1CII «■■'■■ || OUR OVN FIE ST reader: FOR THE USE OP SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. BY RICHARD STERLING, A.M., PKTKCXPAL OF EDQEWORTH FEMALE SEMINARY. AND J. D. CAMPBELL, A.M., PROFESSOR OF MATHFM' 'TC6 AK.i RHETOiia STEREOTYPE EDITION, GREENSBORO, N. C: ;iit. TREAbUKL ROOM George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS / i OUR OWN FIRST READER: FOR THE USE OP SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. BY RICHARD STERLING, A.U, PRINCIPAL OF ELOEWORTH FEMALE SEMINARY, AND J. D. CAMPBELL, AM., PROFESSOR OP MATUEilATICB AND HIIKToKlO STEREOTYPE EDITION. GREENSBORO, N.G: PUBLISHED EY STERLING. CAMPBKLL, AVD AI/RRir.UT. RICHMOND, VA. : W. HARGRAVE WHITK. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SC2, by RICHARD STERLING and J. D. CAMPBELL, in the Clerk's Office of tho District Court of the Confederate States, for the District of Pamlico, North Carolina. IM1EFACE. Th:<: Series of Readers, of which this little volume is the Firsfc Number, was undertaken several years ago, under the convic- tion that Southern children should be furnished with Southern books. The political conflict through which we are now passing has greatly augmented the need of such a series, and hastened its completion. In the preparation of the lessons great care has been taken to select subjects which are familiar and entertaining to children. The words are short ; in several of the first lessons they do not contain more than three letters. These are followed by words of four letters; and so on, progressing by slight gradations to the more difficult. It is hoped that the styio and sentiment will be found easy, intelligible, and interesting to the tender minds of those for whom it is designed, as well as conducive to their moral im- provement. Each lesson is preceded by a selection of the more difficult words found in it, which the pupil shou'd learn to spell with < and correctness, so that they may be easily recognized and pro- nounced when reading. VI PREFACE. While we deem it highly important that the teacher should ask questions at the clo.se of each lessen, to see that the pupil understands what he has read, yet we prefer that they should be such questions as will naturally suggest themselves. Should this volume, now submitted to the examination and decision of parents and teachers, prove acceptable to tin m, and a'd in advancing the great cause of education in our Confederacy, the prime ol jtct of the authors will have been attained. STEREOTYPE EDITION. The publishers are pleased to have it in their power to issue this edition of the "First Reader "' handsomely illustrated, and, consequent y, more attractive to )'ouii£ reader. OUR OWN FIRST READER. LKSS«I ff. See lie clog Tom sun niay fat are now run fast bit >. day pig him out THE SUN IS UP. 1. See the smi i.s up. It is now day. Do not lie in bod, but get up. 2. L6t us go out, The dog may go too. Lt is a hot day; do not run, it is t< o tiot to run. 3. I see a ] ig; tie pig is f<\t, and it can not run. See! the dog has got I he ] ig by the ear, I 4. 'tipin, put ;•;. pig i . *■ e pen, r«al do 8 OUR OWX FIRST READER. not let the don l BIT. D»ll play skys then down when sh-ll tliat gave re: id hard time pa girl boo!-: both kpell blue yours how THE DOLL. 1. Will you eonie and nlav with my doll? Mv doll is sp nice, she ean >vn. 2. My pa got me this ni • iloli,4 ave it to me, when L was a good girl. 10 OUR OWN FIRST BEADEH. 8. He says he will get me a bed far my doll, when I cvA\ re.-d rbr him, arid 1 shall try hard to read in my new book; and then niv doll will have a nice bed to lie on. You must come and see how nice it will be. 4, By that time yon must read too, find we will both have a new book, so we ean s[ ell in one book and read in one hook. Mv look is to have a blue back; will vours be red or 11 ae ? E,*:*.