gone down to hopeless ruin. Even my tompters, who had hop.d to gain through my de-fec- tion from honor, bore witm^ss to my integrity. And now, having escaped the perils of this dilhcult and Tlie Beautiful Tire of Life. 51 ass, poaci^, pros[)cnty and Imuor ojx'iiccl oil my view. JJiit llio liiLcho.st anru(hlor," ono of his friends sai;ot tho hang of (hit ar worih It's 'l)esottinV "ot "' ups(>ttin'.' " " Ih'udih'r," roi)li(Ml he, '"if (hit's so, it's so ; lint I was prayiii' sin which upsets the strong, ahl(>- hodied man and casts him alongside of the feehle eiies; upsets tho mighty intellect and lo! it is on a ]>ar with tho mental imbecile; upsets the noble, lov- ing heart, and alas! where tenderness onco hold ahso- lut(^ sway cruelty has taken possession. " The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." — Job xxxviii, 7. 52 The Uemdiful Tree of Life. Faith's Offkrixo. Take my lifo, and l<'t it 1)0 Consecrated, Lord, to tlun;. Tako my hands, and let thoni niovo At the impulse of thy love. Take niv foot, and h>t them l)e Swift and beautiful for thee. Take my voice, and let mo sin^ Always, only, for my King. Take mv lip^•. and lot them he FillcMl \nth messages from thee. Take mv silver and mv gohl— Xotamite Avould I Avithhold. Take my moments and my days. Lot them flow in ceaseless praise. Take mv intellect, and use iA-cry power as thou shalt choose. Take my v.-ni, and nrake it thine; It shallbo no longer mine. Take mv heart, it is thine ownl It hhallho thy royal throne. Take my love; my Lord, I pour At thy feet its treasure-store 1 Take myself, and I ^vill be, Ever, only, all for theel — FranccH Ridky IlaaruaL /•Ui7/r> ''ii'iiiii'j. ryal. r.4 Thr nnuiliful Trn: nf life. TlIK I-'rUIT ok THH Sl'IKIT. . TiiKlnnf ni'ilH, Spiritis Inv.., jny, peaco. TJioro IS .■v..rv.lrun,,,,,r, „,,,,, ^vhcn I wmit pcrlbot poac,. ' ""■■"^■""" '•■"■'■ "II <-mI; if i,,v (h,.1 is n.M„l loi-aiiy- """^^ ' ^^'" "x^' I'ii,.; 1m. ....,rri,.s ,„v l.tinlcns, „,v tnmsKivssio,,. . J.„v,., juv, and i.cucc--liav(. vuii ever tasted lliciir.^ ITlS llol'K. W K ■ rise ..II stcppiiiu- ^t,„,cs ,.f (Mir (lea.! ^civos tn hi^rluT tliinn<;' X., .„„. s.Mil is so ol,s,Miiv 11, at (Jo.I l.irds t.) sin.u-i]>^r, sh.ail.l J.avo also a iiH.s-.p. iV.-ni (i,,.l t,, sa.l In.arts. No s.ail is so griof- la sources of hoavonly comtort l.y r..c,,,oi,i/ii,^- tlio diviin^ lov.s in the per- pctual n..-iirr..iic<' of <.iiHldv Idcssiii^s: \' ' ••The iiiu-lit is motii..!- ..f tin- .lav 'I'll.' wiiifcr of th(> spring; All.! ..veil \ipou old favorablo conditions, if possible; and Jt js not wroiiLc to wish to transfer work from manual to intellectnal— u-hich is severer, although it is dittei-- "nt; Ihese gradations are allowable; bu^ woe be to a man who lonns (lie hal)it of shuflling through life without the love of imperious woi'k. Indolence is a habit that it doos not take lonu; to forui, but that it does tak.' a great whilo to break up, iiud tliai mow \\)vm Avithout being conscious that they an^ foi-iuiug if. It ouglit to be ])roclainied iu every srIio,,l, in ,.ver/ ehurch, in every association (.f ynung 111. .11, lh;it work, Avork, in>rk, W(.i;k, isiliedufy of every iu;in. '• My Father worketh liitherto. and I Work." Our Master was a carpenter, and he did a full day's woik, r do not doubt. So every nnm who lives in tins Avoi'M is bound to e;irn his living by good, sub- stantinl ungi'uni1)ling, honest work. The ITxFjiiJiTFUL Fig Tree. Tni: tree that b(>ars no fruit dies; for the fruit is the sei-d protector; and in Iho fruit is the promise of reproduction, and so the assurance of immortality. T]u> unfruitful tree lives only long enough to afford opporluiiily i'or it to answer tlie question, a generous Our ilasltr wiw a Carpenter. 58 The Beautiful Tire of Life. Wilt tliou brinjjj fortli fruit? Leaves cannot save it; lor loaves do not reproduce life. The unfruitful pro- fessor die3 of Lis own unfruitfulness. Men some- times ask, almost querulously, What have I done that I should bo condemned to death? The New Testament retorts, AVhat have you dono that you should he preserve(l unto life eternal? AVho is richer, wiser, better; hai)pier, for your existence? Wliy should any man live who lives to no useful ])ur})ose? ("ut him down; why cumbereth he the j;round'! Give his vacant place to a better man. This is always the final issue of an unfruitful life. The stu- dent Avho mer3ly acc^uires and never gives forth learn- inu" — his mind withers awav. The buver and seller who merely gets gain and never gives it forth — his soul withers awav. Douglas Jerrold's ManMada of Money is hardly an exaggeration. Everywhere about us wo can see men withering away from their roots, because in all their life they have borne no fruit to enrich others' lives— a terrible i)roi)hecy of fund eternal death. This is the two-fold lesson of this enacted parable: Practice, not profession, (leed-^, not Avords, lioi]ifi,no[ saying, /rw/^s, not leaves, are the true test of charac- ter; and the end of a fruitless, barren life is a wither- ing away from the roots and a final death of the soul. "1 CAUSED I iiO widow's licurt to sing f*)" joy xxix. 13. -Job The Beautiful Tree of Life. 69 To Burden-Bearers. Yoru load is harJ to carry; your lot Is lianl to boar. The biirdoii l)ouii(I ou your back is none of your niakint;^; tlic sin tbat scourjjjivs you is not your sin. You have earned confidence and arc repaid in susj)icion. You lookiMl for love and beliold enmity; yon looked for coronation ami heboid a crown of tiiorns. Thos(> wlujin yr»mised you harl)or and vou ar(( ]>]own out to sea and storm again — Iho darkest storm, the heaviest >vn, of your life voyage. No lot is harder than tbelof of ,-neb ii l»ur(b_'nd)earer. 00 The Beautiful Tree of Life. But none is moro glorious. God rewards the vie torious ])}' calls in new battles; the faithful hy fresli trials of lidelitv. Tu life, as ou tlie battle-field, the ])0st of diflieulty and danger is the ])Ost of honor, (lod Liivcs you a great task because lie has seen in \-ou gi'cat strengtli: he jmts on you a lu^avy l)urden because you have ah'cady att(>st(Ml your ability to bear bui'dcus. foi' others" sake, with the patience of unconiplainiiig liflelity. It will not be borne in vain. The lire that eonsunies y(tur life yields light and wanuth to othei- li\'es. lie that beai's with divine ]iatieiic(> a heavy burden shows everv witnessing soul how lightei' burdens may be Ixtnie. 'idie most sa- ei'ed of all ordinations is the oi'dination of soi'row; the most gloritus of all olHces is the otHc(M)f burden- bearer, (lod is laying on yon Avhat he laid on his welbbeloved Soli; he is honoring you as he honore(l his Well-helovcd Son. 'Idle bui'ilell whicli Christ bore for the whole world you are bearing for your little A\-oi'ld. TIk^ cross which Christ has laid down vou lia\e taken up. lie, too. knew Avhat it was to ha\-e the patience of loxc and the lidelitv of S(>i'vice repaiil with secret sus[»ieioii ami open hate, ^riie hurdend)earer ami the sind»earer stands in the fam- ilv of (Jod nearest tlu' world's Ibirdendiearer a.nd Sin-b(\ii'er. lUessecl is he who by hi- ]»hysieal ministrations can take from men their hiiuger and ]nd ln'coine a hurd<'u-heareraud a sin- hearer for (itlKMV ; even for those wlio sleep while ho l)rays, or who rcvil<' while he patiently and silently suffers. Now thire is nol. one single experience which he- falls us in life that is so low Ihat (}...l I'oes not see it and notice it, though it may he no niore than the scratcli of a, ])in; and if yoii a^e oidy ahlo to keep thi- blessed t'-nth wiMi you, and write it ovci- your ledger, over ' niii- house, over your sori'ows. over your coi'i-oding i;in s, over ;-ll your (>\periences hen; l)elow, how dille," d dots your honu; liecome! It is ]»ot unruggx'd, u i^ not all hright. it is not Avithout its unpleasanniesses; hut there is a great deal of joy in things that are not pleasant; and there are no joys in litis world like those moral joys which come from suriu()Unting the evils that heset us ami try us whih^ passing through (Uir earthly ])ilgrimage. — //. ir. Becelur. " SoiiRows remembered sweeten jireseid, joys." —PoUoh "We walk by faith, not by sight."— 2 Cok. v. T. '■^::::^ The Beautiful Tree of Life. 63 ,% Tiijo Mastkh Calls for Yon. Hark, tlio voice of Jostis cryino- " Who will go and work to-day? Fields uro white and harvest waiting'* Wlio will hear the sheaves away? " Loud and strong the Master calleth, Rich reward lie offers thee; Who will answer, gladly saying, ''Here am I; send mo, send me! " If you cannot cross the ocean, And the lieathen lands explore, You can find the heaf hen nearer You can help them af your door. If you cannot give your thousands, You <'an give u ran 1)(( like i'nithl'nl Aai'on, Holding U|) th(> ])r()phet"s hands. If among ihe older peojilo You may not hcs apt to teaeh. • I'eed my huuhs/' said Clirisl. oui' Shepluird "Place the l'oo(l within theii' I'each.'' Ami it may he that the children You have leil with treiiihling hand Will ho found among your jewels AVluMi you reach th(! hctter land. Let nono licar you idly saying, "Thoro is nothing 1 can do," While tho souls of men are dying, And tlu' Master calls for y(ni. Take the task In;^ gives you gladly; Let his work your pleasure he; Answer quickly when he calleth, " Hero am I ; send nu-, send me I " —Dauirl March, J\ J). To servo with lofty gifts the lowly needs Of tho poor race for which the God-man died, And (h) it all for love— oh, this is great. — /. Cr. JJolland. <;o 7'A' l:,,n,l!f,d Tnr „rLifr. TuK Tkst oi- Love. " U\: tli;i( li.idi my (M»iniii;in(liiHMits niul koopoOi -" "■ ^1" il i Mi,i!, ]<)\,i!i III,.; ;,n.l li(v iliat ]..vrtli ''I'' '^li'ill '"• l"V> '1 uf my F;i(liri-, Mil ! 1 will love him .■i'hL iiijiiiiri -I ' ' . jijiii.'' '^'"' ^'1 " " Mll'lllifllfs ;!!•(' illl SUmm('(| Up ill <»ii<': l''''ii .w inc. If Vdij will li\-,. ,1 lii',. ofs'Tviii^ ^''*'l***'"" •'■ ^'' <'"' iH'cdy. -Mcriliciiin; y. Mifscir I'm- ol li- 'i's* .'^.ikc. ('ii ]Mi disclos- ure of liis Son. (Jooi).\i:ss THAT roT'XTS. I r is ])ciuo- thorou.u:lilv l.'' >0(| and ]<'(tini; tho L'ood- ucss run over, lli.ifc jia- the most powerful ii.lluencc 'ip"ii 1" 'pi'', i.i 1 ;i man l.e Mioi'ounlily just, and lie never Heed take any ]>aiiis t > mak(Mt ai)pear thai ho is jii~t. Lei a. mau l»i^ lhoroui;hly loviiiii;, and ]i< i"'V'i' ie"d ay to himself, ''How sh,.,,' 1 seem (o be h»viu,-?'' J)o you su])p()so that iw a foundry, when a. piee(! of ir-n is drawn o of Ihc tV.rgo an I lield under tjio tri,.duinimer. il needs to say, " How shall i scintillate*?"'* It sends a million stars tiying in md koopotli Ih\-(' luiii sun incfl up (■(' nC s"i'viiu;- ■sell' lilt" <)( li- 10 s|)irit ol' ^pii'it nf i1i( • (' "tlicivs l>y i J II justice u will ]oi\v]\ the (lisclos- <1 LT t ho L''<»0( 1- IllU'llCC ll just, and he ipiu ar tl i;il inu', and Ji I h S( ■oin to 1) udry, whoii ail 1 lu'ld ' How shall s flying in fiS Thr nmutij'nl Trrr of Ijffi. w ovovy (liivclioii the tnoinciit 111.- Irip-hnnimcr strikes if- Only iii;ik.' it In.t ciiwn-li ;iii(i it will scintillate w itiiniit, ;iiiy lr..iil.I,.. And til.- lir^t rc(|tiisitc for set- liii;^'iiii exiiiiiplc i< fo li.ivc vciii.t iiiii;r to show, an. 1 pl'"'y "'■ i'- I' i- t'» ii.'ivr a hrnrt, full ..f l,,v.' for *i'"l illl-l loV.' \'nV llinii, ;il|,l lo ]|,,v,. l,,v<' ,UI(l jii^ticc twine to-(tli( r i\]),] |H'rnicato yoni- cli.'ir.'ictci-. 'j'],,. ">' <" '"' '"" <'N''iiipl,ir is to hnvo a dcsir.; to 1h.1|) all •'"■'"""l •■i'"'" >"'i. iih.l in >(riv(» t.) liclp til. in so J^''"">'' •^" '|"'i"'Iy- >"> uiiostcnlation-ly, tli;,r, you sli.'iU <('t an cxiiiiiiilc iin''on<<-ioiislv. ''''"' 'lii'<''ti"ii to ls that ;•'" ;'i""l'' '"' J'i-li ill -nK.s; that he shoiiM he ripe '" !•'''>■; "I'lf •"■ ^hniiM live n.;ir in (i,„l; jl,..,i },,> ^'""'''""' '""'-l' >" I'I'.iv.t; thai he sh.aiM h.' familiar '^'''' "'" ^^''"''l "'■ <:'"l: th;it he -honl.l h;iv.>tro,l the 1''"'' "^" <'l"'i> v,,,i "'•v-n...v..niIi(,unlMvJiat "'""^- <^''"'f'l' <-Ii.-.pk.r <,!• n,. I I"'"" I>''inriil. In WvAi Cllill- mi<(;il 111 ^'"''■'•'^b' Jissmv.l II, ,f, (;,„i !">'i'' <<) iiic jr, 11." Cil; iii.ikcs ]| -••mis ''!(• Inn ; "^- An.ru-.-ini if. si, 111! u,,,.!, '■.'"".- 'n-|.„I,.,fi,,„ u-I,i,.!, J, (I n,.i "Ml i; "■■i'"ii(; ;iii I 1 ''•'••tisiicss. Til ic }M';ic(' "'<•'( Wf Cilil I) ■''•"*''ly <j„,n,I 111! '■iH'v must ^• »(' r.V\ I I i;av Voll calll; :•! y, l'''Mc|,| ,1, (,.j|„|,. '""■'• ill lilllrii 1, ,,(„._ Ij- I' l"il, \ (»!1 'ic, hii ,.,|| "';'.''i ;! Ill, lllnl ' '" <'" \vli;||, |,.,,|,],j (!. 'l'hiv, iu all Iliin,u-.s anc 1 :il ;i 11 times, with prayiT au( 1 tliaiiksur I'cqllO ;t l»t' iiiade known to liiiii. Travi'i' IS a w<» ndfi'ful (MiiiirMrt IxH-aiisc yuu arc r-urc ut a 11 answer, sure df an answer oi soine sui I. X. iraver u'oes in to the lieart <»t' (lod and remains un- answoroe I Whither are you Going? T HAVi; been Avritin.L? of the sh'ep of tiie lilosed d.^ad. 'riiero isanothorside to the I'ietuiv. I would I need not touch ui)on it ; hul 1 must if I wnuld he line. Your soi't rohcs, you may he disj.ossesscil df ilimi. Your hous.'s, you may he u toll a lie for three cents?" asked 10 of her bovs. a 0, ma'am, (( For ten C(;iits?' aiisH'orod Dick, very I)roraj)tIy t< v N o, ma'am. t( 'For a dollar?" ^""0, ma'am." For a In I nd red dollars? >> N ^, ma am. P <>!• a thousand dollars? Hero Diol- looked lij< tilings ho could b iv was sta> im cried out •'■ a thousand <( No Why not ? " asked th W. mnrl' ♦!, : . 1 e teacher. iiii.i IH) y s answer, and do not forget it. Tlie Bmxtiful Tree of Life. 73 " Because, ma'am," said he, " the lie sticks. When tlie tlioiisaud dollars are all gone, and the good things houuhr with them are all gone too, the lie is there all tliu fcamo." illli-ii Sometime, Somewhere. Unanswered yet, the prayer your lips have pleaded 111 agony of heart these many years? Does faith begin to fail ? is hope departing ? And think you all in vain those falling tears ? Stiy not the Father hath not hoard your prayers — You shall have your desire Sometime, somewhere. Unanswered yet? though when you first presented This one petition at a Father's throne, It seemed you could not wait the time of asking. So urgent was your heart to make it known. Though years have passed since then, do not despair; The Lord will answer you Sometime, somewhere. Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted, Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done; The work begun when first your prayer was uttered, And God will finish what ho has begun; ! t' you will keep the incense burning there, His glory you shall see Sometime, somewhere. 74 The Beautiful Tree of Life Unaiiswcv.I yet ? Faith cannot bo unanswered 11m- i<.<.t arc lirnily planted on the liock- A.m.l the wildest storms she stands undaunted Nnr .,ua,|. iH.fore the loudest thunder shock-' ^1"' ] rhiM 1 ovci'; and woiiM i: louie ^vcnt julu (he si(( '^•' a will louie. y over (ell lo aHer- "i,i^-i'">n. (m tiiKl her uio(h..r: tl "/'V '"'"<'"' J-aHorto tiud her n.otl ion lud si oth A\"ciit jVom on cr an o eii •' ''"•! "<■ (he hous.> ( \;\ i''i'(' is ?nv )nami dd net tind her. A( I lor (here th o tJl( 1st sh o saif "••''■ An.; when thev (oM I, '>^i- mamma was gone the little tldng wanted to'. o Whrrr i< nni ^Iniiiiiin. ro The Beautiful Tree of Life. back to the neighbor's liousc again. Home had lost its attractions to her since lier mother was not there any longer. No; it is not the jasper walls and the pearly gates that are going to make Heaven attract- ive. It is the being with God. We shall be in the presence of the RedeCiner: we shall be forever with the Lord.— 2>. L. Moody. Love. "So." — John iii. i6. ' Mr. Marsh said: "An old man in Warwickshire said to me, * Can you tell me, Mr. Marsh, what is the shortest word in the Bible with the most meaning hi it?' 'Yes; it is ''so'' in John iii. 10.' 'That's it,' he said; ' when I read tliat verse I feel like the negro who was reading the Bible on the road-side, when hi^ ungodly master asked him, " What are you doing, Sam?" "Reading the Bible, massa." "What do you do that for? " " 'Cause it tells me God loves me." ."Why does God love you?" "That's what puzzles me, massa, but I know he c/ocs." ' That is what puzzles us all. His love wo know and feel and prize; but lohij we should be thus loved, God alone is able to tell." Charity. Meek and lowly, pure and holy, Ghief amomr tlie " blessed three." The Beautiful Tree of Li^ 77 Telling Jesus. . 1 .,,1,1 Tr»u<"— M^TT. XIV. IJ. lUuUvent amltold Jesus. ,i;„,1.>" criod „ w„ „ ^voul,l I do if I wore to bo Wuul I pandmo.hcr, -^^'i^^ '^^J^Xi^.^Uov," said Jo-ic, u x'H toll you wiuit to (10, grauuiu ,„„„,i„„ „i> from her ploytl.ings. • ..What?" asked graud,«a. ^^^^^ ^ .. Co and toll .Tosus," said Jcssio, would do. ^ .rr^o " qjiid crand- .. rerhai-s he would not euro me, sa,a ff ""Xn he .vould help you say, 'TM-viU he done/ „,„l'Ln you .ould not mind it, grandma, s,ud tl little girl. , ,,« Jfauc 1/ou told Jesus your trouhlcf Wonderful Words. ..Wnoso.vK.shandothe.iUofu.,yFa^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Heaven, he is my ^"^^;;^ ' ^,^ of the IKnv does a ma.- ':''■' \''^'l"]' ,i,,.,ishes his -'■™ "'^r thini- :: "tt t^XieL .vith .hieh a manly nature loves a si..er. _ ^^^^^ ^ vea, compass them all around . ^^^^ ^^^^ ,,,,,,,., as iV. h^mc^^^ -^^^^ grow as lie grows older— and now . 78 77/r Bcdiilijiil Tr(c of Life, t<;ij"(] — it ,ii;iv iiicliulc you ;iiiil mc wil li all OUT iniwor- iliim-^;^ — " W'liD^oi'Vcr shall <1'> the will of (iml is a^* dear to iiio as lii'nt her. and sister, ami i not her.'' 'J'lic Swly lioaid thai h^ius ou Thee Is happy anywhere."' Oni Daily Biikad. Ill'; was vei-y a.u'ed — th(^ sexton (d' a eliiirch, sit- tiiu;' on its I'l'ont donrstep one day. to rc.-t hiiustdi'. ( )ne ]Mssed hv and saiil, '■ I'nide I'ayne, where were V(ai rai-ed'/'' ''(lliir de mountain, sah." " Wdial is \i)\\v ai:e?"' '• I'se lULih on eighty, so de Avhite I'olk-^ sav." " Well, yoii are li-ettiiijLj: (piite au'ed, Uncde l'a\ne."' " ^'es. sail. Tse ^ettiiii;" old, and has s])eiit the UKxt id' niv life in ^in and tolly, serhiuLi; de dtddl.'' •''I'liat J- had, rn(d(^ Payne; hut lunv Ioiil;; siuco you bi'canio a Christian?" " Si'uec jes' before do ^va', bull." " AVell, it has been ii good wliilo since, then, :*--^ jo.s' now learned how h, chew crusts." " IIow is tliat, Undo Payne ? I don't quite under- stand wliat you iiuan." " Well, sah, you see, I camo to Jesus and gib my heart to hitn; and for i Ion', timo I thought the Lord mus' bo feodiii' nio wid pie and cako and all good things. I was not pleased vl' ho didn't. But n(.w I'se satisfied anyway. T can take a crust from his hand as well as anything. T'se got do witness in me." One of our troubles is that wo think that nothing hut that which seems to us best is to j.o ministered to us by our Lord's hand. If trial come, if sorrow, if the placo of our duty grow dusty, if tho flowers wither and tho streams get dry, wo grow discontented, and turn our faces towards somo easier placo which does not Avear a look so arid, though it bo not tho placo of duty. That was tho trouble with these old patriarchs in tho elder Scrij)ture. That has been tho tr-ublo with men and women ev, r -ince. Wo are unwilling to take from tho Lord's hniuUi tho crusts of trial. Very beautiful M'ero tho last words of Charles Kingsley. When told ho must die, his rapturous answer was, "It is not darkness I am going to, for God is light. It is not lonely, for Christ is with mc. It is not an unknown country, for Christ is there." yf iff-'-Juf ,'r call Fse Tl , r.rnvUjul ineof J''J'- 81 Am, uluii .IK fc'^ ^^^^,^ ^|„. ^vnv.U ■ Ura; '-It. ^ '" T\ ., r I. -iv.. away --»■ '^'^'^'"~\ Chisel V... so thai th-5 ^vb..lo i^ „,. can carry tlumsu ^^^ ,i,,^ uis"l- m.tavily,toao.t,auant^ ^.^^ ^^ ,,,,,, I1-- ^ ^'^''""^u aiVctcainylustorvlrnn. r,.nsinin vn uuua that'll ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^.^, ^,,,, linns 111 '" J. iin. fVi'ins u..>. ••■■ W"''"» "■ "."', .a V,.™,, fn,,,..., tw.-.. ^vl,..l through inv n.n,a •'';,,,,,,,, ,vl,i.U bav. <,,..n.a „„.,,,,,.. ,„.riod ;t'. ,, ^,,,„, •„!.,, tlu. l.vg,.. ,,i,,,Vu.n to suggest to... fovnUy ..!...■ .."'ll;':;'^ ,,., .o ottcu l^t into uuv bless r»y a.iWiw . 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART iANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2 i.O I.I 1.25 1^ 1150 2,8 13.2 !r iiiM H^ 1140 1.4 1 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 A APPLIED irVMGE Inc Mam Sire*-'' er. New York -J^. 82 The. Beautiful Tree of Life. pr,yoT the other petition, "Make me and make my <-li.lrtren a Messing"? We come together in our prayer an.l conference meetings and prav for tho church and „.• hope that God will hless the' missions "nd all I,at wor^lnp here; but is the hurde,, on our iciirls, .Make us a blessing to others "? Are vou so hungry for I,„i„g blessed (hat you have no appetite lor .mviiio- ;i blessiiii.-^ ^\ hero u man ]ias tho endowments, the mfts for l^lossin,^ others and does not use them, there is a very sok^nn accountabiKty resting npon liim. If a cily Au.re starving, and a man had ],read and would not take UuMrouhle to give it out, and he let men perish all around him, would ho be excusable'^ V sickness were earrying death into hundreds of fam- ily's and the physician in their midst had a knowl- -Ige of what^the remedy was and would not impart -;k JSlL The Beautiful Tree of Life- 87 ^ C.UV the water ,,ele, hanging from «- -- -^J^,;,, .„U Patty ,„.ip ^vith gvoat joy. n>» ' ^^.^ „„a go down 1^ might put on hcv 1>°<" ;^ ;^i„,, ,, FrecWio .l.d ^„ M.S. Brown's tor -m ,!> ^ ^ ^^,.„„„ „;,, ofen „ot seem quite we 1. l''"> ,^ fun to h.T, -d the run °f ;;;iyX, ,,:, she had leave .,nd so was tlio plaj oi j^, 'stay; then she put on he th n _^ . ^ ^,^^ r.\te is your «P---^J,;^:-l'oughuuts in your Brown; " ^-^'''^^^l at^^m, and Bessie and Fred pocVet. I've ^ff^ "t^oo-i neighbor knew how ,viU lil^e them; f" * . J ,,iaow'8. „ry poor they were at th ^ ^^^^^ ^„„, „ .. Better hurry up. TattJ . ^^^^ ^^^^. „„a f said Mr. Brown, "0^* "^ '^^ ,^ i^^^c be.n wrll, patty had only heeded, ^ -u ^^^^ ,,„t the barn was ^^^^^^^^ tire "cutest " htUe of stopped a long ^^'^''^J^Z^^^, «hen she was really ^,,\!:„g with its mothc.so^t^ -0- -^! tCs off the air was lull ^^ ^ y. iiuudrGd liou^, led over «« ^^ ^o ';:gbly frigl.cned, si. .„,or Patty thought. But, tho . ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^.^ ^^, ,„ly thought of home, and ra, ^^^^ ^^ J., ,uite W-^^u^^■, and she put her head on her woollv Inend and cried enough tears to have quite melted a small snow-bank and sent her to sleep. AVIkmi slie awoke she was stiff and hungrv, thuugli not c(.ld; but she did not cry. Instead, she tiioug^it of averse her mother often said: "They tliat seek tlie Lord shall not want any good thing." " \\'c sy\\\ trust him, Mcn't we, sheepie? " she said^, «nd turning her hand hit lier j^oeket and the doughnuts. '']fo does care for us, sheepie, he does! " she exclaimed, as she bit the ])recious gift. Ihit, oh, ]i,,\v many times poor Patty had to say <'\ er her verse in the long hours after. She slept, said all her chapters, ate another doughnut; finally she did not seem to think straight, and her verses ran togetlier strangely, and it would soon have been too late, had not the men out digging for sheep found these two by the little hole their breaths had melted, and taken her home forty hours after she left it; and her mother liad thought iier safe at Mr. Brown's all through those terrible liours. 1 1 1 i i Madmna and ChUd. ^^ 00 T/i( llanilifiil 'Irir of fjfr. "But, motlior," ^ai.l Patty, "I never cried a tear after I thought of yoiii' 1 rust vertso. 1 know tho Lord meant poor shcepio and iiu*, and I knew ho put the d()U,ii;lnuits in my jjockct a-purposo. JTc always gives us just wluit wo need, don't lie? I had just ' enough,' and T want to tliank liim always." And Patty's trust was tho right kind. — IToux Bcn- 11 hirj. Faith. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."— Ps. xxiii. i. TiiosK who are so anxious about tho future as to bo unlnippy in tho present, may learn a lesson from a poor colored woman. Her name was Nancy, and sho earned a moderate living l>y washing. She was, however, always happy. One day one of those anxious Christians who wero constantly "taking thought " about the morrow, said to her: " Ah, Nancy, it's well enough to be ha])py now; but I should think your thoughts of tlio future would sober you. Sup- pose, for instance, tliat you should bo taken sick and unable to woi'k; or sui)poso your present employers should move away, and no one else should give you anything to do; or suppose " — '' Stop! " cried Nancy. " I neber supi)oses. Po Lord is my Shepherd, and I knows I shall not want. And, honey," she added to her gloomy friend, " it is all dem 'supposes' as is makin' you so mis'able. You orter dve dem all up, an' jes' trus' in de Lord," Tht B ,„.,;ial Tree oj I !!'■ 91 ,,,T n,o be tl'»"^'"\.^"\ ,v.ntolH•vuut.ilt„r.- and joy eve, to l"-;'' -J^ ,', .KU theo for -v ,,,io„? tl,is "',y 7"» ;.;;,U forever, «.,.! Hu'- H-- days, that I '"'S=''V"'' llum'S"^"" •'''''"" ■""; to describe the sacitii J occasion.-O- ^"^""3- A LKssoN OP Trust. ,,\„c ro.sess,on a - | ^^_^ _.^ ,„„,.„„ ,.,u „ro very beuut.ful, .,,„ ,,„ fi,... O .. but ,,o«-, m f «"•• *'' .,f ,„„i,aiio,.. Of eo» .e course the <'l'iW ^^-'^ * '", > t«u'^, ^-"^ ^>"^"" ""*^ ,,,, eves Nvevo '^^^^J^'^,,., ,.,u,M her f.tl-' ^ ,vitl, perplexed P^'^^^f ' |^ f \. x,-,,,, I shall ,."t eon,- f.,cc It NV'3 a S"'"' ;' ', • „ „,„„ .. I leave it to yo«, ^1 -ou to a. it." -i" «-;/; ;';oaskyo„to doany. '-*H:r;i^::tw;trro^. ^-^'^'^•^■''" tiling that was uut u m ■ f :^-^H i i '■'m A -M -m '^^^1 92 The Beautiful Tree of Life, why I want you to do tliis, but if you cuu trust me throw tlio hoads into the fire." So tho child .stood there, torn witli troulde. Xoliiing seemed f-o lu'au- liful iis tliose heads. Xolliln^ seemcid so unreason- ahh) as lu-r r.