*0* IV. Kite high give tree with still take torn line gone eare drwn hold more fast in'to THE NEW KIT isl. 1. Tom has a new kite. Do you sec him run with it? 2. He ean fly the kite in the air. He lias hold of the lino. 3. The kite will not go up, if the boy does not hold the line. OUR OWN FirST READER, 11 4, How high the lute has gone ! Tt may go up still more, if the boy will give it more line. h. Take eare ; or the kite will get fast in the tree and be torn. G. Sec, Tom ! it has gone in-to the tree. Now we must get it down as well as we can. i vav v i ?k kmU bi\e they tlicm ]-l: ) need Till: WAHP AM) THE BEE. 1. A was]> once said to a bee, pray do ol re I know n i " mine your 12 OUB OWN FIRST READER. you know whv men are not kind to nx\ unci why tl ey are so fond of yon, \v!i;:i we are both of one kind ? 2. The bee said, I will tell yon why. You play, aiicl I work, all the day long. You are of no use to wen, and 1 am of itst j lo them. If von will work and be of use to them,! as 1 am, they will like you to >, and give you a hive to live in like mine. 3. Ren's and j>t.*1s, you must not play all day. You must love to learn your books, and to he of some use. 4. When you [Jay, you must be kind to all the luvs :ui;l £>'irls ; and then they will love to j>! iv with you; and will help you to learn vour bojks when you need help from them. B,ESSOS VB. lave make kind great toll shun ]>oor bless lead that this girls life srood sees knows love viee grow nev'cr Otfft OWN FIRST READ-!!. 13 MAXIMS. 1. No one can tell how long he may live. 2. Sin will lead us to pain and woe. 3. A bad life will make a b.ul end. 4. Love all that is good, and shun viee. 5. Do good to all men, and be kind to all. 6. God will love all who are kind to the poor. 7. God will love all who try to do good. ^ 8. Nev-er tell a lie, for this is a ..great sin. 9. God SG3S all that Ave do, and knows all that we say. 10. Fear to sin, and God will love you, and bless you, and you will grow up 10 bo good boys and girls. IdftSSOl VI J. Tear ripe last . i !*;:i near pray gold \1 ben tree year they ho 14 OUR OWN FIRST READER. like were "both moat lake must love docs THE PEAR TREE. 1. Let us take our dog and go to the pear tree. 2. I do not see the pear tree. It is near the hill side. 3. Last year it bore ten bags of pears. They were all like gold when they were ripe. 4. Pray let us rn, ho gains the top of a steep lull. 8. In the low vale at its foot, he sees the home of liis youth; and his full heart leaps up as he views it. Let us leave him to his joy. •1; Ah lame here wood eggs eome been crow bird know fell high from tree life fall cure just some that THE BAD BOY. 1. Ah, here is a bad bov, he has been oUIt OWK FIRST READER. 17 in the woods to rob a poor bird of her <5ggS. 2. You see he is lame. Do you kno<* how he came to be lame? Well I will tel] you. 3. One day he got up into a high tree to get the eggs from the nest of a bird, but he fell from the tree and hurt his leg; so he has been a lame bov all of his life. 4. But he was so bad a boy that this did not cure him, for you see he has come from the woods now with the ( <>< s of i iome poor bird. 5. He is a lame boy and a bad boy, and no one can love him. LESSOX X. Yes will tree sits limb same sing hear glad Jane lost like iicw cage back bird THE BIRD. 1. Can a bird sing ? Yes, it can sing. A > 18 OUR OWN FIRST READER, Do vou like to hear it sin«? Yes; do not you like to hear it ? 2. I like to hear it sing, and I like to see it, too. 3. Did the bird hop, or did it fly? It flew up to the top of the tree and now it fits on a limb of the tree. 4. Can the bird see me now V It can see you, and it can hear you, too. 5. Is that the bird that Jane lost ? Yes, it is the same bird. 6. Is it glad to get out of the cage? Will it come back, or will it fly off? 1 LESSON XI. 1 Your keep took poor seen hang eggs lost will them want nest- bird wish play bush THE LOST NEST, 1. The poor bird has lost her nest. A boy saw it on the bush, and took it, and all the eggs that she had in it. 2. He did not want the nest* but he took OUR OWN FIRST READER. 19 it to play with the eggs. He will keep them, and hang them up. 3. Do you see how sad the poor bird is ? and do you not hear her cry ? Poor bird ! I wish the boy had not seen your nest. % KrKSSOl XII. Jane hand when each give roll done know milk have cake next take that sick kept JANE AND > TOM. 1. Jane, give Tom his tea. Put more milk than tea in his cup. Milk is good for both of you. 2. Take your cup, Tom, and hand a roll to Jane. Jane, do you wish to have tea or milk ? I wish to have milk, ma. 3. That is well. TYhen you have done your tea and milk, you may each take a cake. Do not take more than one, lest you be sick. 4. I know a boy who ate too much cake, and it made him sick. If he had kept part 20 OUR OWN FIRST READER. of it for the next day, he need not have been sick ; but now he lies on his bed, and can- not w r alk out nor play. 5. I hope you will not act as this boy did, that you may not be sick, and kept in bed, as you say he is. ijEssra* xiii. John tops glad fine mine lent here cord once game kite jump spin best race plan OUR OWN FIRST READER. 21 THK TOPS. 1. I am glad tp see yon, Bon. Let us go out and spin our tops. We will have fine fun. 2. I have not mine with me. Torn. I lent my top and cord to John. 3. Well, then, let us both use mine. Here is a cord for you. You can spin the top once, and then I will spin it; and then it will be your turn onee more, and then mine; and so on. 4. By this plan, Tom, we ean play with one top as well as if w t 3 had two. *And then we can have a game at ball. I have one. 5. Yes, Ben; or we can fly my kite, or run a race, or try who can hop and jump the best. But now let us spin the top. "What buds tine few bush full then may this pick bloom r< d rose days stay you 22 OUR OWN FIRST READER. THE ROSE BUD. 1. What bush is this? Is it a rose bush? Do you see the buds on it? 2. The bush is full of red buds. May I pick a bud? No, do not pick it now. 3. If you will let the bud stay on the bush, in a few days it will bloom, and be a fine red rose. Then you may pick the rose. liESSS** XV. Yard play like they ftice with them keep hurt boys some good pups kind from love THE DOG. 1. I saw a big do He sings no more, I cannot play. 3. She wipes her eyes, This kind Jane Ray, And sits and si^hs, But cannot play. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 25 LESSON XYIII. Lame walk hurt kind arms i'ome heart bound house dress weeks could quite which salve al'-so TUE LAME DOGS. 1. A man, one day, in his walk, saw a poor Jos which had hurt his leg, and was lam<». The man had a kind heart. So he took 'the-' dog home. with him in his arms, and put son Ive on the leg and bound \i up. 2, He ke lie do^ in his h< n fin two days, and tl en ent him to his . fito$ ] s f ! '-" ' vvas not his, he riirhl 26 OUR OWN FIRST READER. to keep him. But each day the dog came back for this good man to dress his leg; and this he did till it was quite well. > 3. In a few weeks the same dog came back once more ; and with him came a dog which was lame. The dog that had been lame and was now well first gave the man a look, and then he gave the lame dog a look ; as much as to say, 4. a You made my lame leg well, kind man ; now pray do the same for this poor dog which has come with me." 5. Then the kind man took care of this dog also, and kept him in his house till hi* leg was quite well, and he could go home. LE$$0* XIX, Neat comb times your Jane brush hush does John each would clean girl rooms speak wish BE NEAT. 1. Jane and John, here are a new coml» OUR OWN FIRST READER. 2? and brush for each of vou. Put them in your bed rooms. 2. I hope that you will keep your hair and skin neat and clean. You see how neat Miss Todd is; Ave like to look at ! for she is fit to be seen at all times. 3. Ma, I know a girl who is not neat; her hair is long, and she does not comb it; her frock is in rags. They call her . 4 Hush! Jane, I do not wish to h« ir her name. Would vou like her to sav that Jane Kent is not neat and clean ? and I am sure I have seen vou far from it ! You did not speak of her as you would wish her to apeak of you. liESNWSI XX. Back large touch barks tail take claws those licks ' mic( sharp loves when puts catch brine THE CAT. 1. See, Ann, what a fine large cat. OUR OWN FIRST READER. ' j . V Touch her, how sleek she is ! She has fine soft fur. Take care, her claws are sharp. If you are kind to her she will not hurt you. 2. Tell Kate to brines dowB, and it is dark. The night was for OtTR OWN FIRST READER. 33 sleep; but when the sun is up, we must rise to work or play. LESSON xxw. Since James could large road field cheap cents kite there where strong P r ay think ground branch JAMES PRATT AND JOHN REED. 1. A few days since, as James Pratt was on his way to a field near home, he met John Reed with a new kite in his hand. 2. u You have a nice kite there," said James ; " pray what did you give for it ?" 