-illu-r's coiiimand. But then underneath this surface* stru;,r,«,d(' (licre was ahi(h'n<^in tlio 'hild'.s heart a deep and quiet trust in the love and wisdom of her fallier. So, with a mi^dily ed'ort, slio l\mi>^ ihe box of painted beads into llie llame. Tliat day Ihe fatlier iuid nothing more to say. lUit tlie next day lie i)ut into lier hands a gift far i.ioro beautiful than her beads: a jiift of somethin-- she had long wanted, but had feared she could never have. And this was what he said to her: " Mv child I did this to teach you to trust in tho Father in Heaven. Many a time in your life ho will recpiirc! you to give up and avoid what you cannot tell tho reasons for yielding or avoiding; but if you trust the Heavenly Father as you have trusted me, you will always find it best." FicjiT hard against a hasty temper. Anger will come, but resist it strongly. A spark may set a house on fire. A fit of passion may give you cause to mourn all the days of your life. Never revenge an injury. "He that revengeth knoweth no rest; The meek possess a peaceful breast! " 77,. linnUifnl r,re of Life. 93 l,or this, t;ratilu,lc> for thc.o t, ^^^^^ ,p„rtumly. ;,,,,„ .iv.t,. him ^vUenovor-l ^^ ^^ ,^,,. ,,, " Kow you mus keep th.>t ^^^^ ^^_,^.^^ ,^ ,r.... "Oh, no," said tholoj. _ M.,vbo I »haU keep my hull. .. wliv, it's «" IrlurhaU-?" said tho gent H-m..", y- vours >'';;i...s.e.edthoci,Ua;i.h;-.^^^»^^^ luilves wtli t.«a. 11,111 ^ ,ive to liim." , „nt need it." s^'"' •' .,God owns the uorld, ho do ^.^^^^^ ^^_^,^ „,„ tUo gentleman , tl o R ^^ ,^.^^^ ,, cattle on a «"°»^""'\'' "l^.^u.d fov n moment. Me Tl,c little hoy l^'-^^f-rp^.^entlyheBaid: "A"y- ^-' --T "'Tl'lt «HhTand^^--t you *'.>">' how, God goes 1" \^ ^; ,^i, rt? " , , , ^vo ought to givo !>.'"; .'^'tling. Thi. WUo l>oy fell That was the "S''* ', " ^ thin.'s he had given --'"^rit"i"et-"turi"^^^^ ^airto:V:t.o»'tS/todiofo.u.and But then Jesus gave hmHJ ^^ ^„ i,^^ eratitudo for this should made It easy the lesson of giving- !• ■■; A. 94 The. Beautiful Tree of Lije. Order and Virtue in the Home. What was said concerning Abraham may bo said of every triio Cliristian father: "For I know him, (hat he will command his children and his house- hold after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring \\\Hm Al)raham that which ho hath spoken of him." Happy is that nation whose children are brought up in families like this. There purity, virtue, and true manhood in every principle of justice and mercy will be permanently secured. AVhat an im- portant place, therefore, docs the family occupy in tho social, moral, and political worlds! Take this away and tho bond of sacred union is forever dis- solved, and tho most distressing and deplorable re- sults must follow. Break asunder ihesc centres of holy afToctions, of truth, honor and purity, and you will fill the land with every enormity, and desola- tion, tho most far-reaching and dreadful, will fdl its entire breadtli. It is highly important and neces- sary not only to continue the validity of the mar- riage rite, upon which the true idea of the family is based, but great care should be exercised to make these homes all that they can and should be made — tho most delightful and enticing places on earth, where everything that is good is encouraged, and everything evil pointed out and discountenanced; for as children leave the parental humu they are, to lid I lie lay arc llKl m his lis- } rc- }S of ;ou its ar- ■ is I.iaiiii!''.i " 96 The Beautiful Tree of Life. a large extent, moulded for life. Order and correct morals should hero receive the proper stamp upon the opening mind. Yes, everything wo wish our children to be, in time and eternity, should here bo taught and enforced. Then " all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of tliy children." W God's Love. Like a cradle rocking, rocking, Silent, peaceful, to and fro; Like a mother's sweet looks dropping On the little face below, Hangs the green earth, swinging, turning, Jarless, noiseless, safe and slow; Falls the light of God's face bending Down and watching us below. And, as feeble babes that suffer. Toss and cry, and will not rest, Are the ones the tender mother Holds the closest, loves the best: So when we are w^eak and wretched. By our sins weighed down, distressed, Then it is that God's great patience Holds us closest, loves us best. — Saxe Holm. "Charity shall cover tlio multitude of sins."- 1 Peter iv. 8. f^ The Beautiful Tree of Life. 97 »rrect upon 1 our ve bo shall peace Im. IS. FOECIVINO Othkes. , . . „.rdob«.,we.o.„v.ourd=bto.s...--M-T.v>... ,„U1 Of . certain nobleman Of Alexan- A STOEV IS 'fl f/i^; ,1 to the bishop about h,s dvia, who complained b.tte> ^,_^ ^^.,i cncnucs. AVbilo .n tho -^ *^«^^ , „,,1 the noble ,„ui ,l,.opped on «"'- ^^ ^ ^,,^ t.„i,„p ,,.,no to the Iho Lov.rs Prayer. A\ hcu , j^„ .topped petition. " '-^.g'^-",r :" .X ^0 o. ..lone. The uddenly. le.ni..g the °'",.\V startled by the „oUcm..n attempted to continue bu ^^^^^^^^ ^^, sound of his »->"7P:'";^ ,:";ig;incan..o of the ,,3 companion's silence to to .^ ^^^^^^ ^,^^^^ „,,aon, ho stammeK-d c - ^^. P ^^ ^^^^,^ ..,„,„;,„ nomhisknees. Us-me .^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^.^^^^,^^^^^,^. „s our trespasses but it .» ^^ ^^^.^ p^,,^^„„^ it „„derstand.ngly. 1'^^" ],„ p,„ver, until ^ve ,,,,eu .0 aro '■'•P«""S *:,^X ^ of it. how many of have fully entered into the spirit us will aiways go on? A MONCMENT OF Kindly Dkeds. 0.K Lord irca. 0^0. doing goocW;^<^>^--^^^ for chaneo for doing good to ""« "^ '[^ Certainly „,o chance to do if, went «>'«"' ",' f^^ „„ „f „s. -liere is suggestion o^^^X^^^.n there lived Some time since m a New l.n^ia ^^ ¥fi'1 "■■■ OS The Beautiful Tree of Life. and (lio.l an old lady. Hho had worked hard all her life. She had acctiiniilatcd a little competency. She had earned it honestly. But that was all she had done. Of smiles and kindliness and charities her life was as destitute as is a granite houlder of summer vci'durc. The kindly })eo|)le who were her neigh- hors said she had the i'(>j)Utation of hcing "a little way.'' •lust about this time a, young girl died in the same town, whose path had always been a rugged one. Though she had worked hard all her life, she had left no h()us(% or garden, or balance in the bank. Hut she did leave another sort of monument — a monument of kindly deeds, of pleasant words, of (dieerful smiles, that have brightened, and will con- tinue to make bright, the lives of all her friends. •'Why," said a fcdlow-worker, " I never could have learned to run my machine if she had not been so kind about showing me." Said a little girl: "She often used to give mo a flower when she met me mornings, and if she had no flower she smiled so pleasantly it was just us good." Another young girl *^. :^ •■•■i^i^ t- § i:^>^. * ^of A-/m//""?^ i' 1,1 100 The Beautiful Tree of Life. exclaimed, " Tt was u note slio wrote me tliat made me want to ]n- ;i Christian." And a sliy \)n\ said, with lender ineinories vil)ratiii}^ in liis voice,*'! came to j)i'aye]'-iiieeting first ix'cause ^lic askecl nu' to. and slie always vised to s}M'ak to me and say she was o'lad to see mo lliere." Tlie o-irls in tlie Sahbath- scliool class ])anded tluMnselves to,lv.v.ds.,a.,,,,,- 'rJl 'ay on his jounu .V s,,..,.. ... , n....n a.. ^^^ S;*ened.huUto.yta..a,iUio.,a. ..^ an explosion when the tiam i' '-^ • guarded word was spoVen. -'-"l- ■'•"■'>' ' was slapped and sent away from the tal.h tin. h. . ;::d_strated; sharp wordsfoUow,.d;t,,,,-,..e,o tears, recriminations, a downriuht quarv.L ■Oh the trouhlo of living!" groaned Mr- 1 - ■! ' , 1. 1 1 .n.l chihlrou w.To out (»t llio ing, when her husband and ( miarou »' , , in .,i,uu> '' [ cannot beai ir, i. house and she was left alom . i ^ cannot boar it, t.'i.j ..n. e- cal sobbing. Ill i: ^••f.f. ^■;:.,-4. I 101 The rxaafifiil Tree nf Life. ]\y iiiid l>y, wlu'ii Hjo slonii wa.s a litilo cleared uway, eaiiio Aiiuie, lier face scrcno, }ier eyes soft and iiiitroul)lef Lifr. lor. .oT' Mi-.^. Fieldin.t,^ went to her own room, dumb bcforo Iho wisdom ( f an i-iiorant child, rrescnlly Annie's voieo caiuo floating out «.ii tlio stilliu}? air. She was sinj^in.g: "His lovin;.' kindness, oh, how ,rj:c.y\:'—Mrs. M.F.Jintls. "Havk Faith and Strugglk on >» ■\Vk cannot sen {ho siunilicanco of many thin that happen in this life. It was a dark day t'ni- you ^\ diou lio took that little himh out of your arms whcrc^ irtii, it was warm, and put her away in the c(.ld ca You could not nnderstand it at all; she was so gentl( and full of smiles and tenderness ; she was nuto y • lU dl in all. You know how you trembled and (juaked when she grew thin; yon thought you would never ihine again. AVhen you ^.ut her in the >, away in the darkness, you di^ AVc go along heavy paths; we hard loads and stagger un\\\' ("ii'-lyiua lio.xl will ever know us, what chun^cs will f'omoovor {Jnin, a'nd how W(! shall soo lhcm,but wo shall know even as \.o are known. A Wi:r-L FoT^NDED IIorK. J^Iv hope is Ihiit T shall shortly 1-avo this valley of tears, and ho IVc*^ IVom nil fovors anyes shall seo my M;;.>ter and Saviour, Jesus; and with him seo my dear mother and nil my ndations aiel friends. But I must die or not come to that happy place.— Gcorr/c Herbert. TiiR (!(H)i) Samakitan. "A certain Sainaritiiii." — IvCKKX. 33. Or.ERLTN, tho well known philanihropist of Stcin- thal, while yet a candidato for the ministry, was travel- ing; on Olio occasion from Strashurg. It was in tho winter-lime. Tho onjund was deeply covered with snow, and tho roads were almost impns'^Lih!". lie luid reached tho middle of his joaine/ and was The Brautiful Tree of Life 107 arnon-tho mountains, and by iu^, vimo was so ,>x- iKUiHtcd that ho . nild «taiia up no lon-or. lie was rui-iaiy free/in^' to .l.ath Sl.ep bc,:va .. ovcreomohim; all power to ^^f'}\]''''''\'' ...Hnmcnaocl himself to (M, an.I v-LI.-l to ^^hai ho felt to bo tho sleep of acath. ^, ^ ^ Ho know not how long ho slept, but sudden.y bo- camo conscious of some ono rousin-him andwakm^^ hl,n up. Before him stood a wa^on-druer lu Ins Una blouse, and tho wa^ou not far away. Ho ^avo him a little wine and food, and tho spirit ot l.lo re- turned. Ho then helped him on the WM.^on ami hrought him to tho next village. The v..s,.n.d man ^vas r>rofuso in his thanks, and oflercd money, which his benefactor refused. ^^ -It is onlv a duty to help one an(»ni v, ;^i^- t.Tof tho gospel.^ Please tell me tho na ao ot the Good Samaritan." , . • f - That," said Oberlin, " I cannot do, for i was not ])iit on record." ,, -Then," replied the wagoner, "until yo^, -an tell me his name, permit mo to withhold mine.' Ill \i 108 The Beautiful Tree of Life, Who is My Neighbor? Thy " neighbor " ? It is ho whom thou ITiist power to aid or bless, Wh(>se aching heart or burning brow Thy soothing luind may press. Thy " neighbor "? 'Tis the fainting poor, Whoso oyo with want is dim, Wliom lumgcr sends from door to door, — Go thou and succor liim. Tliy " neighbor "? 'Tis that weary man WliosG years are at their brim, Bent h)W with sickness, care, and pain, — Go thou and comfort him. Tliy " neighbor "? 'Tis the heart bereft Of every eartlily gem, Widow and orphan helpless left, — Go thou and shelter them. Thy " neighbor "? Yonder toiling slave, Fettered in thought and limb, Whoso hopes aro all beyond the grave, — Go thou and ransom him. Where'er thou meet'st a human form Less favored thnn thy own, Remember, 'tis thy neighbor worm., Thy brother or thy son. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 109 nt Oh! pass not, pass not heedless hyl Perhaps thou eanst redeem The breakinjj: heart from misery,— Go share thy hit with him. . Bk ye Steadfast, Always Abounding in the AVoKK OF the Lord." Is the ouuntvy M-horc the Biblo ,vas .vritten tho .rowing of grapes is an [mpovUmi b„s„.,.s.-graiu» wZ an arUclo of comm-Tce. Tl.-y nro u^ecl f- : 'and fovn..l.ing wine. Tl^- -,. n, vam... „„ high arbors as thoy arc m "-"■ '■"."^; '"';";' iLd on posts or polos not nuul- ugl>- th ,„,n'3 head They were kept w,.ll .'Ut hack, »o tlu, Irs of grapes often began withi. one or Uo ee „r tlxe ground. Foxes have nUvays been fond o . 'e, and the little foxes wonld elin.b u,. Ihe vnu. ^r poil them and destroy the fruit. So ,od sa>. ;r IH Song of Solomon, 2.1 chapt>- '"- l'^'^ ^^ ;•■■ ::\":;;^,s the foxes, the little foxes that^,.odJ u^ vines for our vines hear tender grapes. ^o« n^ thl to do with us? A good deal when w.. -on.o ;:; derstand it. ^Ve are, all of us, vnu. plan ed ,u r,o.Vs vineyard, and the objeet ,s that we si 111 „ f„,,h fruit to his honor and glory, and .Ne .vgreat „.anv are bringing forth no fru, . Why .1^ 1 - ...use there is some one and maybe more little foxes ;: tha vino and destroying the fruit. I know a great 110 Tlic Beautiful Tree of Life. many little foxes. To-day I want to talk about a little fox call(Ml " Fickleness." We lind him at work in the church, in the family, in the school, everywhere, unsettlii\g young people (and older ones sometimes too), and making them forget two important things that wo ought never to forget. One is that God has so made us that we nnist he busy to ])0 happy. AVhen he put Adam in flie garden he Wii^ to till it, and when ho gave us the fourth cdiniiiiiiidineiit he made it as nuichapart of the law that we should work for six days as that we should rest on the seventh; and the other important thing to remember is that ])erseverancc is necessary for success in everything that is worth knowing or worth having. The world is full of " nobodies," and the reason is til at little fox Fickleness has hold of them; he has spoiled the vine so that it bears no fruit; he is the mortal enemy of Perseverance. Some time ago T was called upon l)y a widow, who asked me to help her lind a situation for her son. I had known him years before when he was a boy in the Sunday-school. I tried to get some idea of the kind of place to look for, and asked her what he knew or what he could do. She had but one answer, that he was very willing and would do anything. The story of the boy's life was simply this: lie left school when he was liardly thirteen years old, because he was tired of it. Alter many months of idleness, lie 77,' /..■'"• / '•■'■' -i" ^i^^' 112 The Beaut if id Tree of Life. tried farming; Iio .uot tired of tliat; ho then under- took a trade; in l.v-s th;m a year Jiu got tired of that; tlicii, aficr a long s^pcll of idleness, liis poor mother found a ])lacu for liini in a store; but ho h;ir lose sight of the object in life at which we aim. i'A-eiy wise sailor when he starts on a vovaue lays Ins course and steers by it; but how many there are who begin by choosing an object in life, u eallin<' ol some kind, and just as they set out and begin to feel the discouragements in tlio Avay, the necessity for pei- wind \V;i^ littlo man window, sii' but I (Udn'l 1 lira n to. I'm vcrv >ovry for it. 1 (lid it with my ball, and t ball ir^ in the scdiool-room n ow Tool' ( bild," said tbr toachor, wb It sa> w bis cyoH tilled Avitb tears an face '< So vou ran a la look of -irat distrt-s on In 11 tl ic wav to t<'ll m 0. ' liil von" You'vo lH'in ri .lit.("barlio,mv bov. Wliatovrrmu •luof vou < lo, nov.r be al'rai l',,r asbaiiH-d to tell .>t it Then, ^vi •boo ,U a li'Jil l'<'iii't> <"'l»=ii'l>*' ran ba(d< to tb< ,b Xono of the l>oy 1,1 tb<> teaeber about it lo ii;ctber ai kuew tbat Cbarli.- bad TboY luid colle<-ted to- d werf ta Ikiiiij; about tbe broken wm )W ant IllK 1 wbat the teaeb.er won Irr sni'b circumstances. Id sav, a; bov- like to «lo Al'ter aw hilca little fellow nai ued .bjlinny Thomp Mill foun.l llio ball wit 1^ c V. the initials of Cbar li,. Foster's mmu — ma rked on i t. He (i;ue -(•( (1 at (ilK'C W -cir in ■bo b:id done tlic liih tbc babil of CO •bief. He was n lot bini- wrouLi;, a nd, jndgin: lirii be bad d iKirliebv hiiiisell'.li.^sui.l.. iit'essinLT ^\ ( 111'' )<('( l,,,l ibc t.'acber know nothin tbin about wbo was t o blame for ibe acci. -hoW tluit be wi lent be b. 1<1 ui. bis band U shcdto>i.eak. "Well, Johnny, w hat bave you to say us ,ked Mr. Trumbull 118 Thr /iiiiii/li'iif Til (■ of Lifr. " Ploaso, sir, T'vo found out who broke that 'irr window," snid Johnnv, in u way whicli .sliowod liow oasv it was for liim to lircak llic rules of ^raniniar if ho didn't break the window. "So have T," said ^^r. Trund)ull, "and urerij hort- orahlc person l)r(ike it." " A very liouoralik; person!" That made Cliarho I'eel very eonifortaltU'. And then the teacher told all the boys bow Charlie had eonio hiniself to b'U all about it. lie spoke in hij^^h terms of him as a boy to be trusted and of the lionor ho had ^^ained in this way. Then ho showed how dilferent it woul 1 have been if ho had denied it and told a lie to hide it. lie would have been found out sooner or later, av.d then he would have been covered with shame and disgrace. " Deliver my soul, Lord, from lying lips." ITOLTNESS. SINFUL human l)eings, still you know that holi- ness is the crown of existence. There is not a human heart that does not somehow, sometimes, lov(^ goodness. Find me the most wicked man in all your gr(>at city and there are times when that man admires goodness. Ye:., I imagine there are times when he lio})es that somehow or other he may yet be good himself. When a man we love has C(!P.rs(>, in ov.v inscriptions on tombstones and the like — to exag- fc The Bcautljid Tmof l.'.i l'> f , ; c^l- , .nanV i.l.nts, ,.r 1-nin.'. -■ ,u..s«c»s,„us, 1,1- lllllui'lH'', li"t "' •'" , ■, , .„^. „,■ Us is the pvat, Ihin, r.r a InUH.n 1...I... « . J A^a wl,a. is iMhaUh,. Sn-i,,tun.. U.a.b u. ^ , ;ofUH-Kroat.lK.nu.s.,iM,.ld.l,w„,--lu,..,i .... ,,„.,.„ wo,.sl,ip is p.. vlV.f^ l,onKa,.,a,.n .« Li„« robes .,.■ i.'s,y,an., i;"V,- ;; ;' .,.,-apl,s aia l..'ial an.lu-orship.an.l..a, ul.atua n , ,Avastuoti.n>,...ni>..i,-wo,.sh,p' ^;; ';; .; ,„,e,-? Wasit(lo.l's«isa,.,u-' "" '-"r \"" , . X^l,.«u-tl,isruU..nas,l,.,-v.- Ana naav.l,., ...,...■ Ti 'oh- i.an.is, r...- w,. a,.,, -iurui, ii,..u,u w.; aw. ;r' n..l mowlH-u w. .aut to adoro the holnu.. ot Qotl. — Dr. Broadus. 1 1 1- nil to the stars; iftho earth s dnvk. k^'v\) >oui c\ch ji 1 r'r»rl'« i.rom «o, a man or cnu'i (;o(Vs pri'sciu'o and CtOcI b piomi.i, may bo cheerful. « Never .lespair ^vhe^ fop;'< m the air- Asunsl,iny,a..nun-w.ll.-..i">"""'"^'''^ = > 4M^^ 120 The Bmnti/nl Tree of Li/e. L(n'ic is tli(^ rivor of lifo in this world. Think not tliiit yo know H avIio stiinrl at tlio little tinkliiiji; rill, tlx' first siiiiill rduiitiiiii. Not until you luivo gono tlirouuli tlio rooky gor^'cs iiiul not lost the strojun; not until you have gone through the ineadow and the stream has widenod and deepened until fleets oouM ride on its bosom; not until bevond th(! meadow you huyo coin(» to the unfathomablo oeoan and jtounnl your treasures into its d(>pths — not until then can you know what love is. — Henry Ward Bccchcr. A Wo>rAN's Faitit. In one of the towns in Ihigland ther(> is u beauti- ful little ehapel, and a vory touching story is told in eonneetion witli it. It was built by an infidel. He liad a praying wife, but he would not listen to her; w uld not allow her pastor even to take dinnible; would not allow I'f'ligion even to be talked of She made up h(M- mind, seeing slie could not inthienee liim ])y hov voice, tliat cvei'v day she would pray to ( Jod at twelve o'(dock foi' Ills salvation. She said nothing to him, but cNci'y day at that hour she told the Lord about her husband. At the end of twehc months there was no change in him. But she did not give it up. Six months more went past. Her faith began to waver and she said: "Will I have to give him up at lust? Perhaps when I am dead he will answer my pray- Thr Bra uf if III Ti' "J l'ij< 121 ors." Wlion h.i- hud «ot at that point it s.'.'imMl just MS if ( lod had got her whero he Nvnnt.Ml her. 'Yho man rnmo homo to dinner ono day. His wife was in th.? .liaintr-n.um waiting' for hini. ! ^' be didn't c.nu- m. Sho waited some time, and limilly lookcl for him ad Ihrou-h the house. At last she thought of going into that httle room wliere sh-' liad i>rayed for him s., often. There he was, pniving at Iho sum.' h-'d with agonv where Aw ha.l prayed I'nr .-- many months, asking forgiveness forhi^ ^ii.^. And this is a lesson to you, wives, whu liave inlidel hu>hands. The Lord saw that woman's f-iith and answered her prayer. I'A'ERY Man his Brotrku's Kkf.pku. Why not always speak well M' your neighbor-.^ Many people who speak ill liav- uo malice; tlirv would he idled with remors.' if y do eould he brought home to them. P.ut tliry have u.> conception of the value of reputati..n and the powr <.f words. The true wealth of a eommuniiv is the rharaeter of its citizens, and the sum of tl.nt priee- h'ss capitrd is nnide u). of in.lividmd reputations. AVhoever smirches one of these leaves a black murk „n the whole community; whoever detraets iVom one i,f these weakens the moral p-.wer of the wind., eom- munfty. Society U altogether to., lenient with its evU speakers; it ouglit to brand them an^l =!r;!w a 122 The Beautiful Tree of Life. circle of isolation around them. They are far more dangerous tlian tlio classes that are avowedly and professionally criminal. Many a man keeps his credit mid holds his place who deserves the whip of small cords, and many a, woman holds her own in the "best circles" whoso jndoment of scorn ought not to bo deferred for the next Avorld to pronounce. Your neighbor's reputation is as much yours to guard from misconception and preserve from stain as your own. When you help to build it up you serve your- self no less than another. If you do not understand certain things in the house next door, rest content with your own ignorance, and do not go from house to house inviting others to share it, or stand on the street corners and -wonder why things are as they are. There are probably vulnerable spots in your own armor into which a sharp word miglit bo easily driven. Tlie code of morals which permits men and women to speak ill of each other is a relic of barba- rism. Christianity makes every man his brother's keeper. ti a '] 1 "How do you manage to keep out of quarrels?" said a person once to a good man, known to be a great lover of peace. His answer was a wise one: " B}/ Idfiuri the angry per 80)i have tlic quarrel all to himself." Hope is the mother i)f faith. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 123 A Strange Stotiy. "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou Shalt glorify me."— Psalm 1. 15. " Call upon mo," says God, " in the clay of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou .lialt glorify me. This is one of thos(^ eheerinj:; promises whieh have heen the comfort and safety of God's people in evc>ry noe AVhile it gives a condition, it pledges a sure an.l blessed result, telling us that if in. danger, or per- plexity, or trouble, ^ve call upon God,he^vlU an-^wer, deliver and save. i • ^i • Multitudes have tested the promise, and in .heir own experience have found it to be true In the hour of perplexitv or danger many a child ot (.0.1 has called on him, when there was no other resource, and has found him faithful to his promise to deliver, as is shown in the following narrative, which is lit- erallv true : , ^ i- 1 1 In a large and lone house in the south of Lngland lived a ladv of piety and wealth, with only maid- servants in the dwelling itself, her men-servants being in cottages at a distance from the house. It was her custom to go through the house with one o her ser- vants everv evening to see that the windows and doors were properly secured; and one night, alter sooin- that all was safe, she retired to lier room, when, as she entered it, she saw distim-tly a num under the bed. What could she do? Her servants ill i- 1 124 The Bcaviiful Tree of Life. wore ill ;i distant part of tli(> house, where they could not hear if she ci-ictl for help, and even if with her thev wcn'o ]i<> iiiatcli lor a des])erat<' hous( -Itveaker. Wliat, then, (lid she do? Quietly closing- and loek- iiiir the door, as she was always in the hahitof doing, slie leisurely 1)ruslied her hair, put on her dressing- U(»\vn, and then, takins:; her Bible, sat down to vad. She read aloud, thou,u-h in a low and serious lone, choosing a (•ha])tcr which had special reference to (rod's watchful care over those that trust him, whether hy day or l.y night. AVhen it was ended she kn(dt and ])rayed aloud, commending herself and servants to the divine protection, pleading their utter helph^ssness and their dependence on God to preserve them from danger, and praying for the i)oor, the sinful, and the tempted, that they might he k(>i)t from evil and led to put their trust in (io. After a few moments the nnin came out from his concealment, iiid. standing hy her bedside, begged her not to he alarmcil. '• 1 came here," he said, "to rob you; but after the words you ]iav(> ]'(>ad and the ])rayer you have ut- teriMl no ])o\vei' on earth couM induce me to harm vou or to ioii(di a thing in your dwelling. But you iiiuj.j>>.p J J IJ ^i^^s^w^ iii|" i- '' .M ' -' l! M""^.M i >'- i - ' 'r. ffr" ^^t^MNv-aqwp-WVrV^VM^ 11 \- I ., ..■. ,, r.siuii, til' Vli'y The Biuutlfal Tree of Life. will give a signal to my conipjinions which will lead them to go away, and you may sleep in peace, for nc one shall harm you or disturb the smallest thing in your house." He then went to the window and gave a low whistle, and coming back to the lady's side said: '' Xow I am going. Your prayer will be an- swered and no disaster will befall you.'"' lie left the i'()(jm, and soon all was quiet; and the lady at last fell asleep, calm in the exercise of her faith and trust in God, her soul filled with thankful- ness for his protecting goodness. The man proved true to his word. In the morning it was foumi that not a thing in the house had been disturbed. And the lady more than once earnestly prayed that the man might be led to forsake his evil course and put his trust in that Saviour who came to seek and save the lost, and who, even on the cross, could accept and save the thief who was penitent. The deliverance of the lady may seem wonderful, and the story almost too strange for belief. But some time after the occurrence a letter was received by the one who related it, fully corroborating the statement, and adding some facts that enhance l)oth the wonder and the mercy of the escape. The let- ter says: " In the first place, the robber told her that if she had given the slightest alarm or token of re- sistance he was fully determined to murder her, so that it was providential she took the course she did. Then, before he went away, he said: *' I never heard The Beautiful Tree of Life. 127 such .-ords before, and I must ha™ «- 1-".;;^ ^vhich you read;' and lie carried olV her Bible, ^vUl in^lv euough given, you may be sure. This happened years ago, and only lately di the lady ear any moJ-e of the robber. She uas attend. :!' "ligious meeting in Yorlcshire where after " ;eral noted clergyman and others had spoken, a ::: arose, saying that he .as o-P -yod - one o the bookharters (or colporteurs) of the -<"^f-'^^ told the story of the midnight ad^^nture s a test. ,,ony to the wonderful power ol he 1^'; ^^ «»f; concluding with, " I was tha man ! 1 e lady o^o from her scat in the hall and said, H"ictly. It ix aU iruc- I was the lady! " and sat down again 'if ,™ had moreiith in God's Word - -ro uU nnd cliihUikc rclianec ou his prom...-s and h s proyi 1 ce l>ould we not far more frequently in.d, ni our own experience, lliat be ncyer fails his people m the liniir of their need? , . . ., ' W,:, are inyited by God to call upon lum m ,he day of trouble? AVhy arc you not inyi ed. \ ;„ ,ld it be wrong for you to call upon Cod ,,i ,l.>v of trouhle? Because you do not repent ol jou 'flvnee'againsthim. Kepent now, and then you wiU have a right to ask him for help. .. I „..VE fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."-2 Tim. iv. 7. 1 • ' t masm 128 Tlir Hrniitiful 'JWr of Life, Faith s AVlvg. V\K ill ilio ether ovcrlicnd Circles ;i little l.inl; J poll ili(. drowsy siuiiiucr air Its sijvciy notes are heard. W'ilhiu a -ivcii tree's leafy sliade Tliere Iiides a tiny nest; rneossaiif cliirpinij,- cries from it Hasten the niotlier's quest. The song- and the eoniplainin.u', h<'fh. To us are hidden speech; 'I'o God tlie mystery is all clear- The languao-ehe o-ave each. ^Vithiu those eagiM- hearts of ours Are song-s and cries, unknown, rno-aessed,save oy the lovinn; Heart Kes})onsive to t>ach ton(>. I le Knows! Ife knows! Tlio blessed thought Does wondrous comfort l.ring; He'll read our tangled lives aright, AVhcther we soh or sing. Heyond all duuht and (|uestioiiin<'-s The soul takes happy flight, And rests on the sweet consciousness Of his uU-seeing sight. I Will lilt I ic .'ub iir Mii'j." 9 un,m j ^.uM j m I'SO The lledulifiil Trie of IJj'e. And whon to cvcMy sense is jriven Tniniortiil lite, new power, We'll iv;ul Ins tender speech aright, His lovo Gill' richest dower. — Hannah Coddington. 'Del ivcr niv Truth. soul, O Lord, from Ivlng lips."— PsAl.M cxx. 2. If I lake out my wiitcli to find what time it is, it -will lie of liKlo use for me \n look nt it unk'ss I nni tliat it keeps good time. If it sometimes staiuh SUI'i Stil or an hour or mor(> mid tlieii <;-oes on again; i f it sometimes d h),/ Life. 1:^1 About TiirTii. SoMR of ur. aro con but havo we Icanic'l y.t al the tliinss that Ht'cni ]»laii tiiuially askiii.t; f"!- inov«^ inith I vrt all \\u'\'i' i- 1 In ll.~ to k 11 ni)\v a l)t>Ut I VI' we iiiauc ill the truth we have foun.l ].art<.f oursrlv(-? 'I'luT li^ the truth of ])urity; aro wo ]• is the truth ot uusc Hishi U'ss; •fccth lavo \V(^ iiurc Thcr inriroth'ii <''!'■- ■Ives? Thcr(^ i^ the truth (.f absolute iuto.Lirity ; 1- lU our life stainless iu 1 ts clfar li,Li-hf 'Fl ICl'C the li deep, accp truth of love; does it inspire, Uirrr aui transform our inuern until we have k»arne( inst th()U.^hts? Tfnot,l.'tus\vait 1 thrsethino;s hcfoiv wo ask ( iod to roll back the doors of the unseen univ.^rsr lor our curious eves. I 1 "Blessed ai;1': thk PruK ix iri:AUT. LoVEof puritvis the vision of (Un\. Wh-n o"- loathes that whieh is vih" aud .lospises that whiHi is polluting, will not loud hnai^iuatjou to nupuro thou-dits, and shudders at tho very su-ffestiou ot vc devotedly is to seo ( 1(m1. I-onc fur another, when it i< unalloyed with S(dti-liiies<. when it seeks the gooil (>!' the person lovetl. and is not ajipalled hy the saeriliees invion of (!od as can he j;ain('(l in this worhl. Every one that lovetli is horn of Clod ami knowetli (rod, for (iod is love. 'Vi> love a little is to know iiiii(,' (iiiic. 'I'lic lioart as it is purified beeonies ])el- li-r eapalde ol' seeing God. As (iod is more clearly .^ecii llio lieart becomes more jmif. Oif, that there mi^ht he lent to us somethin*; of Christ's spirit. And yet, those that walle.t.M.,c.e,.c„.ve HK had been brought u, in tbo ^ ;'«;;; ''^ • ■ 1. 1,0 liul bocii 111 prison, uuu an 11 boon a eniiuiiul, ho bad bc^ I ^^^^ ^,^^^^ scntenco expired and hi ai, ^ouv ^ ^,^^,,,. said: •■ TacV, you're vei y-"^ ,;,",,„, ,-„, i,,,,. chance. Try to bo an honest man an I P . I , 1 knew if you wiU pray. _ , ...You'd make me, if anyone could, I- ;. 1 ;dn't sure of the use of it ><•* JJ ^.^^^^ ..He just looked at mcsoi-r.»vful, foil'" even that much bofori^ ->' -;; /\,, ,,„i ,,ough „;;tr:o!iftT:ri^^^^^^ 13G The JJcauliful Tree of Life, not a soul would liavo mo. A jail-bird! — well; tlioy thought not. I grew mad again, an' ^et I uouhhi't take to tlio rivci- for somclH)\\' I'd lost mv (,'oura<:c'. Then I mot an old ])a], an' lio took mo 'round to Micky's .'^aloon. 'J'ho bardvCoi)ci''d just liccn stuck in a liglit. I'<1 l)ccn a jM'ofitablc on(^ for Micky, 'an ]nayl)0 lie thouglit, boginuin' tlicrc, I'd go back to tlie river onco more. An' there I was tlirco years, an' lights nigli every night of tlio year. I couhl stop 'em wlien no ono else couhl, for I was always sol)er. "'Why don't you drink?' tliey'd say; an' I'd tell 'cm I wanted what brains I had unfnddlcMh But I liatcd it Avorso and worse. I'd liavo stopjx'd any minute if tliere'd been one alive to take me by the liand an' say, *II(>rc's honest W(jrk,' T looked at folks when I went out, to see if there was ono tliat could bo spoken to. An' at last I made up my mind for another try. I'd saved some money and could livG a M'liile, an' one Saturday night I jnst left when Micky paid me. Mict another man/ I said; 'I'm done,' an' I walked out, with him shoutin' after me. "Then I waited three months. I iinsw{Ted adver- tisements an' I put 'em in. I went here an' I went there, an' always it was th(^ sanu> stoiy, for I answered everyono square. An' at last I was sick of it all; I h;iil notliing to live for. ' Tni tired of li\inu' with i',;. 1 sjiid, 'an goiid folk- are too gooil (m 1i;i\(. anytliiii.u to do willi me. I've liad ;ill I want. If ! The Beautiful Tree of Life V >i work don't come in a week I'll got out of this the easiest way.' . - It aian't come. My money was -one; 1 a -one InuioTV two days; I'd been on half rations heioro tliatrim my strength was all gone; I'd pavncd n^v c-lothcs till I wasn't decent. Then I hadn t a con even for a place on the floor in a lodgin'-houso, an.l T .at in the City Hall Park long as they would let nic Then, when I was tired of l,ein' rapped over the head, I got up an' walked down Be.kman strec>t to the river-slow, for I was too far gone in mov.. fa.t But as I got nearer something seemed to ]u,ll me on. I began to run. ' It's the end of all In-u. ble ' I said, and I went across like a shot an d..un the' docks. It was bright moonlight, an' 1 ha.l s..nH- to iunip for a dark place, where the light was cut ..II ; •ni' that's all I remember. I must have hit my hea-l M.-'in.t a boat, for when they took mo out it w;.s i.-r ,lr.,.1 Two of mrold pals hauled me out, an worked ti„nv on the dock to bring mo to, till tlie ambulance vnuw an' took me to Bellcvuo. " 1 wouldn't have lived, but I didn't know enough ,,, n),bein' in a fever a month. Then 1 .-nne out of it dazed an' stupid, an' it wasn't till I n a hand if I hadn't, thougli. "I wont out, trcmhlin' an' sick, an' without a spot to hiy my licad; an' right there I stood l»y the river an' thouglit it wouhl come easier tliis time. But I'd never go hack on my word, an' so T started down, crawlin' ah)ng, and didn't get tliere till meetin' had begun. I didn't know what sort of a place it was. " It was new then, in an old rookery of a house, but the room clean an' decent, and just a little sign out, 'Helping TTand For Men.' I sat an' listened and wond(M'e(l tdl it was over, an' then tried to go, but first I knew T tund)led in a dead faint an' was bein' taken up-stairs. They made me a l)ed next their own room. 'You'd better not,' I said: 'I'm a jail-bird an' a ]-aseal, an' nobody alive wants to have anything to do witli me.' " ' You Ite (piiel,' says Jerry. ' I'm a jail-bird my- self, but the Lord Jesus has forgiven mo an' nuido mo happy, au' he'll do the same by you.' "They ke[)t me there a week, an' you'd think I was their owu,l]i<>way lliey treated me. But I stuck it out: 'When T se(> a man tliatV always been re- spectalde eome to me an' give me wdrk. an say lie's The Beautiful Tree of Life. 139 not afraid or ashamed to, then maybo I'll believe in "ur Jel Christ you talk about; buthow an> I g...u '":1!:°«Itver. night it came. You know hi,. ..ell- ho gentlemen that looks as if the wu,d had Itr blown rough on him, an> yet with an eye that can't be fooled. , . j " ' You don't need to tell me a word, he i-ays. believe you are honest, an' you can bog n to-morrow if you'rl strong enough. It's light work, an ,t shall '^Tltk^ltt'himrln' it seemed to me something «,Jh:d frozen me all up inside melted tbamnu,. I burst out cryin' an' couldn't sto ,. An then h thing I knew, he was down on las k-e-- 1- • > > fo me ' Dear Lord,' he said, 'he .s thy eluld h ^L iways been thy child. Make hu„ know t . - ni„bf m >ke him know that thy love has abvay. to r::"ll"m and will hold him up, so that insfeetwdl "^::Thl!:;Xtltayedbyme. I Idn't speak, an' left me. It keeps me on the watch to. ^'^ *■-^'^^ ^'"^ ''T,:':n' Mb:: T^ n ;,: r..ne know th.. s,gns, ^' ;"".,'„„. ,„„ ,,e. Thee tluit s tar ^^oue. I i>i };"iu m.N SmM 110 The Jlmulifnl Trrc <>/ Life ain't nmcli left of iiic Imt a couuli an' soiiio bones, l)ut T shall he up 1o the last, (lod is that g<»o(l in hk! that ril j^^-o rnal life. But disease had allected his mind as well as his body, and his Christian hope was clouded. lie could not believ(; himself a forgiven sinner, and the vision of an angry (iod shut out en- tirely the sight of an atoning Saviour. AVitli the unselfishness that had nnn-ked his whole life, he ke})t his anguish fi'()m the knowledge of his 1 hildren; only the oldest daughter, taking her sainted mother's place, watching day and night at his l)illow, knew how the waves and billows had gone over hir.i. " My own faith," said this sweet girl to mo aft' rward, "Avas shaken to the foundation. Had not God promised to 1)0 with his people 'even to old age,' Mo gray hairs,' 'in the valley and shadow of death ' ? And yet here was my precious father, whose memory scarcely reached to a time when he did not lovo and serve God, who now seemed utterly forsaken by him. ^11 Tlir n'""lif"l Trrroflifr- lU i I fi 11 cnul.l not prav for my fatl.cr. :"a!run;sst„u.u '.''';;:;;;;: I'tdsuu. .. one l,n«.,t Juno .,..n.n,.l^^-H^^^^ ''"''^:;^:;; ;>tJ.uinott...,u.,UMu,..,i...«i.tor answered, l>ut tnat .^^,,1 ■,f I «.a. onlv .,t peace «..H ,,, C ■ ^^^ _ .^. ^^^^ rs"----^^^^ ^-""" ,,„,l..l„„v fer ,ny futher-s beaUl, visits to our siek fatl.er Inul P"" ,,,;, ,,, x ,„ve was not l,o«nclod l.y '''"■r'', ? '^n.! aepresse,! ,, ,,iHt to .ee ;>;^«;:'^,; -,;':;:, .„ ,. „„., kindly symputliy \h. 1 . took i ^,,t,^,,„,a, an.l 1 scarcely reached tlu> g^Ue WfVn^^^^^^^ ^vas again s.n.on.i^-on.te^^A^^^ ou ^^ll^ i ,, ravers, ntlu-v This morning, '-vlnl(^ at lainiiN ] '« , f,,U, u stmnK innn-lse to emne .n I . 1 ^v.rasJVou.somemotiveo ™,n, .,l.^^_^.l „„. i„,>.ntion of .onuns, h»t l.e fu 1 1 ,„v dniv became mere urff.ut, an.l evcn^ att. . your door I was impelled to come Lack. 142 The Beautiful Tree of Life. "1 no longer objected, and ho paid father a short visit, conchiding it, as usual, with a fervent j)rayer. Something iu lliis ])ray('r luovcd my father to open his heart to Di'. \\, aud he told liim of his trouble, saying again: ' It is all dark, dark, dark! ' ' Is it so?' said his visitor; ' but that need not disturb you; don't vou remember that our old commentator savs some of liis dear childrcMi our Father puts to ])cd in the dai'k?' As he spoke a sudden gleam lighted up tlio dear, worn face. A gleam? Nay, it was the dawning light of that perfect day which even then was I'ising for him. 'Ah!' he said, 'then it is all right; I did not know it was my Fatlier's doing.' " From this moment his peace was unbroken. God had sent his messenger with a simi)le spell — a few quaint words fr(nn an old-time writer — the pebbles from the brook — and the last attack of the evil one was defeated. In a few days God's weary child was wi'lcomed homo." " Bk ye Ready? " When our Masi r was upon eartli he said: "The niuht cometh when no nnni can woi'k ; what I do I must do now;" and there are none of you who may not well say: "AVhat I am to do for my children, what I am to do for my i)artner, what I am to do for my neighbor, what I am to do for the cause of Christ, I must do now." Your heart which is to-day beating apparently in perfect health may cease to beat before Bidrtin^e. Ml: Tin' nonifl/uf Tr,r of Ijjr fo-morrow; on every sil that when- e\ci' it pleases ( lod to call ho sliould l)e I'eady to d(>- part and he with Christ, which is l)etter tliaii life; nevertheless, wlien a, man thinks of death as tlio tinal closiiio' (.riiis career there is so much to he (h.ne fo- il imself, for his faiiiilv, foi- his nei^hhors, and for tlie ehiireh of Chrisi, that it hehooves liini to ask himsell, "Am i (loin.-- all that I o^n-ht to do?" . A NOHLE ReVEN(}R. 1st. We nnist Itave j^nrc ideas. Trutli is found in many nlucos; hut ])ure truth— truth Avithout any (.iTroi— the whole of truth which rohitcs to our lilV an.l the future world, is found only in 'Mesus " and his " Word."' I[e is the ])erl\'ct t(>acher. If we start in ei-roi- it doesn't matter how far we ,uo in it, it is ei-ror still. And it leads IVoni had to worse, and then to the worst. \U\t if we oive our hearts to Jesus ho will till them with truth and lov(\ iM. ]\ r nnist (h, r/;iht (irtiuii.^. Somo children aro qnarrelsoiue. othei's ai'e kiiuL This cliild is deceil- tul, that on ohodient. Some ar(> stuhhorn, others easily con- quered. Xow, to do right is tlio first thiuir to learn. But wo are only aide to do riuiit when God helps us Ly tho Holy Spirit. We ought to pray for that Spirit The liiautifid Trie cj lAj'e. IV. m ?A. Wg must have right motives. By motives is luoaiit tlio causo we havo iu doing things. Soinc tilings may turn out good to others aUhoiigh we luoaiit it otherwise. If our thoughts and intentions arc 'vrong wo can get no credit for what our actions may do. 4th. We must be forgiving. If others do wrong, mo need not. If they say wicked things about us their saying them does not make them true. If they do evil things to us we must not return evil for evil. "I want to see my mother," sobbed a poor boy as the undertaker screwed down the lid of a coffin. " Yo-u can't! Get out of the way, boy! Why don't somebody take the brat? " " Only let me see her a minute," cried the orphan. "Only once; let me see my mother only once." Quickly and brutally the hard-hearted monster struck the boy away. "When I'm a man I'll kill you for that! " muttered the child. Years passed away. The court-house was crowded. " Does any man appear as this man's counsel? " asked the judge. There was cilcnce. A young man stepped forward and pleaded his cause. Ho was a stranger; but his power in speccli and management acquitted the crim- inal. " May God reward you, sir," said the acquitted man; "I can't." 10 I IK) The Beaut l/al Tree of Life. Ill " [ want no thanks," replied the !strun<;xT. " Man. 1 will relVesh yonr memory. Twenty years a^.. y.-u letter that first commandment of sgj- lishness: "Keep what you can -t, and li'et what y.,u can." Tn fillinn; y.air minds with the wealth of knowledsve, you must reverse this rule, and obey this law: " Ke<'p what you ,uive, and jiivo what you can." The fountain of knowled.^e is Idled I'y its outlets, not hy its inlets. Vou can harn nothing^which you ,1., not teach; you can accpiire nothinn;of iiftellectual Avealth, except hy givin.ij;. In tho illustration of the lamps, which T have given yon, was not the light of the thousands ef millions which were lighted at yours as much your light as if it all came from your solitary lamp? I'id you not dispel darkness hy giv- ing away light? Kememher this parable, and wluMiever you^ fall in with an iiulighted mind in your walk of life, drop a kind and glowing thought upon it from yours, and set it a-burning in the world with a light that shall shine in some dark i.lace to beam on the benighted. ;% The Bcautijul 'T^rtr of Life. 49 is L It is tola that thoro is a picture in tho pill«'ry -f tho Louvre, ill Paris, wiiich represents u iii"ii' ~ writing with the intense-t and most straiuca inau>tr\ . llohaa been careless in his ta sow does not wrii;- forth fruit. Onr Saviour teaches us th it some i 150 The Beautiful Tree of Life. will fall by the way-sido, some on stony gronnA and some among thorns. This we must expect, as good seed-sowers. But what of it? Should it lead us not to sow at all? Nay, it should rather lead us, like the Indians, to sow more bountifully, lest, with scanty sowing, tho crows, the worms and the squirrels get the whole liarvcst. If we sow bountifully, we may rest assured of this: that the good seed of truth will tiud its way to some lionest and good hearts, and Itring forth fruit thirty, sixty or a hundred-fold. The inspired word tells us: "Tie which sowetli sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth boun- tifully shall reap also bountifully." Virtue. I MAINTAIN iliai ])urity loves the light; and I have seen it oNcr and onit again, that late lioiirs have proved a young man's ruin. Ahl I might tell you of one, as promising a lad as I ever had under my ministry — tho only son of his mother, and sho a widow — who in an evil hour began to tam})er with temptation. I took him to be a Christian, and looked f M' hi in to Ifo his parent's comfort and support; but lie Ix'gan to be late of returning at nights; liours that should liave been spent at home would be spent at the tavern-bar, until the craving was begotten; (lien h(^ commenced to tamper with other thingS; tanijier with truth, tamper with chastity, tamper with The Beautiful Tree of Life. 151 ! i I I 1 his master's money; on he went from good to bad from bad to worse, from worse to worst, till the spirit was broken, and the licallh shattered, and at len-*!. death laid his liand upon his bloated brow; and Cr ■aianv a month thereafter his weeping mother (who has ^ince died of a broken heart) would take on ^veek by week, a few flowers to yonder cemetery, anU scatter them on his grave; and as they dropped from her fingers, she would rend the air ^vith her bitter wail, "Oh, Henry, my son, my son, would to C^od i had died for thee, my son, my son! " A MAN that hath no virtue in himself eycr envieth virtue in others; for men's minds will either feed upon their own good, or upon others' evil; and who wanteth the one will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of hope to attain to another's virtue will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another s for- tune. . Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set. Virtue is uniform, conformable to reason, and of un- varving consistency; nothing can bo ai<.n to-m..rroM-, is cheating' hin,. self.^ The answr <,f Christ to every procrastinating disciple IS, Leave (hn dead past; break away from it now, vow, NOW, a( what.v.r cost. A resolntioi to reform, to repeni, (o brgjn a new lif. next vear next '7"*^'''"'-^' ^v,.ek.,.v..nn,en.xf hour, is ^ delusion Mh.rh never]...! any sold thai trust..! to it one step towar.I tho king.lom ..f (uhI, and has led thousand'-- aiid thousan.ls wbolly and liopclessly away from it. A TorciriN.; Stokv. _ Hekk is a tender story my vvr toll .,,1 some time ^nu'o. A littl,. f.-]l.,w, t... y..ars .d.l. was pullin.- a heavy cart, load..,! with i.iec.s of br..ken board and lat 1 taken from soine stru.etuiv which had b.-en I>ulled d..un. 8ueh a sight is common enou.di in nny of our large cities. Fie wa« evidently" very I The Beautiful Tree of Life. 153 tired. He wanted to rest liimsclf l)cncatli a shade- tree. Tlie little fellow's feet were bruised and sore; his elothint:: was rags; his face was pinched and pale, and on if was fallinii; that i)athetic look of maturity and cai'e von so often see slnidowintr the faces of children anioiiir the verv i)Oor. The ixku" boy lav down on tlie grass beneath tlu^ ivvv, and in live min- n(('s he was fast asl(>e]). His Imre l\'(>t just toiicluMl the curb-l')nt'; bis olet for tbe shade of tlie sanu> ti'(M>. He glanced ; i i, boy, tui'ned away, glaiieeij again, seemed to read the ])itiful wi'iting on llie boy's face and to inter[)i'et it from bis own expe- rience. Then be went softly on ti])-ioe, bent oN-er the boy, iook fi'om his ]>o<.'k( t ]\i< own scant dinnei" — a bil (.f ])read and meat — and laid it down liesiile the lad, then w.ilked (piiekly an[)ing himself out of sight, as Hiough lie would e-eape thanks. l>ut other iiassersdiy had noticed now tbe sleeping boy, attracted by the kindly mancEUvering of the old tivmi 154 The Beautiful Tree of Life. man. lie had said no word whatever. He had simply done his gentle deed and gone on. But now a man walked down from his steps and left a half- dollar hesido the poor man's hread and meat; a wo- man came and left a good liat in the place of the old one; a child came with a pair of shoes, and a hoy with a coat and vest. Others of the i)assing throng a[)on the street halted, whispered, dropped dimes and quarters besides the first i)iece of silver. Suddenly the little i)inched-faced fellow awoke, startled, as if it were a crime to sleep there. lie saw the bread, the clothing, the money, the score of people waiting with their kindly faces. He saw it was all tangible and not a dream. Then he sat down, covered his thin face with his thin hands, and sobbed aloud. From the old wood-sawyer, witli pocket empty of his dinner but Avith heart filled with beneficence, cer- tainly had gone I'orih a niost controlling and loving might, compelling all these helpers of the waif of the city streets; while sleep, for a time, put its bless- ing on tlu^ pitiful young-old face. "The ox knowoth his owner, find the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." — IsA. i. 3. TiTH Biide gives us this illustraiion about the ox knowinii: where to lind his iVxxl. and I road the other day about a similar instinct iKjticcd even in plants. A tree which is fond of water will send otf its principal roots towards a str(\nii or pond if there be one near. The Beautiful Tree of Life. In.-) /V strawberry plant, growing in sand or poor soil, will turn its runners in the direction of good soil, if it l)c within reach; but if too far off it will not make the attempt. A child ought to have as much sense as a tree, or a strawberry-plant, or an ox. These all know where they get what they need, and turn their faces Ihitlicr. The child ought to love father and mother, for no one can or will do for them as they. To tui'ii away from them to a barren, harsh world, hoping to find some- thinn; better than one's own home, is as foolish as it is wicked. Even the ox knows where he has been fed. The child ought to love the good Father in Heaven who has given us everything we love. To think that any other service can or will give us such good as his service is even more foolish than to run away from a good home. Even the hungry beast knows his owner and the barn wlu^re he has l)een often fed. Watch the Little Things. There is a barn upon tiie Alleghany Mountains so i)uilt that the rain which falls ui)on it separates in such a manner that that which falls upon one side of the roof runs into a little stream which flows into the Susquehanna and thence into the Chesapeake Bay and on into the Atlantic Ocean; tnat which falls the other side is carried into the Alleghany River, thence into the Ohio, and onward to the Gulf of Mexico. The Hi ii - 1 a ^hH ^ "^^1 m -'^ 1 A 156 The Beautiful Tree of Life. point whore the wai ers divide is very small. But how dificrent the course of these waters! So it happens with people. A very little lliinjji; (•han.!j;es theohnniKd of tlieir lives. Much (lej)cnds npDii the kiml nf {cm- pcrs we have. If we are sour niid ill-tc snpi ''i^l no one Avill love us. if we are kind and eiu'eil'iil we .shall have friends wherever we go. Much d(})ends upon tlie Avay in wliich we improve^ our si-ht'ol days. Much depemis ujion iiie kind of ('(imratics we havr, much upon tlie kind of habits we form. If we would have the rigid kind (jf a life we must watcli the little things. We nuist see how on- liiin;j: alVects aTiotl> r thing, how one little act takes in many others. A. Living Religion. I HA\ K noticed that the slender brook which car- ries the mill is more musical on Sund.iy than on any other day, because the mill stands smII, and the brook, having nothing to do with its water, gurgles over the rocks, and flounders over the dam, and makes a thousand times more merry noise than f>n any other day. But ^Monday comes, and the gates are hoisted, and the mill runs, and the brook is not so musical; but the mill is more so. This mill did nothing on Sundav, and the brook is doing more on Monday than it did on Sunday. It played on Sun- day, but it works on Monday. And Christians, as it were, play in the spirit, and have a holy jollity ou ' The Beautiful Tree of Life. m? Sunday. It is a holiday for them. Nor would I undcrvHluo their expcricMice or joy. But I say that tlu.y are not so busv when they sin^^ and pray and iTJoice in the sanctuary as when, hy tlie power ot K.une moral emotion, they are combating temptatmn nnd resisting pride, and overcoming selfishness, and building again the kingdoms of this world with the 1h,1v stones of the New .Jerusalem. Then, when piety costs; when it means bearing, heroism, and achievement; not then when it seeks joy, but when it seeks battle— then men are nearest to God, and most like Christ. When a man stands upon the deek, and at the bench, and by the forge, and in the furrow, and in the collierv, then, if ever, if he has a lite t.) live of true pietv, is the time; and there at the i)Ost „f duty is the place. For all the humblest avocations and emplovments are so arranged that, while they serve to support the actor, they do a humlred times a. much for the community as they do for him that follows them. It is unfortunate that our habits of thouiiht have not been more Christianized, an,( more aii-ry heeaiise 't' i^ ti ,!