3. " I gave just ten cents for it," said John. " Do you think it cheap or dear?" 4. " I think/' said James, " it is very cheap. I wish I could get such a one at the same price. But pray where is your eord?" e5. John said he had it in his hand ; and be held it up, and told James that it \va& long and strong. S4 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 6. " Now," said James, " let us go to the top of the hill, and make it fly." John liked the sport, and was glad to have James go with him. 7. When they got to the top of the hill, they soon set off the kite. It rose high: but the wind was too strong; so it soon fell down to the ground. ,8. In its* way down it met with a dead branch of an old tree, which tore a large hole in it; but they knew how to mend it. 1 when they got home. XESSOX XXV. Next when length truth went would a- way' catch good down ver'-y wrong hung great sor'-ry noth'-i JAMES PRATT AND JOHN REED, (CONTINUED.) 1. The next day they went to the same spot, with the kite as good as new, and with ,a hope to have good sport, as the wind was not too high. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 35 2. When they set it off, its line long tail hung with great grace in the air. It soon was so high as to take the whole length of the cord. 3. James had hold of the cord, and he gave it a kind of jerk, and broke it. So the kite flew away like a great bird. 4. "Oh, what have you done?" said John. James told the truth, and said he was very sorry. 5. "Well," said John, "we may as well go home now; we can do nothing more. If we run to catch it, we shall run in vain; if we sit down and cry, that will not bring back the kite. If I were to beat vou, it would be wrong and would do me no good." 6. What a good boy John Heed is ! I hope that he will soon have a new kite, and that all the boys who know him, will be as kind to him as he was to James Pratt. r,i?sso* xxvi. Tilings drink field soul shine clothes gives wear 36 OUR OWN FIRST READER. night friends plants ver'-y beasts should grass wa'-ter GOD MADE ALL THINGS. 1. In six days, God made all things. 2. He made the sim to shine by day. 3. He made the moon and stars to shine by night. 4. He made the trees and the grass and the plants. 5. He made the beasts of the field and the fish of the sea. 6. When He had made all things, He said they were very good. 7. The same God made my soul and body. 8. He gives me food to eat, water to drink, and clothes to wear. 9. He gives me kind friends to take care of me. 1 0. I should love God for all He does for me. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 3' fifiSSOM XXVII. Read here which health life done shall friends home than death teach more lead gives morn'-ing GOD. 1. You have read that God made you. He it is, too, who gives you life and health, your home and your friends. He has done more than all this. 2. He sent you His own Son to teach you to lead a life of peace here, and at death to win a home of joy which shall have no 6ad. 3. Be sure that God sees you in the dark, as well as in the light. He knows all that you do, and all that you say, yes, and all that you think. 4. Oh, then, seek this God! Pray to Him, $nd thank Him for all His gifts, both in the morning when you wake from sleep, and at night when you lie down to rest. 38 OUR OWN FIRST READER. Meet IjESSIMJ XXV du'-ty be-ffun' mo'-ments woods la'-bor mu'-sic morn'-ing MORNING. 1. The lark is up to meet the sun, The bee is o;i the wing; The ant its labour has begun, The woods with music ring. 2. Shall birds, and bees, and ants, be wise, While I my moments waste? Oh let me with the morning rise, And to my duty haste. IiKSSOSf XXIX. Spend stain strips posts night babes burnt eight house sheets their nurse heard quilt young death THE HOUSE ON FIRE. 1. A man and his wife once went to OUR OWN FIRST READER. 39 upend the night witli their sick old aunt, whose house wag eight miles oft*. They left their two babes, Frank and Jane, in the care of Ann. the nurse; and told John and the cook to keep their house safe. 2. The night was dark, and all in the house had been in bed some time, when the nurse heard some one cry, Fire ! Fire ! Fire ! 