• (.. lint the <,n)o(l hlaeksmith's work hoMs. ^inkiii,-;- far out of si-;lit, aii.l .<;rai>pHn,u- the l'"iiii(l;i!iMiis of the earth it will not K-t <,vo. And Wr, for th. lirst timo, so© the v.-ilne of his uift. I'lvcis' hiik li.is ])(rii j)ro{,i,>, welded; .uid thouj^li tlie whid howls, and the sea, wa<,^'S a tieive iiiid (h-spe- rat(! hattle, and tlie strain is treiiien(h)Us, the storm passes hy, and there rides the ,<;a1huit sliip safe? That is what he ;,Mve. Ho pive a (diaiii, an anehor, to the e(Miimnnity, and salvation to the hundreds on hoard tho ship, and Joy and peace wiiere the tidin^^s eome ol souls saveil from the mnoiscless deep. And yet, how many men thi Jc simply that h.' imelo an anehor, and ^'ot so iiiaii\ Imndrod Imndred lives. C'liAiUTY' and good nature give a sanction to (he tnnst jnnnnoii actions; and pride a- ^ ill-natnr.' make "II' h •-! virtues d 'Spicable. "0 wn. . a goodly wutsido falsehood hath."— SJiakcspcare. " Past all sliame, pa.=t all tvnih." -Shakespeare The Beautiful Tree of Life. IrfJ I BELIEVE lilt virtue shows quite as well in rags anil patchori as she does in pnrplo and lino linen. Virtue, for us, is obedience to (iod in (.'lirist. Virtue is the health of the soul. It gives u flavor to the smallest leaves of life. Virtue, thougii clothed in a beggar's garl), < oia- mands respeet. The path of virtue is closed to no one; it lies upon to all; it admits and invites all, whether they be free- born men, or slaves, or freedmcn, kings or exiles; it requires no (lualifications of family or c^f jjroperty, it is satisfied with a mere man. — Seneca WisDo never grows old, for she is the expression of order itself; that is, of the Eternal. Only tlie wise man draws from life, and from every stage of it, its true savor, because only he feels the beauty, the dignity, and the value of life. Great is wisdom; infinite is the value of w'"sdom. It cannot be exaggerated; it is the highest achieve- ment of man. He is wise who can instruct us and assist us in the business of dailv virtuous liviiii;. " Falsehood, like an arrow directed Ijy a god, flies back and wounds tiie archer.""— C/od/ie. "A i"'i should bo trample' ever foun 1." — Carlule. 11 , xtinguished, wher- ifll MS iisi'ii lt;2 'I'l,, li,v. ,-....vs,P-nK.tuaieo„. >; ';,, , n ousan.l ionns „n,.,n,.i.l.on to sm , „rin.'in.' IV»n. our IVllow-iuon, and ;;:; ; ;::;;:-;:;-;;^;;;n.on, «,.u.,an ,.r^p.; .--■';'i;'r'-r;,:\i;r;r:;i::"-i'n;;::r ■'""■'" , onl's Mlo; in tUi. oonllict tho l;.,\;,,,e,l against ..very form or »m, «-o may 1..- pouco witli ('Oil. As l.rrri.Kf'nn.nREN. ^X„o U tlu- best oar-A for in .•very houschoW? Is i, „„ ho littU, ■■Uiiaron .' And doc. not the least of , I u'lpl.- ''^^I'v. 'eceivo the largest share? A. ' :, , T has said, the baby "toils not, neither ,:::',::■:■:,; an,l yet m. is fed, and elothe.^ and l„v,.d an. niui,-. d in," and none so mneh as he h;;iir....lMain,..l,en,abon,whiehlam.« ..onsisu in :,..st ,his-bein« a culd '" - •; f^^ ,,on.o .\"d When (his is said, enough is said to uipssedncss an passeth all nnderstanf the pit wlicncL" yc are di;j;geJ." — Is. li. i. Senatoii IIkxuy Wilson was a soir-coiitrolleil as well as a seli'-iiuido man. IIo left his New Ilainp- shiro homo early in life, and chani^od his mimo, in order to get out from under tlio hanefnl ^^liadow of intemi)eraneo. IIo began on the lowest round of the social ladder, and climbed Up, rung by rung, imtil he beeamo a j^olitieal power in tho iuiti(»n. The first step ho took in Iho ascent ])laced him on tho pledge never to drink intoxicating liquors. M'lie second step he took made liim an industrious laborer, tho thinl a diligent reader. IFo was^ sent to "Washington to carry a petition against tho admission (d* Texas into the Union, .lolin (J,uinry Adams askf^l Jiim tem])craneo principles for a UKment, in order not to seem singular, was a strong om-. But he re- sisted it and deelineil tho glass of wlno. 'Mv. Adams commended him for his adherence to his convic- tions. After Mr. Wilson was elected to tho United States Senate, lie gave his fritMids a dinner at a notecl Bos- ton hotel. The table was set with not a wine glass upon it. I i gi 1.1 • W:^ 100 77/ f r>((itillfid Tree of Life, "Where arc tlie '\vino-<;] asses ? " asked several, lou-l eiiouLrh to remind tlu ir liost tliat sonio of the guests did Hot like sitting down lo a wineless dinner. " ( Iciillciiien," said Mr. Wilson, rising and s])eak- ing w\\\i a great deal of feeling, "you know my friendslii[) ior you and my obligations to you. Great as they ai'c, lliey are not great enongli to make me forget 'the rock from whence I was hewn, and the pit from whence I was dug.' Some of you know- how tii(i curse of intemperance overshadowed my youth. That T miglit escape, I fled from my early surroundings and changc(l my name. For what 1 am I am indchtcd, un(h'r (iod, to my temperance vow and to my adherence to it. "Call for wliat you want to eat, and if this liotel can ])rovid(^ i(, it sliall he forilicoming. But wines ami li(p]ois <-annot cohh! to this tahle with my con- sent, hccause I will not s|irca<] in tlic ]>alli of another tlio snare from "whicli T li;iv(^ e>fapc(h" Three rousing cheei's sliowed IJic l»rave Senator that meji admired th<^ man who lias tlie courage of his convictions. " Pi:ArE ho within thy walls an than sorrow; for iov is bread and sorrow is medicine. Thr Beaallfx/ Tree of Life. 167 Duty. Many person.-^ fo(>l that Ihoy arc not following Christ very closely bocaiiso ihoy do not have inn
  • rc is inudi that 1 niii^t .1..; my husband cannot tak.' a great deal of thought about things at hornc^; my children are small, so that night and day I must have them U])<)ii my mind; and really I have very little time to read or pray, rving. Cod put you where you are, and told you to do the things that ho has im- posed upon you; and he does not expect you t.. do thorn and all other kinds of work at the sanu! time. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, tlic evidence of thing, not 3een."=HEPRKWs xi. 1. 1G8 The Beautiful Tree of Life. Sown ijv the Wayside. "In the morning sow (hy seed, and In the evening withhold not tliine hand; lor thou knowest not wh tlicr sliall prosper eitlier this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."— Eccles. xi. C Last year, in a city in Texas, I was told of the de- sire ou the i>art of a hidy for conversation, and when wo met l»y nrrangement she came in widow's weeds, with a littk' Ikiv ten or twelve years old, and began to tell this story: Mvv liusband was once a student at the University of ^^irgiIlia, when the person she was talking to was the chaplain there, more than twenty-five years ago. lie was of a Presbyterian family from Alabama, and said he never got ac- quainted with th(^ cluqdain, for tlie students were numerous, but that he heard tlie preaching a great deal, and in consequence of it, by God's blessing upon it, lie was 1(>(1 to talce hold as a Christian, and went liomc and joined the churcii of his parents. After the war lie married this lady, and a few years ago ho passed away. She said ho was in the habit, before she knew him, she learned, of talking often in the family about tilings ho used to hear the preacher say; the preacher's words had gotten to bo household M'ords in the family. And then when they were married he taught some of tluMii t(^ her, and was often repeating things ho used to hear the preacher say. Since he died she had been teaching them to the little boy — the preacher's words. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 169 The heart of the preacher might well melt in his bosom at the story. To tliink tliat your poor words, which you yourself liad wholly forgotten, which you could never have imagined had vitality enough for that, had been repeated among strangers, had been re- peated by the young man to his mother, repeated by the young widow to the child — your poor words, thus mighty because they were God's truth you were trying to speak and because you had humbly sought God's blessing. And through all the years it went on, and the man knew not, for more than a quarter of a century, of all that story. Ah! wo never know when we are doing good. Sometimes wo may think we are going to do great things, and so far as can ever be ascertained, wo do nothing; and sometimes when we think we have done nothing, yet, by the blessing of God, some truth has been lodged in a mind here and there, to bear fruit after many days. TirK Infinite IIoliness. " I DO not know what the heart of a villain may be, " said Count Deraaistre; *' I only know that of a vir- tuous man, and that is frightful." I am sure tliat every pure and most conscientious one can enter, at least somewhat, into that sentiment. No man who thinks about himself cannot butb^^ sometimes fright- ened at the evil in himself. Tnere is ain in thought; ! 1 35ra 170 The Beautiful Tree of Life. thcro is sin in word; there is sin in act, Inclocd, in just tlie proportion in wliicli tlie conscience becomes clearer does the soul bocomo more conscious of tlie sin within itself, just as black looks blackest in tlie strongest light. Paul, pure and iio1)le and devoted as he was, mu/t yet call himself the chief of sinners. AVe must each of us enter into the universal confes- sion: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." But God is absolute holiness. God is infinite white- ness, infinite purity. Into the near and loving pres- ence of that purity sin can never come. AVe are by sin bereft of God. The shadows of the death eternal fall upon us. But the Lord Jesus came into this world to under- take for us. He enters into the human condition. ]r(^ l)ears our sins in his own body on tlie tree. He stands in our jilacc. lie endures our chastisement. Tic expiates our sins. We are to be free from them. They are to be lost and swallowed up in him. Ho dies that Wf mav liv<,'. Love suilcreth long and is kind; ]ov<^ <'nvieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not pu(l'th no csil: icjnjccth not in iniquitv.but Tcjoicelh in the ti'tiili ; licircth all things, believeth all tilings, liopcth all things, cndureth all things. Hie Beautiful Tree of Life. 171 No Night in ITeaven. Is it not a blessed announcement tliat there is a world in wliieh " here shall he no ni.L^dit; " no ni,L,dit of crime, deceit, treachery or 1cni])t:ition; no ni,nht of sorrow or ignorance; no ni;^dit of pain, sickness or death? Oil, tell it to the penitent, who is stru<:,Lrlin«,' a-^ainst the evil habits and depraved inclinations of a Avicked heart, who, on lite's fierce hattlc-licld. is striving to vln an immortal crown! Tell it to tlio dying man, who, restless up(»n his couch, thn-ugh long, wearisome nights, is trying to learn the lessons of submission, and faith, and moral disciidine, which his sulTerings arc teaching, who longs for light to break through the dark clouds that are gathering about him. Hasten with the tidings In tiie bereaved family, and assure them that there is a world where thesG griefs shall he lifted from their ojtpi'essed spirits, and their present afllictions, if rightly im- proved, sliall work out of tliem "a far more exceed- ing and '■•.laiul weight of glory/' h'or wheiv < iod is, there can lo no night. AVlu're bright, holy angels throng, there can be no sorrow. \Vhen> ceh-tial music rolls through th<' -alierie-, and arc1ie< of tem- ples fdled with the v\i> !g. nee o!* the Deitv, there can bo no sighing. Where Jv.-ws reigns in his majesty and glory, " all tears shall he wip'd away.'' No niglit in hcaveni Then no sad ]»artings are experienced there; no funenil processions iiiove, no I 172 Tkc Beautiful Tree of L'fe. death-kncll is heard, no graves are opened. Then no mysterious providences will tliero perplex us, no dark calamiti(>s M'ill shake our faitli; hut Ave shall walk Iho golden streets of tlio eternal city, sur- rounded with perpetual hrightness, hreathing an atmosphere of lieavenly purity, and free to enter the i)alaces of our Kiug or clinih to heights over which no shadow ever passes. Pkace. A rooR lone woman sat one evening, thinking how sad was h(>r condition. She was old and almost helpless, with little of this world's goods which she could call her own. " Who cares for me? " thought she. Suddenly this verso came to her rememhrance: " For wo have not an High Priest which cannot he touched with the feeling of our infirmities." It was like a flood of golden sunshine. Iler douhts and fears were all gone. AVhat need of earthly friends to cheer and sooth her declining years! Jesus knew her every care and sorrow; and he, " the Lord of glory," was touched with the feeling of her infinui- tics. How precious is the thought that wo can all have such a friend in every season of trial and dis- tress! " I will not leave you comforth>ss " are the Saviour's gracious words. " My peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it bo afraid." I The Beautiful Tree of Life. 173 Rksolution. "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttcst thy bottle to him, and malf>v'm:i> hiviNc. went to sec a flyiui,' Ixiy onco, ancl u'k'Ii ln' •iifcrcil (lie room 1m' JusI j)ut liis lianv is no mystery ahout it. AVu love otlxM'-^, we lov(> evei'vhody; wc lovo oUT eueniies l»(>cuiise he first loved us. Takk ]i()j)e from the heart of man, and you make liini ii beast of prey. J.V VE Omxipotknt. 1 SAY to thee, do thou rejieat To the first man thou mayest moot In lan(>, hi,L!:;lnvay, or o[)en street — That ]i(\ and -wo, and all moi, move Un(h>r a canopy of love, Arf broad as tho blue sky above. n 'I III , J id Ti'i " at Meary d« cviA we may ti'' 1. A dreary labyrinth may thread, Through dark wa\< iindcri^n'ouud he led. Yet if wo will nur guide obey, The darkest path, the dreariest way, Shall issue out in heavenly day And we, on divers slmi v cast t^liall meet, our perilou.- i,:;e past, All in our Father's hom*. at last. And ere thou leave him say thou this, Yet one word more: They only miss The winnin<]f of that final bliss, Who will not count it trih> that love. Blessing, not cursing, rules above. And that in it we live and move. And one thing further make him know- That to believe these things are so, This firm faith never to forego, De.>j)ito of all which eenjs at strife With blessing;- and with curses rift — That this /.s blo^-'ng, this is life. 175 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART lANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2, 1.0 I.I 1.25 2.8 1132 I 3.6 840 1.4 12.5 2.2 2.0 .8 1.6 A APPLIED iM^GE Inc ler. New >'->rk 1460' 176 TJie Beautiful Tree of Life. i !. Reflections of God's Love. I HAVE seen almost all the beautiful things God has made; I have enjoyed almost every pleasure that he has planned for man; and yet as I loolc hack I see standing out, above all the life that has gone, four or five short experiences when the love of God reflected itself in some poor imitation, some small act of love of mine, and these seem to bo the things wliich alone of Jill one's life abide. Everytliing else in all our lives is transitory . Every other good is visionary. But the acts of love which no man knows about, or can ever know about — they never fail. In Romans we read: "For all things work together for good to them that love God, to them wlio are called according to his purpose." So when you have crosses, affliction and sorrow and misfortune, remem^ her that all these things " work together for good." I remember when my little cliild was taken with scarlet fever I was verv anxious that the prescription should bo filled carefully, and I went right to the head clerk of a drug store, and he took first a little stulf from one bottle and a little from another, until lie had a lot of diff'erent medicines in one jar; and he stirred thorn all up, and it proved to be the r^rht remedv. So God gives us a little sorrow, and attlic- tion, and misfortune ; it is only a remedy for us. If tilings work against you it is only for your good. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 17: The Way of tifk Ti;axsgressor is Hard. For six thousand years, all alon,!; the stream of time — from Adam's till our own d.iy — Satan has heen at men, binding them hand and foot. That's what he has been doing to some of you. IFe has heen bind- ing you liand and foot until yon can't move from him. Ho commenees, to he sui-c, in a very little way. The bond is so small and ;lclieat(> at lii'st that you miglit blow it away with a breath. Ihit bv and by it becomes a little thread no l:)igger than a spi- der's web — you ean hardly see it. "Oh." you say, "that is nothing; that ean't have any hold on m(>." It grows a little stronger and beeonu's a thread. "I can break that at any time," you say. "I ean snap that whenever I like." But it grous stronger and stronger and stronger, and then you find that you have been taken captive, like Samson, by Satan, and then he laughs at you. Mr. Spurgeon,a number of years ago, made a ])ar- able. Ho thought he had a rigid to make one, and he did it. He said: "Tliere was once a tyrant who ordered one of his subjects into his presence, and ordered him to make a chain. The poor blacksmith — that was his occupation — had to go to work and forge the chain. Wlion it was done ho brought it into the presence of the tyrant, and ]\v wtis ordered to take it aAvay and make it twice the lenjrth. Ho brought it back to the tyrant, and again he was 12 ^;? { 11 178 The Beautiful Tree of Life. or(l(M'c(l lo (loul)lo it. Back he came when ho had (.Lcycd ilu; order, and the tyrant looked at it and tlieu comiHaudcd the servants to bind the man hand and foot M-ith the (diain he liad made and cast him int.) i)ris..n. And," Mr. Bpurnjeon said, " that is what \hr devil does with men. He makes them forge Iheir own ehaiii ;ind tlien 1)inds them iiand and foot with it iiiid I hen ea^ts Ihem into enter darkness." My IVieiid-'. that is jnst wliat these drnnkards, these uaiuhlers. llir-^<' hlasphemers— that is jnst what every sinner is doin--. Bnt thank God, we can tell you of a deliverer. T\w Son of God has power to break every on(^ of tln^^e fetters, if you will only come to TiiK TRrK Comforter. WiiKN a man has trouble the world comes in and says: "Xow, g(>t your mind olf this; go out and breathe the fresh air; plunge deeper into business." What poor adviee! Get your mind off of it! when everything is upturned with the bereavement and everything reminds you of what you have lost. Get ycur mind off of it ! They might as well advise you to stoi) thinking. And you cannot stop thinking in that .lireetion. Take a walk in the fresh air! Why, alonu,- tliaf very street, or that very road, she once ac- companied you. Out of that grass-pl.)t she plucked !!m\v.m.< ,,r into iliat show-window she looked, fascin- ate.!, saying: '-Come see the pictures." Go deeper ''^pt®wis»TOWi»n^ The Comforter. I Bi^H w Iff^ Wt 9«i' M . i^fll m ^^H •^■^^^H 1 ■■ ' I ■;'■ ' fH m ' i m m 179 180 The Btautifnl Tree of Life. into busin. s! Why, she was associalcd with all your business ambition, and since she has .eeu comforted. How was it iace, rest, infinite quiet, so that you could take out the photograpli of the departed one and look into the eyes and the face of the dear one and say: "It is all right; she is better off; I would not call her back. Lord, I tliank thee that thou hast comforted my poor heart." Have Faith. 'Vni: future will clear up luany a mystery. A few months ago I went into the house of one of the loading merchants, whose beloved daughter had been brought home dead from being run down in the public street. The lirst wonl was : ''Tell me now wbv Go,l took awav that girl ? " ^aid I, " my brother, i\ The Beautiful Tree of Life. ISl T have not como hero to interpret (lud's niv.-tcrips. I liavo como here to load you closer to God's lieart. I'x' still, and know that lio who gave takes away. She already knowotii, wliy she is yondiM-; wait till ehnid. an!-(»])lu't of old once had his eyetoucliCMl ;if l)«.than. and he heheld the inonntains round ahont him lillod with chariots and horsi'incn / When von and I work in some great cause of ref'onn. and we have mot with dciiancc and discouragemerd, Avhy, if (Jod were to open the eyes of our faith, and we ronld see the hattle-iield as he (h)es, we would tind all round about us a great army of God's ])roniiscs. assurino- us of inevitable victory — notliing to do with chariots and horsemen — but simply to stand our ground and tight out the battle, and trust that ho will finally clear away the cloud, and the light of his glory shall shine on the bannei- of truth borne over the field; for by and by shall como the last great day of reve- lation, when nothing that is right shall be found to have 1)0011 vanquished, and nothing that is wrong shall be found to liave triumphed. — Pwv. Then. L. Cuyler, D. I). Hope is the child of penitence. Hopj.; is like the sun, which, as we journey to- wards it, casts the shadow (jf our burden behind us. - 182 The Becntfifnl Tree of Life. Have Faith ix God. In time of prosperity, faith in liumun will and self- reliance servo a good purpose. \n tiiiK; of adversity there is no inspiration tocourafro, and hope in storm experiences no anchor, lik(.' faith in God's absolute sovereignty, aiid trust in him who doeth all things, and doeth all things well. "Give to the winds thy fears; Hope, and he undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts tliy tears; God shall lift up thy head. What though thou rulest not! Yet Heaven, and earth, and hell. Proclaim, God sitteth on the throne, And ruleth all things well." Look Out. Young Man! Look at that man in a boat on Niagara River. He is only about a mile from the rapids. A man on the l)ank shouts to him: "Young man, young man, the rapids are not far away; you'd better pull for the shore." "You attend to your own business; I will take care of myself," he replies. On he goes, sitting coollv in his boat. Now he has got a little nearer, and u man from the bank of the river sees his danger and shouts: "Stranger, you'd better pull for the shore; if 3tyc in Siiioof'c ■V «, 1 "^^vmmm^i'fT'Wf^^ .184 The BcauUfnl Tree of Life. you :;■() fiiiilici' yiuril he ](»(> savull for a rock of safety you will l;'o over the precipice. On he goes. T can >ee him in tlu> l)oat lauuhiiiL;' at t lie danger. A man on 1 lie hank is look- iiiii; at him, ami Ic lifts up hi> voice and cries: " tStran,L;'cr, stranger, pull for the shore; if you don't you will Ios(! your lii'c," and the youni;' man lau,<:;hs at liim — mocks him. iiy and hy he says: ''I think T hear the rapids — yes, I hear them roai"," and he seizes his oars and pulls with all his strength, hut the current is too great, and nearer and nearer he is drawn on to that ahyss, until he gives one unearthly scream and ovs, who is always hehiml with her lessons, h;id them this morning quite perfect, and she was so ha[)py that although she got more than 1 did, I was quite glad too." "My dear," said the hap])y mother, "you have fulfilled the apostle's injunction; you have wept witli those that wept, and rejoiced with those that re- joiced." — Rev. Paxton Hood. If all did this, what a 'luii)py world we would have! Do you do your part towards nudcing a happy world? "All who joy would win Must share it — Happiness was horn a twin." — Byron. . j.ini/vm*^tmmmm 186 Tfie Benufifuf. Trro of Jife. A New Heart. And if thoro is within you but tlio fooblcst dosire uftor God, Iktc is his incssago to you: "A new heart will I give you, and a now spirit will I {mi within you. r will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give y<>u a hoar! of flesh." R(!mem- ber, no patching up or repairing of the old Adam will do; \ii\\ must get a new nature. "Ye must be 1 )orn agani. There is a vast amount of precious time lost, a great part indeed of many a man's lifetime thrown away, in vain efforts to got some good out of an un- regencrate heart; to amend the character and life; to do better for tlio future; to turn over a new leaf, without first of all getting a radical change within. If every page of the book is soiled, to what pur- pose is it to turn the leaf? Ah! I have known men spend ten, fifteen, twenty of the best years of their life in this hopeless business, only to give it up in despair; and then they came — just where I would have every unconverted brother here to come — to that Divine and Almighty Saviour who is ready to bless, and who says, "A new heart I will give you." True charity arises from faith in the promise of God, and expects rewards only in a future state. To hope for our recompense in this life is not benefi- cence, but usurv. The Jteiiuli/ul Tire of Life, J.S7 Last Wonns or Bisnor ITaven. Some one, writing a])out tlio hist hours of Bishop Iluvcn, tells us tliat, turning to ono hrothor in the ministry, lio said: " Proiif'h the wliolo gospol, a wlioh) heaven, a whole hell, a \vhol(> Christ." To another he said: "Stand hy the old church.'" To another: " My dear hrother, you and I would not have this so (referring to his (lying), hut God knows best, and it is all right, all right," and then went on to say: "It is so pleasant, so beautiful. It is so delightful dying. The angels are here, (rod lifts me up so in his arms I cannot see the River of Death. There is no river. It is all light. I'm floating away from earth up into Heaven. I'm gliding away into God." He was ever whisper- ing the name of Jesus in the intervals of his conver- sation. "Precious Jesus! Precious Jesus! Blessed Jesus! Blessed Jesus! " Thrice he exclaimed, with holy triumph: "Glory to God in the highest!" The last minister to hid him farewell was an old and lonjx- time friend. "Good night," said the brother, as he turned away. "Good night," said the Bishop, "but when we meet again it will be good morning." We are most like God when we are willing to for- give, but powerful to punish; and admirable is his virtue and praise who, having cause and power to hurt, vet will not. 188 The Beautiful Tree of Life. i\ DriJOENCK. "Not slothful ill hiisiuess; fLTveiit in spirit; scrvin"^ the Lord." — Ri)M. xii. 1 1. A .Mi>'is'j'i:i; oiiet* c.iiiu' uii('X|)('c{('(lly Ix'liiml a ( 'lirisi i;iii of liis act|ii;iiiii;iiicc, wlio was liiisily occu- j»i{'(l ill liis liiisiiic-s ;is ti taiiiici'. He oav(> liiin a ])l('asaiit lap on llif sliMiildcr: llic oood man lodknl bcliiml liiiii, staiicd and said : "Sir, I am a-Iiamcd lliat _v<»n slionld lind me llnl^ rni|ditycd."" He rc- ])li('(l, " I.t't Clirist, wlicn In- comclli. lind inc so do- iiiu^." ^'AVluil!"' said llu' i^ood man, "doinu' lliis?" "•Yes," said Hit' nllior, "faitlil'uliy jici'lMi'mino" the duties of my callino'. \W' ai'o commanded lo \h) 'irilual. subtle recoo- iiilion by whitdi s]iirits know eatdi olhei' e\'erywhere, even as they know and ai'c kn<>\\n instantly of (lod; and llea\i'ii wil! be. in ils siuliN and sounds and oreetings, a great home-gal hering to us win* enter it. — Ui.'hnown. The Ilifiu/ifii/ Tree of Ijfe. ISO ITopK AND PaTTKNCE. Patience is a graco which lionorrf ( uxl. It rests ii[}oii his word. Tf trusts liis power. Ttl)oli('V('s tliat all thinn:s arc woi'kiiiL;- for^-ood, and that ncavcii will iiioro than rc<|iiiic him for all \\\i\ (rial.