3. Ere she could get up. John came to the door of her room to tell her that th« first floor and the stair-way of the hous« 40 OUR OWN FIRST READER. were on fire. He said be was sure tfo would all be burnt to death: and he was in too much fear to think of apian to sav£ them. 4. Not so, Ann, the good nurse. Full of love for her babes, she had no time for fear. She tore up the sheets aud the quilt, and made a stout rope of the strips. With this by John's help, she first let down the eo- ajid then Frank and Jane. Last of all, John and she came down by the rope, which they had made fast to one of the he posts. 5, "And what if the house was burnt up., since all of you are safe!" said the man and his wife to Ann, when, next day, she oa ve- to their arms, safe and well, their dear young Frank and Jane. IjKSSO* XXX. Slate whip four eggs draw duck bags cart fine down steal frame nose milk pail a- gain OUR OWN FIRST READER. 41 MY SLATE. 1. Pray, give me my new slate, I wish to draw on it. My slate has a fine red frame. I will draw a boy. What a long nose he has, and but one arm! 2. Now I will draw a cow, and a milk maid with her pail. Here is a dog, and a hen, and a duck. Why, the dog has but tw# feet and the duck has four. Well, I can rub out two of the duck's feet and give them to the dog. 3. Here I will have a man with a whip in his hand. Why, the man is not as tall as the dog 1 must rub them all out, for they are not well done, and draw a tree; then 1 will have a man with an axe in his hand, to chop down the tree. 4. Next T will draw a mill, and a cart full of bags of corn. This is a boy with a nest full of eggs in his hand. He is a bad boy to steal the nest of a poor bird. 5. Here is the maid come to take me to led; pray put my slate by for me, that I ly have it safe, when I want to draw again. 42 OUR OWN FIRST READER. IiESSOS X\M. Mine thank wrong fee'-ble thine there praise heav'-en child would da'-hig pray'-er night should lit'-tle list'-ens GOD IS ITS" HEAVEN. 1. God is in heaveii:; and can lie hear A feeble pf&fer like mine? Yes, little child, you need not fear He listens now to thine. 2. God is in heaven; and ca*n He see When I am doing wrong? Yes, child, lie can — He looks at thee All day, and all night long. 3. God is in heaven; and would He know If 1 should tell a lie? Yes, if you say it ever so low, He hears it in the sky. 4. God is in heaven; and can I go To thank Him for His care? Not yet — but love Him here below, And you shall praise Him there. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 43 WESSON XXXII. Thrush flap'-ping stol'-en garden thought call'-ed ap'-ple look'-ed bloom mak'-ing some'- thing un-til' meant af'-ter hang'-ing work'-ing THE THRUSH AND THE CAP. 1. An old cook once hung her nice cap <>n a line in the garden to dry. When shi went to get it, it was gone. 2. $he looked for it until she was tired, hut the cap was nowhere to be found; so she thought some one had stolen it. 3. A few weeks after this, a man who was working in the garden, heard a thrush mak- ing a great noise in an apple tree, and went to see what it meant. 4. When he came near the tree, he saw that the bird had a nest, and that something white was hanging from the nest, and wa* blown by the wind. 5. The man did not know what it was, and called the cook to see it. As soon a* the cook came to the tree, and saw th* strings-napping in the win \slir said, "The** is my lost cap." 44 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 6. The bird had seen the nice soft cap hanging out to dry, and took it to line the nest she had just built. The nest was now full of young birds, and the cap made them a nice bed. M1SSWS mOLIII. Large size leaves ev'-er goose white swans nev'-er young makes neck wa'-ter grown sticks grass swim THE SWAN. 1. The swan is a large bird. Jane says it is like a goose. 2. When it is y.oung, it is gray; but when it is crown to its full size it is as white as snow. 3. It has a long neck and short legs. It makes a nest of short sticks, and grass, and leaves. 4. The eggs of the swan are large anil white. Have you ever seen a swan ? 5. No, 1 never saw one. Where do swaxjs OUR OWN FIRST READER. 