-, on the w;=y. Tho conncetiou ut, pilgrim of grief, thy tears are numbered. A few nioro aching sighs— a f(>w more gloomy clouds- ^- and tlio eternal sun shall burst on thee, whose radi aiico shall never more bo obscured! Life may be to thee one long "Valley of Baca;" a protracted scene The Beautiful Tree of Life 193 of "weeping." l,„t soon sluUt tho» U..r ll,e s„.op» Enter into the joy of tl.y Lord !" " The Lor! f ■ i ^haU wipe away all tears from o,r„ll itl" ' '""' nu:h!;: ■^\:'^,X'';^^"^ .over they are earnests of overlasL, « '• the" With gospel promise and gospel hope. A Word of AVisdom. An old colored man, long an earnest Christian had been somewhat puzzled and confused bv f lo . tions of a skeptical white man w hTl . ^ I'im with difficulties abo^ ^ ^r p^ ,/;T^"^^ ;ses of Scripture. ^^Jow can tl' b 1 mt^'T kept saying "WpII «•. " -^ .1 ' ^^^ .1 u 1 ^,' ' ^'^' ^'^^^ the o d brothor '< r "^nLX^fTer^;-;:--^^^^^ and found true, and i^t : ^^^7 '1,^7^71 de> ., tuu., and I know ,ny God don't lie. Some f I to 104 TJie PMiutiful Tree of Life. (lay it will all eomo out right. Don't you rememlicr wliar it says, 'What I do you don't know now, but you shall liorcaftcr?' Dat's enough for mo." The scoihr was sih-nccd by the wiser philosophy of one who couM trust. ^^*->*-^: GROWINf} IX (iUACK. Ik 1 could niako oach on<' (d' my reader^ realize how utterly lieljdess we an' in this uuitter of ojrowing. 1 aui eonvuu-ed a lar.iie part of tlic strain would ho taken out of many lives at once. Imao-ine a child pcsscssod of the mououuinia that ho would not grow unless he made s(»m(^ j.ersonal eth.rt after it, and who ;diould insist ujion a coml)iuation of ropes and pul- leys whereby to stretch himself up to the desired heighl. He might, it is true, si)ond his days and years in a weary >train, but after all there would be no change in the ineN(»rahle Hat, " Xo nnui by taking Ihouuht c;m add one cubit unto his stature;"' and his years of labor would b(- only wasted, if they did not really liinder the longed-for end. Ima-ine a lily trying to clothe itself in beautiful colors and graeeful linos, stretching its leaves and stems to nuike them grow, and seeking to manage the clouds and the sunshine, that its needs might be all judiciously supplied! And vet in these two pictures we have, I conceive, only too true a picture of what many Christians are The Beautiful Tree of Life. 195 trying to do, who, knowing they ouligt to grow, and feeling witliin them an instinct that longs for growth, yet think to accomplish it hy toiling and spinnin.r and stretching and straining, and pass their lives in such a round of self-effort as is a weariness to con- template. Grow, dear friends; but grow, I beseech you, in God's way, which is the only effectual way. See to ]t that you are planted in grace, and then let the Divine Husbandman cultivate you in his own way and by his own means. Put yourselves out in the •sunshine of his presence, and let the dew of heaven come down upon you, and see what will come of it Leaves and flowers aniness. I>nt no pursuit can a[)proacli llie delicious sense of j)eaee and the consciousness of (Jod's apju-oval uliiidi come lo lliG messenger of (dnirity, who travels hetween a bountiful store of love and relief and the Immes of the sad and suffering ])oor. The '' ( lod hless you " as you go, the prayers for you as you ])ass, the smile of gratitud*' as you I'each the place, the teai's of thankfulness as you open the stores, the "Amens" of broken hearts as you pray for them ami with them, nuikc a radiant jour- ney of heavenly experiences. To go forth Avilh the prayers of a mother behind you and the dignity and inliuene(^ of the church to sustain you, and seek after the wandei'ing son who has forgotten (lod by forgetting his mother; to lind him uhen lie thinks (!od has forgotten him; to urge him earnestly and in holiest friendshij) to (diang(* his course; then to see him kneeling at the ahar; to see his changed life; then to return with him to his home and to liis mother, and tu liear the cry of joy, so like the former cry of 198 The Beautiful Tire of TJfe. sorrow, but yet so (limriMit. Oli! lliut, that is bless- rdn.ss tho heart can know hut the tongue cannot express. All tho goUl in Nevada's mines coukl not luiy a l)k'ssiiig so ricli as lliat. It is like going from the gleaming tlirono of (ioc'uuty is wautiii.i; to tluMii ihat arc oiulcw.d with it. Virtue is aiuialuo in an a-v.l j.cison, thouf^h wrinkled and deformed, hut vie- is hatrlnl in a ycung person, though eomejy and heaulifnl. Eternal Joy. Hhadku, art thou now one of thr many m. inhcrs of the family of sorrow? !'.«■ c.ndortf d; soon the long night wateh will he (»vc!— I'nin, sickness, weak- ness, weariness. Soon the windows .d" the sotd will ho IK) more darkened. Hoon thou shalt have noth- ing to he delivered from; thy present losses an,, tu^-- '' i "'iliow voiiiifl aliDiit llic lliruiic" (1{»'V. iv. ;{) tliink <>f t ho gladHoiuo icliini (»r (Jdd's iMiisomi'd ours <(» Ziop. — »\<'i-v toar- f j^Mtcn . As some seeds r('(|uiro ofi) <:)rf'\\ In be steeped in Wilier Itel'ore llicy j^orniinate, ^^ , immortal socd (d'ttimes ]\ovv stoopod in tears. ]Uit "tliey lliat sow ii) (ears shall reap in joy." 'riiou<:;]i "\veej)in^" may endure lor llie iiij^lit, "joy conu'lii in tlio morning!" "You aro," says Kullierford, "upon the entry of iloavcn's harvest; (lie losses that I write of aro hut summer sliowors, and (lie sun of the New .lerusalem shall (luieklv drv (lieiii \ip.' The " souij of the night" shall then hleui' with the song of the skies, and inner glorious meanings wil^ ho (ii'*olosed to sight Avhich aro now hidden f om tlie ev" 'f faith. ii ! A CiriLD's Reply. '•llow is it that ye liave no faith?" — Mark iv. 40. It was a heautii'ul I'eply of a (diild when asked, " What is faith? " She answered, " Doing God's will and asking no questions." Then, r(>ader, "How is it that ye have no faith?" T.ovi', is the medicine of all moral evil. By it the world is to be cured of sin. 'W^-j: i llf m I' I I 1 n 202 The Beautiful Tree of Life. A Gkkat Tkmim;iiance Example. It is lUMHlless to sav that often in agony did he hnnont Iho lakin.i; <.!' it iirst ghiss. How easily but for that fould ho have h.'conic self-educated and hon- ored. Now, at last, ragged and broken in body by .U.liriuni tremens, he was walking the streets of A\ or- cester on that Sabbath evening, absolutely liomeless and hopeless! He was thinking— utterly heart-sick as it is possible f.-r men to l>c-of his ruined lifr, when a nand was laid on his shoulder. He was star- tled. Nobody had spoken to liim in a friendly way for months. ''Mr. Gough, 1 believe?" said tlie stranger. "That is mv naiue," he replied, and passed on. -Youhave^been .Irinking to-day," said the kind V()ic(>. "\Vhy . Gough fought the dreadful balih> with app.'lite. Weak, famislied, almost dying, he crawled out into the sunlight; but he had conquered. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 203 Hi f Soon after tliis ho became a Christian, an. (iongli worked iinliringly on both coiilinents. Tliougb lie had swayed brilliant and cr()W American :\Iinistcr, and others nuuh' a.hlresses! Dean Stanley led him through the grand 1,1.1 abb.y. The next moi'ning twenty Dond(.u].apers, .^,),,j,> jj, ^iv (•((luuius. gave an aeeouid. of tiiis gi'eat reception to the great moral hero of his time. The Heauiifal Tree of Life, 205 At Sandirato, wliorc lio ^vc^t to lay tlio cornor-stone of tlio ]\rcin(>i'i;il CollV'O Tav(M']i hcarinui; liis name, the cuthii^iastic' ])('(.)plo removed tlic liorsc^^ from liis carriaj^o and (\vvw it tlirougli tlio streets. \\v was invited to dine at the stately homes where iifty years heforo he had cleaned knives and black(Ml boots. Public banquets were given in his honor. To his own country, each time, he was welcomed back with demonstrations no less hearty. When once asked the secret of his success, he replied: ''Whether I speak to one or to thousands in my audiences, I always try to do my best." Another secret was 1a is throbbing sympathy for humanity. He was deter- mined to win the erring, and therefore succeeded. Truth should be the first lesson of the child and the last aspiration of manhood; for it has been well said that the inquiry of truth, which is the love- making of it, the knowledge of truth, which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth, which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human mi- ture. — Whitticr. That man enjoys a heaven upon earth whose mind moves in charity, rests in providence, and turns upon the poles of truth and wisdom. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace,"- -Pro v. iii. 17 ! i. mk 200 The Beautiful Tree of Life, Rkst in the Lord. Do YOU recollect the delicious sense of rest Avitli which you liuve sometimes jjjone to hed at ni.i;ht, after a (lay of jj;reat exertion and Avenriucss? How deli<;]if- ful ^vas the sensation of relax in j^ every muscle, ami lettin.t^ your hody go in a perfect al)andonment of eas(> and comfort. The strain of the day luid ceased for a few liours at least, and the work of tlie day had heeu laiil oil". You no longer had to liold up an aching head or a weaiy l)ack. You trusted yourself to the bed in an absolute confidence, and it lield you up, without eflbrt, or strain, or even thought, on your part. You rested! But suppose you had doubted the strength or the stabilitv of your bed, and had dreaded eacli moment to find it giving way beneatli you and landing you (HI the floor; could you have rested then? Would not every nuiscle have been strained in a fruitless ef- .ort to hold yourself up, and Avcmld not the weariness have been greater than not to have gone to bed at all? Let this analogy teach you what it means to rest in the Lord. Let your souls lie down upon his sweet will, as vour bodies lie down in your beds at night. Ivclax every strain and lay off every burden. Let yourself go in a perfect abandonment of ease and comfort, sure that when he ludds you uj) yini are per- fectly safe. Your part is simply to rest. His part is to sustain you, and he cannot fail. Hi < SH| A HcsiftU ikenc. 208 The n<' >> One child to mo for aye is given. I looked at John's old garments worn, T thought of all that John had borne Of poverty, and work, and care, AVhieh T, though willing, could not share; I thought of seven mouths to feed. Of seven little children's need, And then of this.— - Come, John," said I, "AVc'll choose among them as they he Asleep"; so walking hand in hand, Dear John and I surveyed our band— Ulrst to the cradle lightly stepped, "T^T^cr and mollicr in straitened circumstances, with seven children, uere offered by a wealthy, hut ehil.Uess neighbor, a comfortable provision, oti condition thai they would gu-e huu one of their children. This l,eaiuifm poetn tells t.ie rcMi.t. , The neantifiil Tire of J/ife. 209 Whore Lilian, the baby, slept. Her damp curls lay like gold alight, ^ glory 'gainst the pillow white; Softly the father stooped to lay His rough hand down in loving way. When dream or whisper made her stir. And huskily he said: "Not her." Wo stooped beside the trundle-bed. And one long ray of lamplight shed Athwart the boyish faces there. In sleep so pitiful and fair. I saw on Jamie's rough, red cheek A tear undried. Ere John could speak, " He's but a baby, too," said I, And kissed him as we hurried by. Pale, patient Robbie's angel face Still in his sleep bore suffering's trace. "No, for a thousand crowns, not him," He whispered, while our eyes were dim. Poor Dick 1 bad Dick I our wayward son- Turbulent, reckless, idle one — Could ho bo spared ? "Nay, ho who gave Bids us befriend him to his grave; Only a mother's heart can be Patient enough for such as he; And so," said John, "I would not dure To send him from her bedside prayer." Then stole we softly up above And knelt by Mary, child of love. 14 ill 210 The Brant if III Tree of Life., " l>(.rlKi].s fni- Ik'I" 'twould better be," T Hiii.l t.. Jolm. (iiiito silently, ir.! lifted n[» a. ciirl tliat lay A<•r..^^lu■^<•lu■.■kiu^vilful^vay, ^^ An.l.lHH.kl.isl.eaa, "Xiiy,love, i.-.ttlxr, TheubiK'iiiy heart beat audib'' v. Only ono, nu.re, our eldest lad, Trnstv and truthful, p;o()d an.l LilaV(/'.s'. Tkt-tu is the beginning of every good thing both in Heaven and <.n eartlr, and he who would be blessed :i happv should be fron. the lirst a iKU-taker of the ,,,h,t dhen.ayliveatruemanaslongaBposs.- ;;;,,;,,,,,,,. .anbetrusted;buthe.snotiole trusted .vho loves v. duntary falsehood, and he w.o loves involuntary falsehood is a fool. LovK is just. Love is more just than justice. ;0 The Brant IJnl Tree of Li r. 211 A Soul at Arcriox. There is a vory good story told of Rowland Hill and Lady Aim Erskino. Voii have seen it, pcrliajis, ill print, but I would like to tell it you. Whil(>* he was preaching in a park in r.ondon fo a largo assoni- Mago, she was passing in lior carriage. 8I10 sai/ Li/r. rt.Tiial lilr.' I.ady Ann Ki>kiiu'. you have licanl the hv.. \>uU\vv< lor your >oul. wlii<'li will you acropt?" An. I slir .•nlfiv("l ilu' ihly .io it for y.>u. The Bcaiitij'ul Tree of Life. 213 A ClIHISTIAN, AFTKR AlL. ,\ (iooi) ^entloiiiaii, wlioso name was William T-ail»l, was at ()]\() tiino thu ]>ri'si Anicricaii Tcaco Society. Kd believed tliat kiiuliu'ss jhhI love eai*- I'ied out, would keep ]ieae(' between neiu'bboi's a^ \V(dl nsb(^twccii ualions. j)ut there bad bicii a iiiiic wlicii bo ^av(3 little tlioUiibt to tins luattcr, and difl not understand it. Tlieii, if a man sii'uck bim a blow, ho, Ix'lieved it was ri,ubt to strike biui back aj^ain, without ])ausin,uj to think it' tbci'e wore not a bolter way of returniiiLi; the blow. And if one did 1 "lUi an injury "he would ,i!;ive iiiin as <;-ood as he garo;" or, as ehildreu say, "would give him tit for tut." I'.ut now b(! hail b'arned better; and this story shows liow Ik* learne(l to be a jx'iicc-maker, and the good that eanio from it. At this time ho live(l ( n a farm, and a })0or man, who ^vas his neighbor, nc.uleeted to keep u[) bis fence, as lie should have done. The conse([Uenee was that this man's sheep got into Mr. ba'ld"s wheat field, anthe sh'cp at ]iom(\ l)Ut the fences wei'e not mended. Tho slieep got into ^Ir. Ladd's field au un, and this made him angrv. "Sam," said ht\''go to tliat fellow ami tell him if be don't keep \i\< sheep out of my lieM, J"U have them shot." If ii 214 Thr BrfiiiUfiil Tree, of Life. T'ut cvrii lliis t l>." '' X((, sir; Imt tlicy arc all tlu' man lias in tlic world, ami 1 don't i'('(d as it' 1 would like to --lioot a [)oor man's slu'cp." "'i'licn llic i>oor man ouulit to take licttcr care (tl' Ihcm. i ,ua\c liini warninL;-; why didn't he mend nis i<'n('c . "Well, sir, 1 j;-u('ss it was Ix'cansc you sent liim !i i-oULih sort (d' mcssajic It nnidc liim mad, and so ]\o -wouldn't do it." " T considci'fd a few miniitfs," said Mr. Ladd, '' and thru 1 told Sam to j.nt the liorsc in tlic l>uo;7(/r;)."— Stv i.a-f'Jll.) 21(5 The Bcdiitifid Tree of Life. " ' Come, come, my neighbor, I have come witli IVieudly leeJ'ug to you, and you must meet nie half way. " Ho saw that I was in earnest, laid down his axe, and viunv to the wagon. '"Now, nciglibor,' said I, * wo have l)oth boon wi'oiig: you neglected your Ibnco, and I got angry and sent you a jwovoking message. Now let us face about and do right. I'll forgive you, you forgive me, and let's shake hands over it.' " lie did not feel quite like giving me his hand, but he let me take it. " ' Now, neighbor,' I said, ' drive your slieop down to my pasture. They shall share with my sheep until nextsi)ring; you shall have all they yield, 'and next summer we shall .start fair.' "His hand no longer lay cold and motionless in mine. He gave mo a warm, friendly grasp, and his eyes filled witli tears as he said : "'1 gue.ss you are a Christian, William Ladd, after all.'" And so Mr. Ladd went home, feeling that he had received the blessing promised to the peace-makers. f4 "I SHALL pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that 1 can do, or any kindness that 1 can show^ to anv human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." TJie .Vudutifiil Tree of JJfe. 217 His Mother's God. A WAYWARD boy in London, whoso mother wn?' vorv anxious for liis palvation, said to h. L. Momhj. "Tf Yk hovi', ^li:, Ki:i:r Mv ro.M>rAXDNri:xTs." TnicuK is nothiiiL!: in \vhieh yonuLi; converts an' more })Vono to err than in Livini;- too mndi sti-ess upon their feeliiiMS, If they have a coiiifortal)lo half- hour in the mornini;-, it atones for a multitude of sin- in the course of the day. Christ says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." — Br. Pdi/snn lo Jil.^ daughter. Do you keep (ioiTs commandments because you love him, or because you feel like it? Suppose you did not feel like it, whnt then ? 'if 218 The Beautiful Tree of Life. The Onp: Thing Needful. Ax old woman of about ei lo the youngest. J^he was a happy Christian, and instead of asking: " Don't you know me?" she ])ut this (picstion: "Don't you know Jesus?" The old woman joyfully responded: "Yes; and I am so glad Jesus knows me." Oh, knowledge of Christ makes up for everything in this dark world. ! 1 T :\iAY i-elat(> a little experience. Tn Philadelphia ;it on(> of our meetings, a drunken man rose up. Till tliat time I had no faith that a druid. L. Moody. *!:(( 1 M ifl^l 1 220 The Beautiful Tree of Life. C'liinsTiAX Charity. 'rino riL;lit, Chrisliau iiiiiul will find its own imivj^o whenever it exists; it will seek for what it lov(>s, and di'aw it out ««t' all dens and eaves, and it will l)elieve in its Ixdn.t;-, ofien avIhmi it cuuiiot sec it, and always tnrn awav its eyes from 1 )olioldi 11.1; vanity ; and so it will lie lovin-ly oxcv all the faults and rou,i;h pbu-es of tlie Lnnian lieai't, as tin; sn(»w of Heaven does over the liard and hlaek and hrokeii mountain rocks, fol- h.win-- their forms truly, and yet catching li-ht for tlifmlo make tlumi fair; and that must he a steep iind unkindly era-' indeed ^vhich it cannot cover. T\\r charity that thinketh no evil trusts in Cod and trusts in men. ]^>ETTi:U THAN' AlL MV Uol'KS. Ill-; was hotter to m(> than ad my ho])es, He was Ix'tt-r than ..11 my fears; Me mad(! a, road of my hroken Avovks, Ami a I'ainhcw rd on their crest; AVhen T 'oimt np all the injury that has been done by that sin. That (.nc sin was like poisoning a fountain, and tlien all tlie water that Hows from it is poisoned too. Tliat one sin has caused all the people ever born into our world to have wicked hearts. That one sin has led to all the sickness and .sor- row, the pain and death, that have been in the worM ever since All the tears that liave been sIhmI. all tl 10 crimes that have been coinmittcd, all the battl cs that have been fought, all the violence and misery that have filled the earth for centuries, may be traced up to that one sin, that first li(\ just as you trace streams up to the fountain from which they jlow. And when we tell a lie now we never can tell where the injury that springs from it will stop. It is just like loosening a great rock at the toj* of a mountain and letting it go rolling and plunging down the side of the mountain. N(»body can tell how far it will go, nor stops rolling how much injury it will do before it Tellintr a lie is like letting a wild beast out of a cage. You can never tell how many people that animal will wouiid or kill before he is til 222 The Beaut ijnl Tree oj Life. caui^lit a.<;ain. Telling a lie is like dropping sparks in powder. It iri sure to make an explosion, and no one eanU'U Ixforehand ho\VTnueli liarin that will do. Tellin<^ a lie is like going out from the plain beaten path into a tangled wood. You never can tell how long it will lake you or how much you must suffer before you get back again. Wise Counsel. An Eastern ])rinco once asked two of his wisest counsellors to Icll him in what way ho could do his people the greatest g(X)d and make them the hap- piest. He gave them two months' time in which to })repare their answers. At the end of that time these wise men {i])p(vired before the prince. One of them came bearing on his shoulder a great roll of papyrus leaves, which wei-e used in that country instead of ])a[)er. On these ho had written out two hundred rules to show what he thought the prince ought to do to make his ]>eople hap[)y. The second came with notlii!ig in liis hand, ])ut with a wise thought in his h( ail. Tlie reading of the two hundred rules was very tirc^somo to the prince. After hearing them he called uitoii the other counsellor for his advice. He gave it in two short words: "Love God." "AVhat do you mean? " said the prince. " I asked you to tell me, not what I was to do for God, but what I should do for my people to make them most ha{)[>y." The Beautiful Tree of Life. •223 «< '^n* True/' said the wise man, "but loving God sn- promely will scciiru tlu> liiglicst liappincss l.otli to yourself and T'.il)!*' teaches when it savs: "Love is the fulfdVuxj ,if the lawr My Grace is Sufficient fo- Thick \v it is a great relief to a sorrow-bufdciicd heart to vent its sorrow in the presence of one who is pos- sessed of a large, loving, and synijiathizing heart, even when he can do little or nothing to help, how much more should it be to spread out our sorrow be- fore him whose pity is equalled by his power, who is both infinitelv able and willing to do exceedinir abundantly for us above what Ave ask or think! If he does not see fit to remove the burden vet, he can render our strength equal to bear it. If the thorn is not taken away, yet the promise may be made good. " My grace is suificient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness! " Ifow jften has it been proved that the sorrow that has riven the heart has but cleft a way for the enti'aiice of that word that giveth light. The farther down the ploughshare of sorrow has gone, and the deeper the furrows made in the heart, the m re deeply bedded has been the precious seed and the more al)undant the future harvest. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." k(\ 224 Tht' Jiididij'nf 'in", of L'iJ<'- HoNJ;>iv IS TiiK Bkst Toltcy. AVttev th.' Isn,olit(-s ^v.M•o pursued hy tho Egyp- tians lu-avtl,. IJod Son, you mno.nl.T. (loci caused the cloud, M-l.irh l>ad suidod them l-v dav. to go and .tand l)otw..n lluMii and ll.-ir en.-nu.'S l>y niglit. That cloud liMd two sides, T1h« sid.- to^vards ll.e Isra- elites ^vas vorv In'iul.t, Av1,il.> the side towards tlu' Kovptians ^vas very dark. And it is just so ^vlth most of 1li<^ illustrations we iind on tins part ot our subject W.^ ••MH hardly ever see the injury that ly- ing docs, without, at the same time, seeing tho good that is done 1)V telling the truth. Two bovs came at an early hour to a country nnir- ket-town." Thrv spread out th.ir little stands, and lastmelon lay on Harry s stand. A gentleman caii.o hy, and phicing his hand on it, said, ''Whal a line large melon! 1 think I mu^i buy it. AVhat do you a-k for it, my boy?" > The" midon is the last I have, sir, and th.aigh it looks very fair, there is an unsound spot on the other ^ide," -aid the boy, turning it over. - So there is," said the man, '' 1 think I 11 not take it. But," he added, looking in the boy's face, " is it The Ptnuitijitl Trw. nf fjfr •22.1 <) lllH .Mil till' (Icfccfs nf VdUI- vci-y liiisiiicss-likc ^^Oods to CllStoillcl's ; " Porlia2)3 not, sir, but it's better than bein., Jis- Jxonest," said the boy, modestly. "Yon are right, ray boy; always remember to speak tlie truth, and you will find favor with God and man. You have nolhing else that I wish (his morning, but I sliall not forget your little stand in the future." Then, turning to Ben Wilson's stand, he asked, " Are those oysters fresh . ' " Yes, sir, fresh this morning," was the reply. The gentleman bought them and went away. " Harry, what a fool you were to show the gentle- man that spot in the melon! Now you can take U home for your pains, or throw it away. IIow much wiser I was about those stale oysters; sold them at the same price as the fresh ones. ITe would never have looked at the melon till he got home." " Ben, I wouldn't tell a lie, or act one either for twice the money we've l^otli earned to-day. Besides, T shall be l)etter off in the end, for I have gained a customer, and you have lost one." And so it ])roved; for the next day the gentleman bouglit a large supply of fruit from Harry, but lie never spent another penny at Ben's stand. So it continued all through the summer. At the close of the season he look Harry into his store, and, after awhil(>, gave liim a share in the Itusin.css. 15 «:(< i 226 The Ikaatljal Tree of Life. FaITIII'ULNESS. Wk for^^et that thcro uro no small thin^^s; that lifo is u school ill whic-h every ^vol•k, overy duty, every opportunitv, however insi-nifieant it may seem to us ut the moment, is a lesson; the learning' or the neg- lect of which means just so much loss or ^^ani m eharacter. The man who is laithful in each days work stores up in himself each iuii- httwei-n tlie rul»s. A caiii- tal hav-dav; hut a " ^|u■ll of wcatlirr "' nii^ht he ex- peeted soon; for did not tlie almanac say, "Ahoutthis time look out for storms?"' So all hands were warned to he in rea wall, was sleeping' I lie sleep of the just, while his uood wife pattered aiiout the kitchen setting her sponge, heating uj) some *' riz griddle cakes'' for breakfast, grinlt-"l iiiulli ;i\\:iy iVnin i lie ihiii.ijcr Mils 11:1111. ■ lliat nisr'iiiiilr.l hitii. A .■li;iniiiii.LC l>ictnrf, ,,u( iiM (.11- In look ill it; lor tin" t;i-<:it Nur\v;iy pino hrld up ;i .-civ.'ii of solid l)ltickiit— L.twcu tlir wiii- tiv.-s llcUy! evil eyes nre iunkinH; nt voii: cNcs tVnin wliii'h even a lic;itlifii iii<-llicr mouM cover \>air I;!-- wiili li-r liaiids, and bivallf a |.i':iyor (() lircak llu' iinliMly ^|M■H lli-y iiii.Lilit ees iioliiin.LiJait tln^ (roul.lesome dress; ;in.l :h 11m' perplexiu,!^ lullles aro (•,aii|Uefed one hy OIK' her lieart,uTowsli,u-lit,11ie little frown smoothes away, aial Hetty Ix-ins to sin.u'. ^Vhat a sweet Voice she ha across his eye-; and lliat watcher in the -iven t.,,i_n.l(> — who eaii ,i!;ness what she thinks or feels as slie sink.- dow ii Avitli lar rhin upon lii'i' hand-, md licr face cpiite in the dark, and li-ieiis to the pathetic ?tory of "The Ninety an.d Nine"? Ilotty herself is H i HP W iri! \ 230 Thr r>r(i\ilif>il Tnp of Life not half conscious of the pathos with which she be- wails tlio lost one, ■ ..'Way on the mountains bleak and bare, Awa'v fiom (he tender Shepherd's care," nnd [IOCS on through tho tender fc^tory to the final re- joicin- when tho Sheidierd brings back liis own. She is still humining it fitfully over and over when her niolher opens th near by, until ricuben comes Avhistling ab)ng the road, nnd, boydike, stops to shy a stone at the tempting white mark on the garden- fence; the prowler leaps away with long bounds over the wet grass, and a tragedy is averted, with nothing to show for it but dirty tracks upon the piece of "fae- torv" spread out to bleach. I'y and by there is a little stir in the lilac jungle; a woman comes cau- tiously out of her hiding, and steals away to the barn. The cows are lying here and there under the long shed, sleeping, perhaps, in a cow's uneasy lasli- The Beautiful Tree oj Life. 231 ion, but with a certain air of motherlincss and con- tent about them. They do not even wonder at the h\tc comer as she threads her way among them, en- tors the barn, mounts the scaffoUI already well filled with the sweet new hay, and is soon asleep, hearing now and then a broken twitter from the restless swal- lows under the eaves, or perchance a faint sweet voice sin,o;ing, with lingering pity in its tone, "Sick, and wounded, and ready to die." Who can tell when the summer day begins? One instant a dusky silence, cool, moist and fragrant, hanging over the hills; the next a burst of song from some tree-top, caught u}) from a hundred green cov- erts, swelled and repeated and prolonged in a mad chorus that presently settles again into silence. Then the slow stir of life awakening, the bustle among the poultry, the lowing of some impatient cow, or the steady sound of her companions nipping the short juicy grass, the unwilling creak of a rlieumatic pump- handle, and here and there tin- dull thud of an im- provident ax preparing the kindling for the kitchen fire. The day was well under way in Silas Rogers's household before the majority of his neighbors had reached this point. The cows were milked and turned into the green lane to make their own way to the pasture, the steady "c-r-r-r-r" of the grindstone and the sharp ring of steel told that the moments before breakfast Were being made the most of, and 232 The Beautiful Tree of Life. even at table tlicre wore few words spoken, and no useless lincjeriiig. But after breakfast Silas Roger ; took down tlio Icatlier-rovcred Bible tliat bad beei: his old mother's daily cr)nipanion for eij^dity years and nil the family sat reverently down to worship. The golden nioincnts might speed as they would, but no day in that lionschold began without its portion from the liiblc It miglit. liavc been a lingering re- eolleetion of 1 Ictty's song; it might have been one of those eelestial ]>i'oviden('es wliicli we call ehancOj which led him to read from th(^ gospels the story of the wandering sheep and the lost ])iece of silver. It is doubtful if iiny of them were very deeply touched by it. It was a familiar story to the good wife, and she could not ke(^}) her thoughts from straying anx- iously to the loaves rising perilously in the pans, while Hetty glanced at tlie clock and secretly hoped her father had not chanced u[)on a long cha]»ter. The reading came abruptly to an end with the hea- venly rejoicing over one sinner lliat repenteth, tmd with an earnest thougli homely prayer the service was ended. Aimer and lieuben almost stumbled over a woman sitting absorbed in the doorway. Hilas looked at her, but did not stay to (piestion; and when they were gone she rose an woman to a chair, with a hrief " Set u[) and up-stairs and fetch a big apron and one of vour sweeping eai»s, and then you may get at your sewinir und sei' if vou can linish up your dress." Away went Hi'tty, her light heart bounding with the um^xiu'cteil release, and lier mother tiirne(l again to the woman, furnished her with a coarse towel ami sent her to the washdiouse for a thorough puriiiea- The Beautiful Tree of Life. 237 tioii. Iliilf an lionr afterwards, with lior hair hidden in th(! mu.slin cap, her whole figure enveloped in tlie clean calico apron, a comely woman was silently en- gaged in household tasks, doing her work with such rapid skill that the critical housewife drew a sigh of relief. "There's a han'ful of towels and coarse clothes left from the ironing; you might put the irons on, >rary, and smooth 'em out." The woman turned a startled face upon her, and then went quickly for the clothes, hut something- was it a tear? — rolled down the swarthy cheek, and mingled with the hright drops she sp'inklcd over thciii. When had she ever been called >rary? AVJien had she heard any name hut Moll? Xot since away among New Hampshire hills a pale woman had laid lier hand upon tlu^ tangled curls of her little daugh- ter and prayed that from the strange world to which she was speeding she might l)e allowed to watch over these wayward feet lest they should go astray. ITad sh(> M-atched? Did she know? Moll hoped not; it made le r shudd(>r to think of it. AVhat Mould Tlc^a- ven he worth if she could see and know? and yet, what did she hear nhout joy in Heaven over one sin- ner that repented? If there was joy it must he that they knew; or perhaps only good news was carried there. That night Hetty sang again at her sewing by tlie lump, and from the attic window, far above her head, Ml 'J38 The Jieautifnl T,re of Life. the wanderer leaned out into the dark to listen. The little chamber w;i< bare of ornament; tlicrt' was not a pictnrc on the cleanly whitewashed walls, and the straight curtail! was for decency, not dra[)ery; but it seemed to this lost one a very chaml)er of peace. The great X<»r\vay pine almost brushed her cheek with its resinous plumes, balmy with the moist night air, and a bird, hiiMeii somewhere among its branches, sent out a startled, half-awake cry, and then dropped orF to sleep again. There was a pale young moon low ill the western sky, with black clouds scudding across it, and the dull, steady sound of the river, ])ouring over the great dam in the valley, seemed to come nearer and nearer, like the tramp of feet. Martha iJogers went out to the milk-room and stood for a moment in the door, shading the fiiekeving can- dle in her hand. She was only taking a housewifely observation n})on the gathering storm, but it seemed to the -wanderer that she might well bo the woman who bad lighted a candle to search for the lost piece of silver, and with a dim comprehension of love on earth and joy in Heaven she trietl to ])ray and fell asleep. Silas Tiogei-s listened to the day's story as lu^ sat mending a ])it of harness with clumsy fingers. He may be forgiven if his thoughts sometimes wandered to the hay so fortunately secured from the storm, or ran over the grist to be sent to tlie mill in the morn- ing if it proved u wet day, or speculated curiously ou The Beautiful Tire ,,/ Life. 23S) the snporhnman knowledge of iiliii,iii;,c moii; hut, on llio whole, ho was tolerably att.ulive, nn.l cer- tainly grasped tho idea tlmt Lis wile liad secured a valuable and mueh-needed bcljier. "It seems a risk to nin," >.;iid ^birflui anxiously; "aiid I don't know but it's ].iv,-unii)tuous; there's Hetty, and there's JJeuben— " ''And there's tho Lord," said Silas, stopping to open his knife. "Yes," said :\rartha with a lillle stall, "ai.d I can't quite got rid of what sli(> said about tin; i.ioee that was lost; though, to be sure, the woman that lost it ought to hunt it." "She never does; folks are always losing things for somebody else to find; 'tain't many of 'em e:m say, 'those that thou hast given me have I kept,' right straight alomc." " Bui if you lose your own piece looking after other folks'—" Silas cut off his waxed end and gave the harness an experimental pull before he answered. ''Well, there's risks, as you say, but I'd rather take a risk for tho Lord tlian agiiT him." Martha Kogers took the risk for tlu- Lord, and he abundantly justided and rewarded Iwv faiih. For the piece that was lost becomes w;/ piece to the heart that finds it andlays it again in the >[astci's baud; and locking tho story of the wanderer in her <.wn breast it was only to tho angels she said, " Rejoice with me." 210 The. Bcaall/ul Tree of IJfe. P I If Arc! wl.rn, vcarn afterwar.l, llu> woinun licrsclf sai! And tlit n look at the quiet, low-lyin^ valleys. They represent humility. And see how beautiful tliey are in their greenness and fertility! The hij^di- ( st brandies of tho vine or tree rej)resent j)ridc. You find no fruit on them. The low ])ranehes rej)- resent humility. These you will find bending down with the load of rich, ripe fruit that hangs upon them. X farmer went with his son into tlu! wheat-field to i^eo if it was ready for tho harvest. " See, father," »/ 7 7 said the boy, " how straight those stem.« hold up their heads! They must be tho best ones. Those that hang down their heads, as if tin y were ashamed, can't be good for much, I'm sure." The farmer plucked a stalk of each kind, and said, ''Look liere, foolish child. This stalk that stood up so straight is liglit-headed, and almost good for not! - ing; while this that hung its head so modestly is full of the most beautiful grain." The love of home is strong, and the love of coun- try is strong, but the love of God is supreme, and fertilizes and vitalizes all other loves. Where there is no hope there can be no endeavor. 16 fr \ ; i .~.^^. ■' I i^^i y42 The Bcaufiful Tree of Life. Bo Good ttnto All. No ono ever did sn miicli j^mod in nur world as* .Tosns. Tli(> ]'»iM.' Idls n^ Ihat hv " /'' nt sboidd iiy to ho like Josus in this rcspoct. AVc must learn t.. l..vc Cod, and sIk.w our Icvc to him by livin-r in l(»ve with our friends and nci,u-b- bors. AVluMi a bnildinLT is on fire the best thing we can do is to try and put it out. Anut moral truth is diviiuN and whosoever breathes its air and walks by its light has found the lost paradise. Truth, indeed, came once into the world with her Divine blaster, and was a perfect shape most glorious to look on. hi T/ic Croini i,f norm. ij Hi AHH , i BMBaanMH ,1 IWtfl ; t if '4H b4 _J 211 The Beautiful Tree of Life Oir. liow great is the power of truth! which cf its cwu ])(.\vcr <-an easily (h-fend itself a.tjjainst ail th.; ingenuity and eunnin.*; and wisdom of men, and a.uainst the treacherous plots of all the world. The lirmcst and nohlest around on which people can live is truth; tlic real with the real; a --round on which nothing is assumed. To love truth for truth's saki' is the principal part of huiinin perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of ;dl other virtues. The evrms of all truth lie in the soul, and when the ripe moment comes, the truth within answers to the fact witlK.ut as th(> llower responds to the sun, uivinc: it form for heat and color for liixht. ', ;. Pray Withoit CKAsiNCr. SoMK ministers were once discussing how the com- mand to "pray without ceasing " coidd he kept. One of them was ;ipi»ointed to write an es'-^ay upon it to he read at the next meeting. A servant who heard this exclaimed: "What! a whole month waiting to tell the meaning of that text? Tt is one of the easiest and hest texts in tln^ r.ihle." '•' Well, well," said an old minister, "let's heai' how y(»u understand it. Can you pray all the tinu'. >hary?" " (-)h yes, sir." "What! when you have so many things to do?" " Why, sir, the more 1 liave to do the more I cau pray." " Indeed! W^dl, Mary, let us hear how that The Beautiful Tree of Life. 245 is, for most people think otherwise." "Well, sir," said the (jii'l, "when T first open my eyes in lli*^ morninL!; I lirtiy, Lord, ••itcn tlie eyes of my under- standin.ii;; and while T am di'cssing I i)ray that 1 iiuiy 1)(^ clothed with tlic rohe of righteousness; and when 1 wasli me 1 a>k for the washing:; of reu'eneral ion ; and as 1 he,uin AVord; aud as I aiu husy with the little ehildrcMi I look uj* to (Jod as my l'\ither, and i)ray that 1 may he his child: and so on through the day. Kverythin.u' I do furnishes me with a thought for jirayer." 41 V 'ft Hi N-'l| . Wk Shall Know K.uh Ottier There. Heaven is not a. stately, formal ]»lace, as I some- (iuTes h(»ar it descrihed, a vei-y frigidity of splendor, where peoph^ staud on cold fonualitie< and go arouud ;d)out \y\\\i hca\y ci'owns of gold on the'.r heads. No, that is not uiy id( a of Heaven. My idea of Heaven is moi'e like this: You are seateoace is its companion, safety walks in its steps, victory follows in its train; it is the briglitest emanation from the gospel, it \)\ the attribute of God. Always leave the home with loving words, for thev may be the last. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 24: Resting upon God. ''They ask inc if I can trust," said one stricken })y a heavy l)low. '"I do not know. I search my licart, hut — no, I am afraid I do not even trust." Then came one wiser tlian them all, hor white-haired pastor. " Dear child," he said, '' you lie here ([uietly on this bed. You are not afraid of fallin,^? You think the bed is strong?" "Yes." "You think the floor is strong, the foundations of the house firm. You do not stop to <|uestion about it. You lie down. Just so your soul may be resting upon God, though you are not conscious of an act of trust." ii ^'<{ A Lesson in Iiumility A Washington lady recently tried co impress upon her little girl the evil of personal vanity by drawing a picture of a human heart v, ith a ]:)eacoek in it. "Mamma, what does that mean?" (juerird ihe little one. "My child, it means when you have your new- hat and dress on, and go to church tliinking how line and ])retty you look, there is sonu'thing ugly in your heart that is like this gorgeous bird, which is all fine feathers and nothing else. Its voici is a dreadful screech; it can't sing or say anything nice to anybody, only admire itself and strut about." The little girl's face grew very thoughtful. She was evidently taking in the lesson for future reference, an 248 The Beautiful Tree of Life. the result proved. For on Sunday morning papa appeared in a new suit of clothes, and lie hitched about here and there before the dressinfij table, care- fully noting how it fitted at every point. ^leanwhile mamma had on her spring suit, with a nice now bon- net, and she spent much time before the glass pur- ting the finishing touches to her elegant toilet. The little girl, equally fresh and presentable, paid no at- tention to her n(>w finery, but watched her parents from the vantage-ground of her little rocking chair. Finally, just as they were ready to start for church, the little one look ad up innocently and said: " Mamma, haven't you and papa got a peacock in your hearts this morning? I felt mine coming, and I just said, ' Go away, bad bird, you can't come in here to-day. I'm going to church! ' " — 3Irs. E. L. Sherwood. What Shall I Bring? Some people want to know what they shall bring when they come to Christ. They bring prayers, and tears, and i)roNiises, and faith. These are all well enough in their place, but when a man starts to come to Christ, the only thing he wants to take with him is his sins. Are you a sinner? Then come to Chrisi and bring your sins along with you, for they are the only things you have which the Lord wants. Let me illustrate this. I have a little boy over on the West Side, and wo will suppose when I go home to- J^ ■j I Urn \ W^ f^^^ ' ^.-r •'■■,.>' -''-J-. l\- '1' \ ^ FaUJ{fui Friend. ;! 1 if 1 ill S'.|! 1 ,■ ) H li II 250 The Beautiful Tree of Life. niglit I find out by liis mother that ho has been tell iiig a lie. Of (•(»urse I am greatly a'oiiblcd. The little fellow conies umJ climbs up into my lap, tells me how much he loves me, but that isn't what I want. F>oraebo(ly has given him a nice present, and ho brings it and offers to give it to me. Xo, T don't Avant that, either. The only thing that I want him to bring me is that lie. Let him come to me and say, "Papa, I told a lie; I own it and am sorry for it." That would make me liappier than anything else. Just so it is with the TiOrd. The reason why so many of you can't come t*; liim is because you can't bring your sins with you; you try ^o hide them away somewhere. Ala.s f(»r a man who from a child lias kLcivn the Holy Scrii)lu)es, nnd now is growing old and has not become wise unto salvation! Alas for a man "who can bear, lik(! Atlas, ilie burdens of the world's affairs in the maturity of his strength and liis wisdom, and who is neglecting to bo wise unto salvation 1 Ah ! if I speak to any one such per.son, in middle life or growing old, might I persuade him to say this day, out of an honest and humble heart, "0 Jesus, o{ whom my mother taught me in my childhood, take me now to be thine T' Ir is better to s\dfer wrong tlian to o sonuMimes cheated ilian not to trust. ;u m... The Beautiful Tree of Life. 251 Hold on to God. T PREACH to you not aloiio out of my faith in tho Word of God, but out of my own dcopoHt experience, when 1 say that it is good in times of joy, and even hotter in times of sorrow, to draw near unto (Jod. He i:^ a strongliohh He is a tower. He is tlie shadow of a great rock in a weary, suUry summer. He is a shiehl and a l)uekh'r. No good tiling will lie with- hold from those that fear him. His love is more than al] ])()ssession, more than all honor, more than all case. It is everything, and it brings everything. Trust in God. Do not give up your fathers' faith in God. Do not worry or fret yourself if you have a tirm faith Hold on to God, and everything will ulti- mately come right. K you do not know it here, it Mill be revealed to you in the glory of your Father's kingdom. A GENTLEMAN onco asked a defif and dumb bov, "What is truth?" He rephed by taking a piece of vlialk and drawing on the blackboard a straight lim* between two })oints. Then he asked him, "What is a lie?" The boy rubbed out the straight line, and drew a zig-zag (or crooked line) between the same two points. Remember this. He that doeth tho will of God as faithfully as he can shall be given strength with which to do it better. 252 Tlic Bcautijid Tree of Lijc, I : God's Pkack. Who shall .separate us from Clirist's love ? " For 1 am persuaded that neither deatli nor life, neither angels nor jn'ineipalities nor j)o\vers, neither thinjis present iioi' lliin<;s to come, neither hei'^ht nor depth, nor any oilier creature, shall he al)le to separate (is from tlie lo\(' of (iod, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." When we are in trouhle, let us take fast hold upon that L;reat tliought, that trouhle does not divide us from th(^ love of (Jod. Yea, (lod's peace can eon- (juer trouhle, ;ind ])eace of (Iod, which passeth all understand- ing, shall guai'd your hearts and your thoughts in (dirist Jesus." TiiK true grenfness and the true hai)piness of a <'Ounlry consists in wisdom; in that enlarged and comprehensive^ wisdom which includes education, knowl(Mlge, religKUi, virtue, freedom, with every in- Jhn^nco which ;id\-ances and every institution whicii supports them. He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, hut rejoices for those which he has. The Bennt'ijul Tree of Life. 2.^.S A T.rrTi.i: r>()Y's Faitit. "Blot out my transgressions." — I's. H. i. " AccoRDiNc, unto tlio niultitudc of thy tender nicr- I'ic'S ])lot out our transjrrcssions," A little boy was onc(.^ nuicli |iuz/.l('(l jiltout sins l)einnj blottcMl out, and said, " T cannut tliink wliat becomes of all the sins (lod foi\i:'ives, mother."' "AVhv, Cliarlie, can you tell me where are all the (igures you wrote on your slate yesterday?" " I washed them all out, mother." " And where are they, then ? " "AVhy, tliey are nowliere; they aie ^one," said Charliel "Just so it is with the believer's sins; they are fjone — blotted out — nunendx'red no more. 'As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transo-rcssious from us.' " ' Mi II COMMUNTOX r,v F.MTir. How beautiful is the belief of man's immortality! The dead aliv(! again and for<'Ver. " b.arth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," is only spoken over the body when eonsicjned to "the house appointecl for all the living." Not such tlie re(iuiem of tiie sonl. .V refrain of immortality i oncdudes earth's history and announces eternity's beginning. '•'Not lost, but ffone before." Sucdi is the cherished and beautiful ■ 'If 5 If I* gpF^ 1^54 The neavtiful Tree of life. faitli of mail ii. all a^cs and lands; u iiicro glimmcr- iii i)ui -iiit of infinite good. To whom are these thoughts strange and dulT^ Who has no treasure in Heaven — well-remen.. oered forms, hallowed by separation and distance — stars of hope illumining with ever increasing beauty life's utmost horizon? What family circle has remained The ncautifnl Tree of Life. 255 unbrokoii — no oiiiply chair, no clR-rislied i. ucn- tos— voices and footsteps rotiirnir.jjj no inoi — no meniltcrs trans for reel to the illiinital)le lieyond? Wliei'u is lie who has stood nnhurt amid the ehill blasts that liave blighted mortal hopes and witliered mortal loves? Alas ! the steps of deatb ai(> evn-y- wliere; Ir voice nuirniurin rest and weei), our hearts riven ^vith memories of the loved and lost, and yet hope springing eternal from earth's mausoleums to penetrate and possess the future. Heaven is ours, for is it not occupied b nir dead? Tfeaven and eartb lay near together in the mytbs of the ancients; and shall it be otherwise in the insti- tutions of Cbristianry? We need faith. Our paths are surrounded by the departed, our assemblies mul- (iplied by tlu ir presence, our lives bettered by their ministries. From b<'!i(>;ab light sbadows we look forwarrl into tlie ap, ■ diing day; and while we gaze the beams . tie morning spread light and lovelines.s over ne ea h. Tt is not otherwise, as from beneath the nii. •(' line' we peer anxiously after the pure day of Ileav. Faith pen< tral. s the veil and bids the invisible stand disclosrd, while its magic wand wakens into life Ibrms well known, but holier a.. I lovelier far tluui we knew thom here. Such thoughts make us 2'n The nmutifnl Tree of Life. better, purer, <,n'iitler. Wo eunnot keep society with llio .sjiinted deiul, ainl with llio irnat God in wIjdso l»rcseii('e llicy dwell, without feelin^r .^ \u)h\vv lij'o t!irol)l)iii^^ Ihrouo-li us. They dr.iw us iipward. We .UT')\v h'ss earthly, uioi'e heaveuly, aud (iod-like asj)!- rations come (o us ms we wander alon^ tlio border l;'ud whei'e dwell the saluted dead. Too little do ^" • -f'ck sueh e(iniinuuiu,i;s. Our time is so absorlu'd with perishahle aud uusat isfyin,ii: lorius of o-ood; and so we lose Ihc iuiaij,c of the heavenly aud n-i-ow car- nal. The heauty of our life facbs, an left to hanker after passing- shadows and unsubstantial dreams. Let us tear away ofteuer fi'oiu these earthly nioorin,n;s; let us walk more steadily in the li_n]it ,,r celestial eonii)anionshi|.. and so attain to the true aud the j^^ood, as they have attained who roam the bills of immortality. ''They dwell with tlue — the dead; Tavilionc^il in auroral tents of light; Their sj)here- df le'avenly influence 'round thee spread, Their pure transparence veiling them fiom sight, Angelic ministers of love and peace, Whose sweet solicitudes will never cease." Communion by faith with the immortals cannot fail to strengthen us for the stern conflicts of life. At once this earthly existence is seen in its true light; the opening of a day that shall never close: tlio The Beautiful Tree of Life. 257 pprinrr.timo of n year tlmt '..'ill know no eiul; tlic initial dnptor in u volunio mIioso records sliall liud no final i)ayo nor incident. When life is thns truly gauged, wo learn to place a i)roi.cr estimate npon it's I'assing ])onii)S and i)leasures, and wo grow less sen- sitive to the M'.rld's smiles and frowns; more earcfi;] to seek after the eternal good. Tho oxamplo of tl:- sainted dead, who toiled and endured till tiny nov.