4g live ? They swim on the water, and they iiy in the air. MCSS«Mi XXXIV. Though pow'-er ti'-ny ma'-ny plen'-ty use'-ful ver'-y gen'-tle small bet'-ter lit'-tle lov'-in# prove bus'-y up-on tri'-fle A LITTLE CHILD MAY BE USEFUL. 1. I may, if I have but a mind, Do good in many ways; Plenty to do, the young may find, In these our busy days. Sad would it be. though young and small, If I were of no use at all. 2. One gentle word that I may speak, Or one kind, loving deed, May, though a trifle, poor and weak, Prove like a tiny seed. And who can tell what good may spring From such a very little thing? 3. Then let me try, each day and hour, To act upon this plan, 46 OUR OWN FIRST READER. What little good is in my power, To do it while I can. If to be useful thus I try, I may do better by and by. * MSSSttX SXXY, Frank hymns where tru'-ly Charles write prose ver'-y speak should young to-day' your doubt prize moth'-er FRANK AND CHARLES. Mother. Well, Frank ; well, Charles ; I hope you have both been good boys to-day. Frank, Yes, mother, that we have. Charles, I can speak for Frank, mother. Frank. Yes, and I can speak, too ; just let me say one word in your ear, mother. Mother. Well, what is it? Frank. Charles has got a prize to-day. Mother. A prize ! Frank. Yes, and it is a nice new book. I wish I could say things like Charles, and then I should have a new book too. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 47 Mother. You know you are not as old as fie is: whela you are at his age, you will do as well, I have no doubt. Frank. Do you think 1 shall? Oh, how -lacl I shall be! Well. I will try all I ean. 1 am sure. ther. And pray, Charles; where is this nice new book which Frank has told me of? Charles. Here it is. mother ; it is •• Hymns in Prose." . <• Hymns in Prose !' : Truly, it i« one of the best books yoims folks ean have. And how did you gain this prize? UHAiti I had hurt my hand, you know, so that I could not write, and was told to learn one of the Hymns as a kind of task. Frank, Yes, mother, and he said it so well that he won the book. Mother. You are a good boy; and yon have made your mother quite happy, By and by, I will hear you say the lines. Frank. Do, mother, for they are ver\ good words, and I shall be truly glad to hear them again, 48 OUR OWN* FIRST READER. liESSO* XXXVI, Hark feel hear cage sing does would sings high fret shut pale wish could likes fields THE BIRD. 1. It is a fine day : let us walk out. It is not too hot, but I can feel the warm sun. 2. Hark ! I hear a bird ; I can hear it sing, and I can see it. It does not look as big as a bee, and yet we can hear it sing. 3. I wish I had it in my hand ; I would put it in a cage, and then I could hear it sing all the day. 4. No, my dear Ann, he can not live in a cage ; and when he sings, he likes best t© fly high in the air. If you were put in a small room, and could but just move a yard or two, you would not be gay as you a^e now * you would pine and fret to get out, and to walk and run. 5. You -would soon be ill, and grow pate and sad. And if you take a poor bird and shut him up in a cage, he will pine and fret. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 4[) 6. Well, thou, I will go out into the fields and hear him sing, L do not now wish to have a bird in a ca^e. E,ESSC5\i XltXVfi. Grown ver'-y lit'- tie loarn'-ed to-day' a-way' tall'-er pass'-ed a-bove' a-bout' big'-ger fiow'-crs I All JIVE YEARS OLD TO-DAY, 1. I was a very little child, But months have passed away, And I am bigger, taller grown; I am live years old to-day, 2. At first, I could not walk at all, And not a word could say; And now I talk and run about ; 1 am five years old to-day. 3. I did not know the God above, Who made the flowers so gay, And me and all ; but now I know; I am five years old to-day. 60 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 4. I did not thank Him for his love, I had not learned to pray ; But now I kneel to ask his orace ; I am five years old to-day. l*£S$in; XXXV2II. Let still folks be-srin j°7 hills these nev'-er tell bark scent mas'-ter live hunt smell ap-pear' you noise please care'-ful way teach means chil'-dren tops mouse known snow'-drifts THE STORY TELLER. 