- reign, affects ns; and wo feel strong for liko conflicis and ready for ecpud lahors, till in ns, too, tho mortal shall put on tho immortal. Divine ties spring up and last forever, binding tho heart to tlie goodTthe beautiful, tho true, and making it strong for tho work and 'rials of life. And communion with tho dead, whom we have known and loved on earth, will make IFeaven more real and attractive to us; dissipating tho vagueness of tho notion with which it is too often regarded; begetting within us abiding attachments for celestial seats. God, who created tho world and whoso ])rovi- denco is everywhere visible in promoting our wel- fare, is there: and Jesus, who died for us and with whom we liave grown familiar in his earthly history; and tho Holy Spirit, the sanctifier of tho church,' whose gentle influences we have felt within us. And our friends are there— changeless, loving spirits now, yet with lineam<>nts familiar and forms well rememl)ered. The homes of tho blest are no longer vag'iG, indistinct, poorly defined. Vv'o see them-* 17 li t I li t i,-*i 258 The Beautiful Tree of Life. the hoiiulifiil cily, Ww outlined hills of immortality, the on-flowin«2: river iuiiii:i.i> lived in au old-fashioned farm-house. It had a roof hiph in tlie luiddle, sloping, one side (if it to the IVi-nt, the other to llio hack. It was painted white; and hero and th(M-e, in summer, a Ib.lel in New York. Their greatest and)ition was to have their son gro\/ up to be good and wise, and to be a true gentleman. One anlumn, la(e in Xovemlx'r, when the loft in the ]»arn was jdled full of fodder for |1,,. animals, and (he ("liar of the house was well s(oi-edwi(h ve<'-e- le in tho clean, (dicory kitchen. The father said, as he broke open a sniokingdiot baked potato: " Mannna, I've been thinkinff that I 1i The Beautiful Tree of Life. 261 h i' Avill go to my old home in Connecticut to visit my dear father and mother once more and attend to some business that needs mv care." "You liave worked hard all tlie season, and a rest and visit would do you good," answered Mrs. Bell. "Ralph and I will stay here and take good care while you are gone." "I wish I could take you both with mo. I can't bear to leave you behind." " Oh, do take us all, papal" said Ivalpli. " AVho would take care of the folks that live in the stable, and of all your j)ets, the hens and ducks? Besides, times are so hard that papa can't afford money to take us on a journey this year," said the mother. '' There is something I would like to do while I am East, mamma; but as it is a matter which so much concerns you, you shall have the veto power if you do not like my plan. It is that I go to New York and bring lionie with mo a boy from the Cliil- (h'cn's Aid Society. I think that, working under my cyr, he could be a great help to me. lie would make more care for you, Init you could train him to do a great deal for you about the house." "Oil, what a jolly plan, papa!" exclaimed Ralph. " lie can help me do my work, too, and play with me when we get through with it." j bnd IK) doubt lliat vou would vote for the nlan. llalpb. So will I." said tbe mother. "It will bo a i il'i! 2(12 Till' Pxaiil'ii'iil Ti'd ,. Inr ns lu'lj, is '•"iitvnicl. i;(,-i,lr>, it nil] uivc us .-i \v;iy i:i wliidi "" '1" ■"">i"' .i;<»«"I- I liavc ol'ini thuu-lil, wlicu ivad- '",U "'' <'"■ < liiMivn's Aid Society, 1 hat I wciild likr "111' (if its waifs to liriii-' up in our lionic We should cnii-idcr hiiu oui- jirivjitc lui.-siouarv ^I'ound."" A low \vook< al't.M' this toa-lnhlc talk I^ifinci- 15.. II ^''"'''■'1 I''"' <'oiiii(cli<'Ut. When ihrou-h with his vi.Ht and his Imihuo^s ho woiit t.. Xow Voi'k. and so- '•■''''''' '''"'ii '!'<■ many hoys iinxions to no Wc^t one '" h-dxc homo with liim. He \v;i^ thiiMocn years ..Id, Iwo yoai's ol.l.T th.in K'nl^di, st I'.Ui- aii.l h.^althv. with •■111 iiUrlli-vnt ImiI \-ory soImt la.-.'. H.. wa-^- an oi'- l''i'ii>- '''ii'l liii'l I'lit a i'ow <];iys holoiv nni lor rcl'uoi. '" the s.x'ioty tV.im a miscralil.' homo. .la.-k Ilui-ns. '"!■ ^''''i' ^vas the laihs namo, ha. I n.\-.T hoon lai' out "I Now ^'ol•k. an.l iho jiMinxy iV.im thouco to Wis- consin was t.) him th.' nx.st w.^iilcrful jonruov tliat '■vcr wa- kn..wn. Th.. .'it i.^s, ih.^ villa-c-. the liclds, ih.' |.(!'o-i-, th.' hill-, ma. I.' on.' loii^ ouchantinn- j.ano- I'ama for the hoy. His surpfiscs aial cmciit 1.. Mi\ I'.oll, ■\' thocn.loj tlii> journey w.a- th.- rarmdion-.. that has h.vn .l.-.Tilx d. Tlie o;r<)uii.l was .da.! in a li-ht spi-ea.l hocii a linr; but it rlon't soein as if f uould." "You ilou't knou', liulpli. Your lifohasno doubt bccu cntii'cly (liin.Tent from Jack's. T liavo little doubt lliat lie lias in vai'ious way; liccu trained to b'll lic<. W'c will find out wliat his circumstances ]i;i\-c been. < lo io llic bam, my son, and fell Jack that your mullicr wanfs liim to come in the house and get warm. M^ be se(>ms afraid to come, tell him that lio will not be hurt by me or your papa. T can speak for papa, yo' know." Hal] .in to the barn, and standing at the foot of the sti , calleilcdieerily: " Halloo, Jack! come down. Motlu r ays come in the house and get warm." For a minute or two there was no .sound. Presently Ja(dc came to the head of the stairs and said gloom- ily: "I suppose you've fold ; and I'm afraid." "Jack, my mother says no one shall hurt you." " ]>ut, lialph, how does she know about your father, and he gone to the village?" " ]\ry mother always speaks the truth; and when she promises for papa, he always keeps her word." "That's very (pu'er, Ralph. 1 never heard of such a thing in New York." " Never mind; you ain't in New York. You're out West; and you live with folks that don't i)ound chil- dren to make 'em good, ^fy father don't thrash his horses, let alone l»oys. Come on, Jack, and don't b(? ufraid." The Beautiful Tree of Life. 267 Jack, thus assured of his safety, caiiK^ down the stairs, and walked up through the patli in the snow. Ills hands in liis pockets, and Ids cap (h-awn down low over his face, rialph led the Wiiy, - 'astling to cheer Hm' hoy hehind him. They entered the house and hung up their caps according to law. AViicn ^[rs. Bell saw the tear-stained face and tlio dusty clothes, she said kindly, "Jack, go up to your room, wash your face and hands, and hrusli your hair and clothes." 'I'Ih' hoy oheyed. It was one of the wonders of his new home — tluit wash-stand in his room, with its white l)()wl and pitcher and soap; its hair-hrush and coinh, tooth-hrush and clothes hroom; the rack he- side it furnished always with two towels, a soft white one for the face, and a large hrown one for hathing. It was reipiired that all these things should he used. >rrs. Bell was right in thinking that apparatus very ncccssary in the cultivation of her missionary ground. •lack lingered in his room. After a while he camo • lown-stairs and seated himself near the stove. Pres- ently Mrs. Bell said, "I am hasting work now, and that don't make any noise, so we can talk. Jack, w can hear you tell us about your life in New York. ^\y. Bell learned little more from the Society than this: that you are an orphan and have fared sadly in the world." This was very gently spoken hy ^Irs. Bell. She continued: " Do you remember your parents, my boy?" m 208 The B'^nvilful Tree of Life. "No, ma'am; no iih»ii "u if I M' V( v hinl liiul any. It's just llio Siiino almost us if i m y>v Ji.iil Ji.i'l muv, nnly T kecj) always tltiiikiiiLj altoiit lli' m aii'l WMudcr- iiij:; liow they look. Al'irr (Ikv wcr dead I \vas takf'U l)y my aunt lu live with licv. When 1 was oM ('ii(tu,u;li, slio used to tell ]i\o. that my fallicr anoke these words her eyes were full of tc^ars. Jack looked at her with astonish meiit. "Why do you look so surprised? " asked Mi's. ]>cll. " Be<-aus(\ Tua'am, T nev(M' saw anyhody cry formo before." " Poor (diild! Did you not li\(' Ioul;' with }our kind aunt?" "No, ma'am; she die(l when I was a '■' • iellow. It was all the ^ood time I ever liad, wlusi I li\ ; d with luu". After she Avas dead I kept on stayinii^ v. ilh my uncle. He was a rouL;h man and used to drink harch lie ^ot auotlier wife and she was xcvy bad to me. Then my uncle jjot to b(> a ^reat (h'al Avorsc. All the time T was afraid of them both. A\'o , for I used to li 'I'he J^rauti/ul Tire oj Lif'\ 200 ,«,n-t (Ircadfiil u'hij i)iim- vcrv >i'tiii wlicii I broiiuht iionic only )i litllc. Suiiu'tiiiie.s 1 lu Ic up ;ilio, an tiuu- so Mid." "Wby didn you uu away?" .t-ked llalpb. " I did li i\- once; but my uih'I" Ibund nu' and wbi|t[>ed lue awiully ami balf star\cd me. 1 didn't dai-<' try a^ain. At last my uncle ^ot sicdv and died. Tben I said to myself, ' 1 won't -tay bere and !»<' tliis woman's .-lave any more.' Sbe ne\'er went mucii about the city, and 1 tbou^bt sbe'd never find me; so I I'aii away to tbe ('liildreii's Aid Society." "How bad you beard of tbat, .Ia(dv?" asked Mrs. Bell. "I often used to bear tbe newsboys an.,.]1 <.ontlv, "your story h.s pained my heart. But nou' 'vou need not bo afraid any mon.. Do you moan to ke.p on toll- ing Ju's? '' Oh, lua'aiu! I'd like to stoj. if I can " "If you can! ^\hy do vou sav (hat'^" " Seems Fm like Kalph'sslod: When it starts to .Uo dou-n hd you can't stop it. I'vo ho.m ^oin,. down hill so lon^;." ■ _ -Suppose T should say to you, 'Jack, if vo.i uill ;■> <'■'<• .vcur stop tellin.v thhikiu.o- about (he fa'rm .nd the moncv, an loves us and u-anfs to ..,v,. ,. ■" v our sins, M-ill mve to •ill u-ni • / u,> ln„n A.i. 1 • ^^^c TO all, ^MU gjvo („ 7/0,/, this jieart AsJc iimi earncstlv for if tt mi • ''^ ^'^'*"- ourseh .. He gives us the s„n.l,i„„, ,i„, ,,,;„ , ' lie"-, lie must so«- tl,o s,,.,ls ,„„] „..,,,, ' " noous. ^0", .'•■ick, must walcli „..Miii-ti,nt,.,„i .1 \ must 1,0 your gre.t «-.,rk ■' -"'> ">""""': th.t Mrrn'"' "■■' '" "■■■'"■'' '■'■-'■ ■■'"""•■ ^'" -x -if.., '■If you pruy for, I,.. l,,v,.,,f,n,,h,.u,lf-,,,. strength Ave can always l.oIi(.ve." " '""' At tJ.ose words Jack's f^.eosuadenlv lit up wuh joy. But soon a sliadow passed over it .nd mournfullv "Bi,f ... \ .. ' ' '"' '^'^J'^ tier eyes u,th her I,,u,l, „iul „as silent r„r awUil. 272 TJiG Beautiful Tree of Life. " I liiivo bcoii tliiukinj; of ti plan, and if you will follow it, (loiiii; just what I tell you, we can ])olieve you even before you become a perfectly truthful boy." A half jtuzzlcd, half amused expression came over Jack's face. "That's very queer, Mrs. Bell," said he. " How could you? " " Listen while I tell you. Sometimes you nuiy for- ^^ot to watch, and you may say things that are not true. Then, if you will be a brave l)oy, and confess your wrong at once, we shall soon be abh^ to (lc[)end upon you. l)Ut sometimes, perhaps, you will 1)0 a coward. At the moment you have told an untruth you will not say, 'That was a lie.' Then, my boy, come afterward and confess it. Now you know my plan. AVill you i)romise to follow it?" ''I promise you with all my heart I'll try. And if T do," he said, looking u[) wistfully, "can you all lov(; me some?" "Certainly W(> shall; and we do love you now. Whiit is far better, the dear Lord loves you, and will help you." Now comi's, by nuvisure, the smallest part, but in importam-e by far the greatest part, of this story. After all ^L's. Bell's pity and kindness; after her true teaching; after her wise and ])leasant plans, did Jack go right on being a liar? or did he begin at once to pray and watch that ho might become a truthful fj The Jh'diilijiil Tree of JJfe. 273 \['\iV ilie long talk. wIkmi night had como and the boys lijid gone up to tiuir rooms to go to bed, Mr. and "Mr^ I'cll, sitting by tho lire, lieard Jack besido liis store-pi|)u ab»vc ])i'aying: "Please, Lord, make my heart hato lies and love truth." It was not the only time he was heard oil'ering that prayer. It was two or three days after that. A violent snow- storm was raging. At alxnit dark ot' the short winter afternoon Jack came in from the barn. He was heard in the entry using the broom vigorously. Presently lie came into the kitchen, sat down and took off his boots. It was a rule of the house that the noisy boots should come off wIumi all work was done that needed them, and slippers be put on. A pleasant rule it was, particularly to Jack, who thought it something won- derful to wear and to own a 2)air of s1ipi)ers. As he wrs stooping down that evening to , at them on, Mr. Bell asked if ho had watered the cows. After an in- stant's pause he answered briskly, ''Yes, sir." He sat down by the stove to get warm. Presently he covered his face with his hands, and exclaimed in a hurried, distressed tone: " I told n Ih; I didn't water the cows! " Before any one had time to .^poak ho rushed into tlio entry, put on his boots, and dashed through the snow to the barn. Returning to the house, ho went directly up-stairs to his room. j\Ir. Bell, understanding the bov's feel- ings, said, " Ralph, dear, take up Jack's slippers to 18 274 Tlie Beautiful Tree of Life. I nim." And said >[rs. Boll, "Stay with him till i ring the hell for supper." The (lo(.r at the foot of (he stairs was open, and Jaek Avas heard sayin,^, " 1 can't jxo down-stairs to- night. I'm so ashamed." "But you kept the promise you made to mother, and tohl the (I'ulh t there. All the events of your life are working to- gether for this end. You may not be able to see how this can be, but his eyes are clearer than yours. He sees tlio end from the beginning. If, therefore, you T^-' •" The Beautiful Tree of Life. 277 cannot praise liini for this " fiory trial," don't mur- mur — !)(> (Inm1>, and open not your moutli, becauso ]i(' ]ins done it. lie Mill uiirf(>ct peaee; Till the long years end at last, And he too at length has passed From the sorrows and the fears, From the anguish and the tears. From the desolate distress Of this world's great loneliness, From its withering and its blight, From the shadows of its night. Into God's pure sunshine bi-ight. I DO not know Avhat I may ap])e;ir lo the worle, but to myself I seem to have been oidy like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and divei-ting myself in now an I then finding a smootlnr iMblde ■,{• a pret- tier shell than or^jinaiy, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before Uie. — Imac Neivton, fi- ll iM' 27S The Bcavfiful Tree of Life. Have Charity. When Abraham sat at liis tent door, according to Ins custom, \s-aitin^r (,, ,.,,t,.rtaiii stran-prs, l.o ospiod Mil old mail, stoopin^r a,i,l l(,,niii- ..n ],is stair, Mcaiy with a-o ami travail, comiii^^ towar, anr- prayed not, nor heo-ovd tor a hlossin;r on his meat, ho asked him Avhy lie did not worshij. the Cod of Heaven. Tl„> old man told him that he worshiped tho firo only, and a(knowled,ired no „(her (lod. M which answer Abraham ^rew s.. zealouslv anorv that ho thrust tho old man out of his tent, and exposed him to all tbe evils of the nio-ht, and an uniruarded condition. When the old man was o-,,,,,- (lud called to Abraham, and asked him where the stranoer was Ho rei.lied, 'M thrust him away because lio'did not worship thee." God answered him, - I liavo suflTered Jnm these hundred years althougli he dishonored mo; and couldst not thou endure him one night? " No man can allord to invest his being in anything lower than faith, liope, love— tliese three, the great- est of which is love. Truth is as impossible to be soile.l bv anv oufuarc toucb as the sunb(>am, Pi .Ihriiliitiii. 11 f : ! ' 1 '; li^ I i ■ 1 -a 280 The Bmuliful Trn' of Life, Truk .lov. To banish sorrow's tear, to spcik a kind "Word <(> jlic friendless and lo \'rvi\ The Imn-rv, Jift lli(. Ijiljeii, and tu jitid Tlie 1iiii(. most spcnf in -iviii-- lu .d, In love, lo ail sncli as aiv in distress, Herein is ti'iie joy niiderstuod, And tlion niade it nlj,d_'|die ^[„unt (d" Happiness Is only «,^ainod in doini,^ ,uo()d. "Jov CoMKTir Tx Tin: Morning." PsAI.M \x\-. :;. SoRKOw is roprosentod l.y Die Psahnist as only a lodger for u night, to ])e succeeded l.y joy at the snn- rising. This is a f nil liful j.ieture of i,i*o>l frequent cxperienc(-s; it is full of c.nd'ort f.. (lod's people, and it points on to the glorious dawn of Heaven's eternal (lay, when the night-watch of lifi; is over. Sorrow is often the precursor of joy: sometimes it is so needful, that nidess we endure the one we cannot have the other. Some of ns have known what it is to have severe sickness ]o(ig(^ in our l.odily t(-nt, when every nerve hecanie a toriueutor and every muscle a highway lor j.aiu to course (.v( r. AVe lav on our heds eoii<|Uei'ed and heljdess. r.ut the longest nigid has its dawn. At Im-fh vo- finning health began to steal in upon us, like the earliest ^deumsof morning light through the window The Beautiful Tree of Life. 281 shuttors. Never did food tasto so delicious as tlio first meal of wliidi we partook at ..iir own (al)l(". Never did (he siinlH-ains fall so sweet aii, " lie giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." When outward things look darkest the peace of God is often fidlest in the soul. The Lord gives his people "songs in the night." They rejoice in the midst of >orrow. When the thorn is piercing their song is sweetest, their joy is fullest. So, reader, let it be with you. If trials press sorely on every side, carry them to your Heavenly Father and yet mingle your })ray(>rs with praises. The Lord will command his loviiig-kiiid- ness in the daytime, and in the night his song sliall be with you. 11 m .I'll I ill 2S2 The TU'dulifnl Tree of Liie. TiT75 ]\r aster's Joy. Tt is ;i ])l('!isin,L!; siii;lit to see, sometimos, a youthful iiiid jiliiiost jdiiyful s[)ii'it even in old i\<^o. Al)ovo all, it ir' l)c;nifiriil in sec the , he u'oes down nifo the valloy of tlio shadow and leases a ti'ail of tiiorv. a liu;>;oriniX ra- diaiic<\ hehind. '•The hoary head is aci'owiiof glory if it he found in the way of riij;hteousiicss." And thus diadeiiieil \\ith gloi'v and with hoauty, the weary saint is welconieil with tlu^ Master's " AWdl donol" and en- ters into the ^Taster's iov. No p1ea-ure is comparable to the standing upon the vantaii't'-ui'onnd of truth. 284 The Beautiful Tree of Life. Cart your Burdens ox the Lord. Most Chri.s it come into our dreams? Do thoughts of it often lift our souls as the titles lift up the seas? Do wo fool that ovei'y otlni- i-esideuco is a tent, but iroaven is our mansion; that we go to every other place because wo viust, but are stretching ourselves to be in Heaven >M :t- ( 2Sf', The JMUutifnl Tree of Life. i»cc;uisc we i(">iihl' Arc we li-avciily-inindod and ]ic;iv.'iily-li(';r.-;'/dr If ,0, wv shall he at jiome in irc'uvcii. It may Ix' so sweet, so dclicidus, so satis- factory, s',' rullilliii^, as to (■((iiic ill sudden and suit- lime eonli'asl with all our pi'evious experiei!:' j. hi this sense it may, toi- a hrief season, he staiiliiin; and soniewhai slraniic; hut if we have heeii spii-itually- niinded on earth each new moment in Heaven will hrino- us the rullillment (d' some hope, (.!• the comple- tion. Ill sliout< of lau.Lihti'i, of some soll^• whi(di we hair with the hord? Is Hot our present life a part of "forever''? Il How with the Lord — if oin- eommnnioii he with him — if we are learnini;- his wavs and walkino- in h:.; companioji'-hip hei'e, and are to !),■ learninsj; liis w i\-r and walkinu' in ids eom|>ani nship in Ileiv :i, whv should we not he at home in Ih'aven? The angels come down ti* eaiih. Thev have their mission of ministry. Their duties pr<»hahlv take them, somelinies, into places where thev feel verv stranu'e: luit there must he other pots amid the cir- cunislances ol whieii even angels must feel verv much at home. Wdiero a family is coiiseci'ated to (umI — where peiiect love prevails — where .h'sus reijiiiis — where the J'^alher's will is done on earth as it is in IIea\-en, ohi surely there thi> good angels must .'1.1 leel at iiouie. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 28 < How blessed is tlie work of tlieuiiyels and the men who arc striving more niul more to make earth hke Heaven, so that the denizens of the one shall bo the citizens of the other! A Lesson for Motiieks. "Mother," said a little girl, "does God ever scold?" She had seen her mother, under circumstances of strong provocation, lose her temper and give way to the impulse of passion; and ponderinii- thoughtfully for a moment she asked: "Mother, does God ever scold?" The question was so abrupt and startling that it arrested the mother's attention almost v.-itli a shock, and she said: "AVliy, my child, what makes you ask such a question? " '• Because, mothei-, you liave always told me that God was good, and tliat we should try and be like him; and I should like to know if he ever scolds." " Xo, my child; of course not." "Well, I'm glad ho doesn't, for scolding always hurts me, even if I feel I have done wrong ; and it doesn't seem to me that I could love God verv inucli if ho scolded." Tlie mother felt rebuked before her simple child. Never before had slie heard so forcible a lecture on the evils of scolding. Tlie words of tlie child sank deep in her heart, and she turned away from the in- m jSfl 288 Hie Batntifiil Tree of Life. 't i i nofont face of the little one to hide the tears that <;athcrc(l to lu^r eyes. Children are quick observers; and the child, seeinLi: ^he effect of her words, eagerly inquired: ''Why do you cry, mother? AVas it naughty for me to say what I said?" "No, Miy child, it wms all right. I was only think- ing that 1 might hayc sj)oken more kindly, and not haye hurt y(.ur feelings hy speaking so hastily, and in anger, as 1 did." ''Oh, mothei', you are good and kind; only I wish there were not so nuiny had things to make you fi-et and talk as you did jnst now. It makes me feel away from you, so fai', as if T could not come near you, iis I eoultl when you speak kindly. And oh, somelinies I fear I shall l)e put off so far I can never get hack again." "Xo, my child, don't say that," said the mother, unahl(> to keep haek her tears, as she felt how her tones had repelled her little om.' froni her heart; and the child, wondering what so affected lier parent, hut intuitively feeling it was a case requiring sympathy, reached uj), and throwing Tier arms about her moth- er's iK^ek, whisp(>red: "AFodiei-, dear mother, do I make you cry? Do you lov(^ me?" " yes! I love you more than I can tell," said the parent, clasping the little one to her bosom; "and I will try never to scold again, but if I have to reprove ill! Li'l :? 'li Mi 'Nif J iii 1 miM 4 . i 1 200 The Beautiful Tree of Life. my cliild I will try to do it, not in iin.<;or, but kindly, dcH'ply as I may be ui-ievcd that she lias done \vi-onn\" " O r am so , is often a nieb lowness and childlikeness whicdi are wonderfully beautiful, and a benig-nancy of as[)eet and expi'es- sion Avhi(di is irresistil)le; ])ut he is weaneil in gfeat measure from the world, and is heai'keninu' for the footsteps of his beloved ^[astcr, as ojie who has readied a point of transition and must stand ready for the change. Thy peace shall be in much patience. The Beautiful Tree of Life. 29] Trup: Comfort. One of tlic great comforts of the Christian is that God understands him fully, whether he ran explain liis troubles or not. Sometimes I think all ..f a sud- •I'u that I do not love the Savieiir at all, and am ready to belicvo that my pretended anxictv to serve him has been l.ut a matter of feeling and n„t of principh.; but of late I have },een less disturbed by this imagination, as I llnd. it extends to earthly friends who are dear to mc; as my own soul. I thought once yesterday that I didn't love anybody 111 the M-orld, and was perfectly wretched in conse- quence. The Power or Faith. No process of reasoning can soothe a mother's ompty, aching heart, or bring Christ into it to fill up all that great waste roo.i. Ihit faith can. And faith IS his gift; a gift to be won by prayer — prayer per- sistent, patient, determined; prayer "that will take no denial; prayer that, if it goes away one day unsatis- fied, keeps on saying, - Well, there's to-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-moi-row; God may wait to 1)0 gra- cious, and I can wait to receive, but receive I must and will." This is what the Bibh^ means when it says, ''The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force." It does not say the eager, the impatient, take it by force, but the viJ- - fits ' '^ d V 202 Thr Ihniififiil Tree nf TJfc lent — llicy wlio dcclai'f. " I will iiot Id tlicc Lio o.\c'«'j)t tliMii l.Icss inc."' This is iill licarl, not Inad woik. I'd r kiKiwuhat I am lalkiii^- aKnut ? Yes, I do. I'll! my iiidllccl is of iki use to iiic wlicii my licart is Iircakiiiu, I mn-t ud dow n .ai my knees and own (liat I am le-- ihrni ]i(itliIiio-; j^,.(.|< (lod iiot jov; cnn- -y tlu' Infinite nnnd. And so, on that faith, I ven- ture myself, and fe(d as safe as a cdiild may fe(d who liolds his fatijcr's luind. A WISE man will always he a Christian, l)Ocauso tlic perfection of wisdom is to know wlierc lies trtin- (|uillity cif mind and h<• nf Jjfr. 293 O.sr: of 111,' iiK.st fatnl tliin--^ in tlic lifi" of fintli is () not afraid, iiciilioi- l.c thou dis- mayed:" "Only lie thou sli'~^- And it is also the reason he savs to ii<, " he' not yoiii- heart he ti'onhle.l. ii,'ith,i- l,.t it !.,■ alVaid." Tlio power of temptation is in the faintini: of onr own lieai-ts. Satan knows this well, and he alwav-' hen;iiis his assaults hy discouraging us, if he can in any way accomplish it. . . . I remember once hearing an allegoiy that illus- trate(l this to me wondei'fnlly. Satan called together a council of his servants to consult how lliev nduht make a goo,l man sin. One ,'\il spirit sfarte(l up and said, ''I will make him sin."' '' How will yon do it?" asked Satan. "F will set hefore him thr pleasures of sin," was the re])ly; "I will h^ll him (d' its delights and the rich rewards it hrings." "Ah !" said Satan, "that will not do; he has tried i(,anl knows better than that." Then another spirit stai!.- 1 u]. and said, '' \ will make him sin." "Wiiatwii; you do?" asked Satan. " I will tell him of the paiaa I 204 The Beautiful Tree of TJfr,. aiiil ^jrrows - iin... I ill show him that viriiio lias n«> 4^>li(rhis a, ' I'liiij^s ii<, j-cwm- ^ • "A],^ no!" oxrklmt'd Hatan, " that Avill not (h. .,. „ for li.. ],j,s Iricl it, fUHl knows (hat 'wisdom's wavs ,/,< uavs ..f ploa-iulitlness and nil her pallis arc jx-acc' " • Well," said 'Mxoihir inii). (.» "»'»!