1. Peter Pindar was a great story teller. This is known to all children who have read his books. One day as he was going by the school, the children came around him, and they all wished him to tell them a new story. 2. Well, says Peter, T love to please good children ; and as you all appear kind and civil, I will tell you a story which you have OUft OWN FIRST READER. 51 never hoard. But before we begin, let us go and sit down in a «oo>, shady place. o. And now. master John, you must he as still as a little mouse. And, .Mary, vou must tie careful not to let Towser bark and tnake a noise. 4. A long wiy from this place, in a land where it is very cold, and where inuch snow falls, and where the hills are so hio-h that their tons appear to reach to the sky, then* live some men, whose joy it is to help fbjjfe, who cross these hills. 5. These men keep large dogs, which they teach to go out and hunt for persons who may be lost in the snow drifts. 6. The dogs have so fine a scent ( r smell, that they can find folks by moans of it. oven when it is too dark to see, or when the i folks they go ut to hunt for, lie hid in the deep snow drift*. LESSttl XXXIX. Shrill drew feit bark'-injr might could child some-tiiin" 52 OUR OWN FIRST READER. heard close round gone lain told hi in-self 7 eat'-en EOT LOST IN THE SNOW 1. One cold night, when the wind blew loud and shrill, and the snow fell fast, and it was very dark, some good men sent out a dog to seek for those who might want help. 2. In an hour or two, the dog was heard barking at the gate; and when the men went to look out, they saw the dog there with a hoy on his back. The povr child ont own FiriST reader. 53 was stiff with cold, and could but just hold on the do<*'s hack. 3, The men took the bov in ; and when he was warm, and had eaten some food, ho told them that he had lain a long time in the snow, and was too ill and weak to walk, and that the snow foil fast on him, when he felt something pull him by the coat; and then he heard the bark of a doff close by him. 4 The bov then put out his hand, and he felt .the hair of the dog; and then the dog gave him one more pull. This gave the poor boy some hope: and he took hold of the dog and drew himself out of tho snow ; but he felt that he could not stand or walk. 5. He then got upon the dog's back, and put his arms round the dog's neck ; and thus he held on He felt sure the do£ did not mean to hurt him ; and he rode on the dog's back all the way to the house of the good men, who took care of the hoy till tho snow was gone, and then sent Liui to his own home. 54 OUR OWN FIRST READER* Close friends which youth sleep clothes health shame pray while strength gifts Young tiling should be-fore' EVENING PRAYER. 1. At the close of the day, before you go to sleep, you should not fail to pray to God to keen you "from sin and from harm. 2. You ask your friends for food and drink, and books and clothes ; and when they awe you these things, you thank them, and love them for the good they do you. 3. So yon should ask your God for those things which he can give you, and which no one else can give you. 4. You should ask him for life, and health, and strength ; and you should pray to him to keep your feet from the ways of sin and shame. 5. You should thank him for all his good gifts; and learn, while young, to put your trust in him; and the kind care of OUR OWN FIRST READER. £5 God will be with you, loth in your youth and in your old a^e. JLESSOX X2LI. wrong each nev'-or vcr'-y wh 1 > tease gcn'-tle oth'-ers voting child care'-iul oth'-er EE CAREFUL IN FLAY. 1. In your play be very careful Not to give er.oh other pain ; And if others hurt or tense you, Never do the like to them. 2. God will love the child that 's gentle. And who tries to do no wrowsr: You must learn then to be caiefuJ, Now while you are very young. LKffgfll \MI, Ifough claws an'-gry vcl'-lou reach sides ]asl»'-cs about' 6 OUR OvVS PlrtST RE\D3It. tongue roams tail roars fright'- ful ver'-y with-in' pice -es TE3 LION. 1. The lion lives in a clan : he is very strong. He has a great deal of thick yellow hair about his neck. That is his mane. 2. He has very sharp claws. They would tear you to pieces. When he is very angry, he lashes his sides with his tail, and his eyes flash like tire. 3. lie roars ; how loud he roars! It is very frightful, lie shows his sharp teeth. His tongue is very rough. 