<<' I'iiii Mil ••Aii.l what will voii do?" Mskc^i Satan, a<,^ain. "J will discotini<;o liis soul," was the short n-|)ly. -Ah, that will d..!" cried Salan, "IJiat Will >\' iiitMi, r llUVi- ]r;irm' smoothed away, slumher hung n])oii the eyelids, and the whole eoun- tenaneo regained in deatli what toil and anxiety iml eager aspiration hail loi'n I'rom if in life. V>u\ i ,■ transfiguration wrought u])on the face of ago has l)Oon oven moi'e marked ainl heantii'ul. and, liki' th clearing away ju'ofonnd meaning of the hlessed declaration, "There remainetli a rest foi- tla^ people of (!od." And this is the nndouhted truth which gilds the closing days of tln^ aged saint, liest is at hand, and "peace which ])asseth all understanding." Love is ever the l)(\uinning of knowledge. Love !.-; the life of the soul. It is th(^ harmonv of the uni- verse. t r mm J si 206 rr T/ic JU a It! If III Tiue of Life ](>y '■r.KIIol.I., I I'.KTN.i V(.,r floOD Tr D] \( ;s. ' " I>i:ii<'i.ii, I l.iiii-- y(.;i M(,M(1 ti(]ill^s of (^-reat j( uhifli shall l.c In all [..■..i.Ir." V,mi rcmeiiibrr how, ,.,I j,, j,,.;,y i'uy J.cacc. Yoil ••""'I'l n..( -o iii(,, a <'Iuir h 1)ut you wouM licai- (lie cry --oiu- up. •• I\.;,c,., peace." 'n c.yory lioiuo wImtc then' was a family allar Um ]u-aycr was "rcaeo." That's jusi what Ave all waul. Xow, these aiiu-els have told these sliepli(>ri'iu-- peacr. "(Ilury to(;o(liuthe ]iii;-]iest, aud ou earlh peace, eoo,l-will towarss! There is no irno pea.'e. Irue joy, till he cmuh-- iuj,, our ]i(>arls. We <-au uuf l,ave it uules.-^ he has (Mitered our soul:^. We have in this t..\| tlieau- ii'»uuc(Mueut Ihat this o-ifi i^: ready foi-u~; llieivlhn Jt i.s _u-oo, ])eae(>; " and men, women, and children, too, eanie^ from thcii' lioines and took up the cry, and it e(dioe(l t]';<.ngli {\u- rjtv. The cannon were booming, and thr bdls w< iv lim.-. ing, and all New York Wiis inll of tli.^ joy of tlint peace, it was what tlie people wished. The w.ir was over, peace was brought, and the Knglish nrmy was withdrawn, ami wo ha/'o//.ve// Alrntf. Trnlh illuminates and gives Joy; and it is hv the h.ond of joy, not of pleasure, that men's spirits are indissoluhly held. The Christian man shonld he awake to tlio dutv of makiiig the mo clogged. T said to one of tlioiii, "l)oiri vou know- that fJod is not going lo l>lcss vonr cliurch a< long as this ([uarrcl is going on? Now, 1 wonld like vou to go t() that other man and say, 'If yon tliink I have (h>no vou an injustice. 1 want vou to foi'Liive mo."' "Well,'' said lie, '• J don't know tliat T eaii jtut it ill tliat way. I fear T am a little to hlame, and I don't think ho would receive me.'" The otlicr man said tlio same thing, hut T just reasoned with them and got them togotlier, ami tliey wore soon down on tlioir knees, asking God to hless the (diurcli. It w;is pride that kept tlio>e two men se[)ai-;ile an now see thai many (diild- ish thoughts were foolish. Things arc phiin which 300 The Jlamfiful Tire of JJfe. sorely puz/.lod us. >[ystcrios havo vnnishorl. AVo Ii;iv(> oiifoTowii j(A-s, sorrows, lio})os, iiiul fears. A\'c ]iave ]»iit away cliildisli lliiiigs. So the soul will \n\i nway llic 11iiiio,s of its childhood. It will uudci'slaii.l tilings uow hiddou. Tlio lioiug of (iod, \\w, work of Ww Spirit, and the joy of ircavcn, will uo longer he veiled and darke]ied. Tlien, face to face "it will know llie full enjoyinenf of (lod and of Heaven." ''Wlial 1 do (said tlie Savioui'), thou knowest not Jiow, ])Ut th(Mi shalt know hereafter." This is the ( 'hi-istian's hope. It is Ids comfort in the time of trial, ll stivn-tlieiis him against teni].- tatiou. Tho world uiay he dark, hut he looks luyoud. iris life may ho a l)attle witli evil, hut he so(>s vic- tory and its reward. His way may he hedged and I'ouuh, hut lie journeys to a sur(^ place — 'Mo a land of which llie Lord hath said, T will give thee." Our Saviour, for the joy that was set hefore him, endured the cross, dcs])isiiig tlie slianie. So his f illowei's, in the ]io])e of Heaven, hiar tlieir Iturih'us. eouuiinti: it M joy that they are allowed to sulh'r with him. hnhelievei's may douht the value of this comfort and strength. They may ask us to demonstrate it and j.rove its value hy iigures, as luen prove eartldy good. So We may ask a child to ])i-ove its father's love, <.r dcmonsli-ate the mUui'c of its faith in him. ^^ '■ ha\i' no just rouception of Heaven. No more has a little child a lru<' iay, we know iu whom wo bo- The neautifnl Tree of Life. noi lieve. We know (hat (lod is true. \Vu know Uiat if " verv seed to sow. Let me say ri,i,dit here, (hat i<:,noraneo of what (hey sowed will make no dinerenco in the reaping'. It wonld not do for a man to say, " 1 didn't know iiu( what it was wheat I was sowinu'. when r sowed tares." That makes no dill'erence. If T u'o ont and sr)w fares, (hinkin,:;' i( is wheat, T'v(> got to gather tares all the same. That is a nniversal law. If a man learns tlie eari)enter's trade, h(> don't expect to he a. watchmaker; he expects (o he a car- ])enter. The man who goes to college and s(ndies hard expects to reap for those long yeai's of (oil and labor. Tt is the same in the spiritual world. What- ii •' m 302 The Beautiful Tree of TJfe. s.H'V,.rni„nnorna(ion sous, lu. ;,n.l flicv n.u.t reap ''"■,'"■'''""■"' ^'""^ ^^"' '■'"""■• ■^'•■■' ^"'"v ^'"olislilv <'"."l^ '-•! '.^ uinkin- at sin in.u-a- lavs', an. I isn't ^••m;^ !,. (an.i.I, sin Jurans,. 1h. .Iocs not oxocufo Lis .l-li:^nH.ntss,H.,..lilv; l.ul 1... nol.I.n.ivo,]; Clod is not ""-i«-i; m.hI w],also,.v<.r a man sou-,.(l,, that sl.all ''"■'■"■■'''• ' "•••■"l'l"f"rtl.o<,. vonn-ni,.n wlio Lnm]. '" ".r''*^'"'- ^^•"^•■"•"1 -='y. -I am sowing n.vwil.l ;"|r- ^""' '"'^■'■-"' '"'■'•ni'llH.M. Tliorearoson... '"■'""'*■'"•• "•'^^- '''^'Pin.u- th.ni ul.o onlv a fm- vars 'i^o WMV s(.,tiin^ in II,. same way. Tlu- richn-an ;■'"• <^>'-<-'' Inxurionsly. ul.il,. t],. poor num sat at iHs ,U-af(., a.Hl tlu. .h.ns ,,,n... an.I ]i,.k>il,i;., ],ut iCy '"'"'""' " '<• ^- ""<■ I'V.'HMl l.v. I think there is '""• l'^>s. 1 iH.y thought they had covemi up A J'roiiii^^r It/ Ilmaftt, ■Mi !i ^ 304 Thr rirauHfuJ Trn- of fjfr tli( \v sin, iiiMl llicif fjiIlK r never would lind (;nl wlnit Hicy li;i.| done Willi .l(.H>|di. And tlie ,,ld ni;in innnnied hini Ini' twenty lonu' ye;ii'--. Ilul ;M l;i-l, "''''•' ■'" llicse years had ^niie, awa\- down in MuAiij, Hm'IV .lrES think wo give a totally difTerent moan- ing to the word love when it is associated with God from what we so well understand in its human ap- plication. But if ever human love was tender, and self-sacriticing and devote(l; if ever it could bear and forbear; if ever it could suffer gladly for its loved ones; if ever it was willing to pour itself out in a lavish abandonment for the comfort or pleasure of its objects; then infinitely more is divine love ten- der, and self-sacrificing, and devoted, and glad to 20 SOP) The Bcautijul Tree of Life. b(>jir and forbear, and lo suH'cr, and i-* lavisli its lu'st ci' ^ifts and l.l(>ssiii_us iipcii tlic (,l,j,.<-ls of ils Jove. Put l<..i;cllicr all 111., lend. Tot lov yoii kiM.w cf, dcnr rofidcr, tlic d.( pest y..ii Iuivcm'vci- '"clt, and tln.stn.n^- ost that li;is ever Ixcii jx.iircd out ii|M,n y..ii, ;ind licai) upon it all til., love of ;dl (Ju, 1m\ ii,^ Iiinnan licarls in tin' W(.r]d, and linn ninltiply it l.y iidinit v, mid yon will Ix'niu p.-rliaps to liuvo sonic fiint / life. Ili:i.i' ()m: Anothku. I I'lTV from tliP ,|,.|,tlis n\- iny Jjcart that ('hristiuii wlio raii't iiclj) ills hn.tlicr to o])tairi salvalioii. llr I'lls .IS to enter liis viii.vaid an.! work f<.r liini. 1 remember I had a j.ieturc that I thought a -real .h-al ol. It uasofa woman eoniin;; up out of the Avater, witli hoth liands aroiiml thi; cross. T thounl,t it -was h«aiitiliil. r.iit one (hiy I was ii,(>iu<^ alonir j]i,. street ;in was. I didn't tldnk much of llio lirst ]dcturo tlien. 1 tliouuht it was like a good many Clirislians. They liad hoth arms ti^ditly chispod Jirouml tlie cross, and -iavc no assistance to tliose struggling around them. If the Son of Cod pulls you out of the pit of at things the Lord lia.s done for VOU. AVisDOM consistcth not in knowing many thing.s, n«»r even in knowing them thoroughly; hntincdioos ing and in following what conduces the most cer- tainly to our lasting happiness and true glory. Thr Jlaulijul 7V.< ^ r rj/r. 309 "TiiM Lokd's Poix's." " I s'l'dsi: .\|;irin'll swy Fm a I'im.I," i-cflccttMl Nancy Dean, taking oil" li. r spcctaclrs and laying thoni acroH.s ih(> <)]»on Bible in licr lap. 'An' [t'l-'aps T am; lint .somehow it's borne in on me to do this d tlie glasses on her nose, and following tlif words on tlie j.rintcd page with 1m r finger, slowlv read a^jud: "Verily I say nnt(. yon. Jnasniudi as ye have done it unto one of the l(>ast <»f tliesc my brethren, ye have riss Nan.y left the inner room. t(» which she ha shoj., where she did quite a thriving business in fancy goods and small wares. These two rooms, with a diminutive kitihcn in the rear, weic the lonely woman's home. It wa< somewhat out of the city, ancan had Ix'cu I'eading about the suffering among the ])oor children in lioston. Marly in the season she had sent a. small donation (o the l''i'esh Aii' I'und for giving hoi'se-ear I'ides to \\\v sick and poor, hut even this did not satisf\- her conscience; and to- by this heat, an' I may as Well make astir first as last, [.emmi^ see,"' ,-he nnised, tying her bonnet strings, " Til run round to the, 'Syhini. They always haven puny lot there^ an" "11 be tliaidhe 1 ean"t ,^ct one lo jj;o with ni'_'."" .. \\',."11 ^rc." ^aid the matron, willin.u- to trust th(» e-hildren's instimt in tli(^ matter. The room was neat aiul clean, hut oh! so stilling:-. and the air thai came lhrou, h<'ard the matron say: "Poor Willie! I helieve it will uivehim a newlease of life; and he's such an alfectionate child, ^liss ])ean, J know ^■ol^ll hecoiiie attached to him." " l>loss me!" ,uaspeWiil»i«iWrTr'-nilrtW>i I'll lli'lilililillllLilMI 312 The Beautiful Tree of Life. into tlio (leptlis of tlio Iriitliful brown eyes, and then she gallicred the cliild into her arms; and whik^ his fmjjjers crej)t over her tliin face, or toyed with tlie old-fasliioned brooch at licr tliroat, the bargain was made. Tlie next few days Nancy Dean seemed to ])e living in a dr(>inn. The mothcrdove, Litent in every ti'ue woman's lieart, liad swept like a great tidal wave into her ]»eing. Fervent indeed were the ])rayers that were whispered night and morning into the neavenlv Fatlier's ear for a blessing nj)on "his little one," as she secretly called AVillie. At lengih the ])reparat ions were completed, and among the hnmlrefls of ]iassengers that crowded the "down l-'ast " l)oat one Augnst evening Avere no ha]»- ]iier souls than Mis-' l>('an and her little pre/r^/-. Tlu'V had a (pncr look, as if niisniatched somehow; but ]M'o|)lc wei'e too absorbed in their own afl'aii's to })a\' nnudi altei.iioii to llicni. When \]\o stewardess eann^ along foi- llie I'ai'es it was i'unny 1(! see the important air with whieli Miss Dean said: " Vnv myself and a child/' "What age, ma'am?" said that functionary. "Five next Se])tend)er," replied Miss Dean, proudly. "No charge for children under iive," said the sable maid, and passed on. "Well, I declare!" exclaimed ]\riss Dean. If JW advnowed that Fd bought him another balloon and some more peppermints. But p'r'aps 'twould made The Beautiful Tree of Life. 313 Iiiin 8casick; " and with tlii- siiiic rfnoction tlicv re- tired to their state-room. The next morning a dilUciilt y aruse. It ^vas a eoni- I)arativel\^ easy matter to get tlio boy out of ]iis clothes, but dressing him was <|uite a different pro- cess. Miss Dean examineil (lie stoeking-supporters in despair. Tlie -wliistle li.id snuiuled for Koekhind, an-eoacli connected for ]\raria's inland home. Slie fussed and funihled, and at lenglli took out her spectacles for a closer examination of the complicated article. "Dear Suzl" she nmtiei'ed, "nie'n ^SFaria never wore such tangled things. jNIotlier tieil up our stock- ings Milh a hit o' liel\'es."' ( )j len i ng 1 lie state-room door she sj)ied a little girl ]»la\'ing nhont the saloon, ;ind called out: ''Sissy, come here a min- ute." 'Y\\o child oheyed, and Miss Dean i!nhurdene(l her heart to tln^ small maiden, whos(> nimhle lingei's not only adjusted the hosiery hut helped otherwise al)out the toilet. After receiviuii; Miss Nancy's ni'o- ■ ' «. J. fuse thanks the child ran hack tolieV mother and re- lated the adventure, saying: "0 mamma, I do helieve she islined to bring fortli fruit an liundred fold. Miss Dean gi'(^w somewbat fidgety as slio drew u.iir tlic oM lioiiie. '*'A\'bat will Mnriasay?" wastlic refrain to bcr every tliougbt, and tlic sister soon sj)ok(> foi' jici'self. ''Who on cartb is tbat cbildV sbe aske(l, as the two alighted fi'om the stage. Xaney meekly ex- plained. ''"Well, if it ain't a load otf my mind," said Maria, leading the way to the bouse. "Tlie fact is, T read about them po(U' ebildren in Boston more'n a montb ago. an' sez I to myself, ' T s'poso Nancy '11 call me a fool, but bm going to send for oiu; o' them little tots this sumim'r,' an' she's off in the medder ]-laying ii(»\v. Thev"!i be a sight o' company for eacii other." TbesG New England women were people of few words, so Nancv's only eomment on this surpi'ising announcement was: " I was a good deal exereised my- self, Maria, but T guess 'twas the Lord's doin's, and he'll stand by us." And be did in a most unexpected way; tor Mrs. Lecomtc visited the old bomestead and made arrange- ments witb tbo Dean sisters to convert it into a Sum- mer Home for Cbildren, providing liberally for its - ^ I "niii'lllii n ^inlil 'I I niniiitiifi fur hnii ()lh( r 3lft -", •». ^SSi ;r f i . '.'T't^ t «SKi»' -^^ 316 The Beautiful Tree of Life. support IVoiu licr own nbuiidant ]noans. Nancy Doaii's vacation was indclinili'ly extended, and the small shop in the snhurbs of" Boston was given up lor the larger service of curing for the city waifs. — Fraiicci^ J. Dyer. LoNGiNd FOR Tkaci:. Many an outworn traveler is constrained to say, " I have no jilcasiire in Ihem." 'V]\q shadows of a long experience and a vai'ied sorrow have fallen thick around them. They muse and sit apart. '^Fhey shun the crowd and the gay circle. Slnit out fi'om their old liaunts of business, and away from general society, they are incdincd to brood over tlicii' lot and indulge in querulous animadversion upon current follies. Their day is over. The sun of a wearied and lengthened lif(> is ready to set. The solemnities of an eternal state, moreover, arc distinctly rising into view; and tliis consideration, when allowed its Avcight, is sutlicient to touch the soul, if not with gloom, at least with thouglitfulness uidcnown before. Death is at hand. The judge standeth at the door. ''Hie world of spirits with its mysteries, and the M'orld of retril)ution with its adjustments and everlasting decisions — with its boundlessness oi^ glory and of shame, of joy or woe, of life or death — these are not far off; and although we too often find triflers at an advanced point in life, and men who utterly ignore The Beautiful Tree of !/,(,. r>17 all tokens of their exit, and who, ovcii in llicir ilii^ss and conversation, aft'cet a ])('ri()d far remote fmin tlidr desired hut the peace which is not of the world, and th(> sustaining help (d" the everlasting arms; and if tliese are wanting — if thes(^ have heen accounted of no importance — then old age has hut little to lighten its darkness or lift from around it the mists of despondency, irritahility and despair. Amen. I CANNOT say. Beneath the ])ressure of life's care to-day, I joy in these; l)Ut I can say That I had rather walk this rugged way, Tf him it please. ■\ 318 77/ r H.uiiUfnJ Tra; of Life. 1 cannot feci That all i^ well, when (lai'k'nin^ clouds conceal 'I'lui (shining sun ; r>ut ll)cn 1 l )ok, 'i'o n^id my i'ate; r>ut I do look \\)\- proniise h(»t tears hack; hut luisli that sigh, " It might have heen "; And try to still Each rising murninr, and to (lod's sweet will Kespoml. Amen. — /•'. (/. Brow7ii7ig. Thr Bra lit i fill Tirr ofT/if,- 319 Eternal Voitii, A coMMaiTAHLE old aji;o is Iho reward of u well spent vouth; tiierefor(>, instcnd y^' instion, "What shall I do?" is, "Do the work that oflVrs, wiiatevcr it is." Moreover, you cannot tell what ahilities are wanfcil or what obstacles you will meet. CJenerally the ol)sta- cles we antici})ate do not contVont us; those m'c do not anticipate are those which we have to overcome. "It is always the nncxpected that hap])ens"; there- fore time spent in ti-yini;- to determine whether I have the })Owcr to meet the exirovidence calls me, he can give me the powers — that is, if he wants me to succeed. If h(> wants nu' to fail, that is what I also ought to Avnnl. Moses imagined that his chief difficulty would be to convince and arouse the Israel- ites; and this needed eloquence. But they believed and were ready to follow un a very simple statement »f.. ■ '^ft i< j rfM l Mt i -gi iBl JP tti M WWM i 320 T1>e BrauUful Tne of Li'fr (•(■ Mk' case. Tlic I'liif r dilliciill y \va< with IMuiraDli; ami (lii- ri(|iiii'(M| not wnnls luii ads. Moses was just tlic iinii till' ex iLifiicy iiccMl.'d; tni- it lu'cdci] a liiaii i»r (IcimI-. hot of woi-ils. It i- always so; flod can (dioosc oiii' \\i>rk for us l)cttci' than we can clioosc it for (air-cl\r~. In fact, very rardy docs any man ciioosi' for liini-i'lf. Ill a ;i'ay-h aired men ask llie ijiieslion, W'lio of you are doing now what in youi- youth you expected to do? and sec what answer you e-,.t. To 'I'Hi: Bf.liever. "We know tli:it all thini,->< work to-^'cllicr i>>v ^ood to tlu'in that ii)\e Cod, to tlicni who arc the called accordini^ to his purpose."' — Rom. viii. .^S. .Vi.i; things? ^'es; whatever happens to the Chris- tian is directed and overnded hy a special providence foi- his good. It may he very hitter; it may hiy liim very low; it may ti'y him t(» the ([uick; it may keep him in the dust foi- a long time, hut it will do him good, not only in the end, hut while it last'^ Pxdiever. youi' ]iresent trial is i'or your good; notli- inij; coidd he hetter foi' \'ou. Y(>\[ may not see it now; }'ou may feel a- if you never couhl think so; hut the time is coming when you will hless (rod for it. Vou love (lod. though it is l>ut feeldy; and that ]iroves that God loves you with an infinite and eter- md love. You have conn' to the cross as a poor sin- ner, and you look to the Lord Jesus to he your per- MOHtil. i 'ill! 1 1 • 1 ■ ■ ' dL ■ ' ^^^B ■^ 1 i i 1. iiWtgmMwuiiM.iirnij*!!! mm- 322 ^''C Beautiful Tree of Life. (rri Saviour; nn.l tlii- ~1-"W~ tlwii vnu l.av<- Won ,,,11, ..I a.-c.nlin-toCn.r. ,,..rpo-.. Ami M is as one l.cluVr.l "f . hoalll. an.l Mcknoss, ,,,,,,,1 ;,,mI InV,.. pin^lHTitV :.l..l M- 1 V. T-it V, lifV aixl ,l,.atli— will u.^rk In-rt Ikt for your .ucud. ( I.mI a>srrts ,]„. ,•.,,., .,,,,1 thrntoP' you Hhouiaiu'licvo it. 'J'lio history ..f all (io.Ts iH.oplc I'rovos a-id illnsiral.'S it, ,,,,,1 tlHivlnn. vou .l.oul.l r-joi.^cin 11. Dark rlouds l„.i„<.- ricl, Mr~~ii,--. -litiri- winlM-s inln.«luei'lruil- lul Ipriii -. ami -.!.■ liouM.'S oftni prceodo ll.o sw,M.t.-trons..lMtio,,<. V.,ur|.r(-<'t.t.amictiou— luMt .i,.knr- of budv, troul.l.' nl- mind, luivav.Mnrnt>, losses, crus.es, or wbatovr ..In-is workin- l^n- yonr good: not moroTvwill work in 1 ho fntnvr. l.ni is work- ino-now. Wl.il.' v..nr l.oart i< Mrrdin-. wlnlo you .,,0 ton,pt(Ml to ti.ink all is a-ainst you, all js work- i„... tc.uvthor iur your -ood. - Wo glory in tribula- ti.'ms al^o, knowing that tribulation Avorketli patience^ ,,„.l pation.-o rxp.'rienee, and experience liopo." '.Tuorcii 1 bestow all my goods to feed Ibo poor, .^,,a thongh 1 give n.y body to be burned, and have not charity, it protiteih me notlung." Thk higbest compact we .- (if IliailV .1 Wcll-inCMI,- iiiir <«»iii)]c inarrcd l»y their forget I'lilacj-s i>r \\w A\\\v (■iiJoIikmI ii|»()ii lis, ((» "Iiciir one aimllicr's 1iin''!<'ii-, nn«"l so fiillill the law of ( 'Iirl-;t ! " I luw (tfti'ii. wli'ii .Idhii cKiiK-; liMtiii' I'l'Mii Work, it litllo ])ut out lii'caiisc things lia\c iioi <;ouu iiuilt' smoothly at the workshop, or Sally \- jint u wee hit out. of tonij)or ])f'('anso the chilflnn lia\r Imih latlnr more t roiihh'soiiii' than usual — ]\(>\\ oI'il'Ii, we sav, in such u case, inKtciul of licntle wonlsto mako things I)leasant, is some such remaik as thi^ iii(|iilL^er reaped his lields, you would say had g-onc (dear nuid. No man sows who do(^s not cxpecd, to rcaj). That is just what he does expect to do. Th seeds of his had character spring up even hevond his life, and choke all good from the lives of his chiMivn. His litth- children grow uj) to lie and (]eceive him just as he has deceived others. A had hoy is too often the living penalty of the sins of his narents; thev have sown and watered, and now he is reai)ing the janiishment. /vnother i»oint: It a man sows, he nnisf reap the iVuit. no nudter Iiow ignorant he may claim to he, o! really I'c. of the uatuiv of the seed. A plea of ignorance won't do. You sow tai'cs and think it wheat, hut nothing hut tares will s[)ring u\k ^'ou may call it wheat, or I'ye, or u'rain l, For far-off hills, wheroon its j..y had been. 141 ' k'ff ^*- -i'.' |'it,yc :;.'(.; The Beautiful Tree of Life. 329 Some talked of vanished gold, Some of proud honors told, Some spake of friends that were their trust no more And one of a green grave Beside a foreign wave, That made him sit so lonely on the shore. But when their talcs were done, There spake among them one, A stranger, seeming from all sorrow free: " Slid losses Iiave ve met, But mine is lieavier 3'et, J'\)r a believing heart hath gone from me.'* 'SVhis!'" these pilgrims said, " For the living and the dead, l-'or fortune's eruelty, for love's sure '^toss, For the wreeks of land and soa; But, liowe'er it eame to thee, Thine, stranger, is life's last and heavi<^st loss." ir ( 'd.M loi; r J<»i; 111 1-; 1 )(ii i;i i.\(,. !i.\\i;\ou nc\ <■!■ l;i-t('(l the luxury ot' iiidulgiug in li;i!'i| tlmnglits ;iu,iin>t t lid-c who li;i\('. ;is y(»ii tliink. injurt'il \du ? ll;i\ry(Mi never knuwn \\;i;ii a |Hired iVoni the flock and got lost in the wilderness say: ''The shepherd does not love me, nor care for me, nor reniend)er me, because I am lost, lie only loves and cares for the lambs that never wander," The Beautiful Tree of Life. 3:]l As well mij;lii the ill man say, "The doctor will not como to sco me, nor ^ivo mo any mcMlicine, be- cause I am ill; lie only cures for and visits well peo- ple." Jesus says: ''They that are whole need not a physician, hut they that are sick." And again ho says: "What man of you. liavini;- an hundred slieei*. if ho lose one of them, doth not leave th(> ninety and nine in tlio Avildei'noss and go after that which is lost until ho find it?" Any thoughts of him. therefore, which ar(> different from what ho says of hiius(>lf are hard thoughts, and to indulge in them is far worse than to indulge in hard thoughts of anv earthlv friend or foe. '*il ilii Tell mo, my secret soul, Oh, tell me, iro))e and h^iith, Is there no resting place From sorrow, sin and death V Is there no hap[>y spot "Wheie mortals may h(^ hU'st— Where grief nuiy tind a halm And weariness a rest ? Faith, llop.o and T.ove, host boons lo mortal given, Waved their bright wings and wdiispored, "Yes, in Heaven." Grace teaches us in the midst of life's greatest comforts to be willing to (li(>, and in the midst of its greatest crosses to be willing to live. — Matthew Henry. The Beautiful Tree »f Life. Tin: .IrD'i.MKNT Day. I SAT nloiK! with my (•ousciciico In ;i ])liice where liiuo luul ceased, And we t;ilk('(I of my iornier liviuL;; In the lamls where the years increas(Ml. And 1 t'lh I slionld liave to answ(»r The (|nestion it pnl to me, And (o l'ae(> tlie answer and (iiicstion Thi'ouglionl an eh^rnity. The ^liosts of I'or^'otten aetions Came ]h)atin,ijj heiore my sii;ht, And Ihin-s that T tlioiight were dead tilings Were alive with a tei'rihle mi.nht. And the vision of all my ])ast life Was an awfnl thin^' to face — Alone with my eonseience sittin.u' In that solemnly silent place. And T thoni;ht of a far-away warning, Of a sorrow that was to he nunc, In a land that then was the fntnre, lint now is the present time; And 1 thon;;ht of my former thinking Of the Jnduin(Mit l^ay tu be; r>nt siding alone with my conscience Seemed judgment enough for me. And I wondered if there was a futui'o To tins land beyond the grave, TheBeanflfid Tree of Lifr. JiS3 Rut 11'^ one jiavc iiic aii answer, Aii«l no ono canio to save. Tlu'ii 1 felt that tlio futuro was present. And the ])resent would never f>;o hy, For it was but tlio thouf^lit of my \ni1kiI1 reap the whirlwind." IJosi. \ \iii. 7. Wp; !ic;ir iihmi .-;iy in ;i jfstino- way, ''Oil, wc arc si>\\iiiL': iiiii' wild oats; wc \vill .!j,cl over this by and l>v."' 1 Iia\o >('(ii iiicii rca|» tlicir wild oats. It's all well ciioll^li sowiliu', hut wlicli it collies to tlic l"'a[)- iii^- it'- a diU'crciit tiling. I rciiiciiil)(>r I went lioiiic one iiiulit ami toiiiid all the |tco])l(> in alarm. They had -cen a man coiiiiiiL:' niiiniiij;' down the street, and as he aj»i;ro;ic]H'd the hoiise lio }Xa\'' an unearthly I'oar, and, in l<'rror, tiny Imil holted the door. Jle came riiiht up to my door, and, insteaut he persisted that the devil had come and laid his liand U])on him, and told him he might have till one o'clock, and said he : " Won't you go up in my room and sit with me?"' I got some men up to liis room to see to him. At one o'clock tlie devils came ■ wsss&ss 2'ii''. UaiHtijul TiiC cf Life, 335 I into that room, imd nil ihn nicii in lliat room could not hol sowini:: your wihl oats, l>ut tlic reaping time is cominjj;. — 1>. L. MnixJiJ. The Saxctuauv ok Pkack. Ui:LKii()N' sweetens and sanctities all the relations (•f lii\>. It doubly enhances all the ties of nature ami kindred, hy inlertwininu; them with the nioi'c lasting; ties of s a spirit of forhear- anco and _t;-entlene-s and hroth( rly kindness and charity. It makes home the sanctuary of ])eac(^ and purity, of love and joy — a model Heaven njx)!!