4. The lion sleeps all day in his den. When it is night* he comes out and roams about to find something to eat. 5. He eats cows, and sheep, and horses; and he would eat you too, if you were within his reach. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 57 ■JE3s:>s X.LIIL Spread cloud best Waja^HMi ground loves does ris'-ing horse they sheep barn mow grass oats draw MAKING HAY. 1. The men mow the grass, and spread it on the ground; and when it is dry, they 1 call it hay. 2. They rake up the hay, and then they put it on the wagon, and the horses draw it to the barn. 3. When they see a cloud rismgj, the men must, work very fast, and put the hay in the barn, so that it may not get wet by the rain. 4. The hay is for the horse, and the cow, and the ox to eat. 6. Which does the horse love best; hay, or oats, or corn? lie loves oats hot. 6. Does the cow love oats, too? Yes. And corn, too? Yes. And do sheep love oat*? Yes. 58 OUP. OWN FIRST READER. i-esswi; xs-iv. Goose strong sense scent great catch match boasts tricks bod'-y fann'-yard fox'-cs sharp'-er chick'-ens cuii -nmg THE FOX. them-sclves 1. The fox is like a dog in the shape of ,.~. Ills body; but Lis nose is sharper than the Hose of a dog; and his ears si and up like the ears of a cat. g^BT* 2. Foxes live in the woods, and have holes in which they hide themselves. 3. A fox will eat chickens and geese from a firm yard, if he can catch them. 4. lie has the sense of smell as strong as the do*!*, and can scent his food or a foe a great way off 5. Of all beasts he is the most cunning. None of them is a match for his tricks; and men who hunt him for sport, find it hard to catch or kill him. OUR OWN FIRST READER. Ci) LiLSSOX XJLV. r i-»r . / » ■ « _ **C^ Laid Jmnb where fbl'-low rule what fleece cv'-or-v that harm school waii'-cd love made ea'-ger gp-jear' sure snow Ma'-ry a-itainst' « bind white gen'-tle an'-i-nial near laugh a-fraid' lil>n'_ ( .l'- ( >(| went makes teach'-or pa'-iicnt-ty MART S LAUD. 1. Mary bad a little land), Its fleece was white as snow, 60 OUR OWN FIRST HEADER. And everywhere that Mary went, The lamb was sure to &'o. » 2. He went with her to school one clay ; That was against the rule: It made the children laugh and play, To see a lamb at school, 3L So the teacher turned him out, Rut still he lingered near, And waited patiently about, Till Mary did appear. 4. And then he ran to her, and Liij His head upon her arm. As if he said, I'm not afraid, You'll keep me from all harm. 5. " What makes the lamb love Mary so?" The eager children cry; *;0 Mary loves the lamb, you know," The teacher did reply f 6. "And you, each gntle animal To you, for life, may bind. And make it follow at your call, If you are always kind," OUR OWN* FIRST READER. 61 : S^^9m Pond swan bread hand neck wings wa'-ter a'-pron flow'-ers moth'-er broth'-cr sis'-ter school teaeh'-cr brought lon<* white Kt'-tle i'-dle ncv'-er JOHN AND JANE. 1. John and Jane have conic down to the pond to see the swans. John has brought some bread to feed them. 2. One of them has come to eat from 62 oun OWN FIRST READS?. his ha'icl. Her neck is lons>, and her wings are white. How she glides through the water ! 3. Jane has her apron full of flowers. She will earrv them home to her mother, ami to her little brother and sister. 4. When John and Jane go to* school, they are never idle. They love their teacher, and always try to please her. Loan lit'-tle bod'-ies rooth'-er thinks hap'-py sor'-ry ILst'-en giv'-en nei'-ther fath'-er your-self" wo'-men ehil'-dren pret'-ty some'-thing YOURSELF, 1. I wish to tell vou something about yourself. Do you know who made you? God. Yes, God made you and put you in this pretty world to live. God made your bodv and your soul. 2. Do vou know what your bodv is? It .-■ * »/ is vour head, and neck, and your hands, OUR OWN FIRST READER. G3 aiul arms, and fcot. It is all of you that you can see and touch. Your eyes that look at your clear mother, and your ears that listen to her voice, these are parts of your body. 3. Would you not he sorry to lose any part of your body ? If you had no feet, how could you walk, and run, and | lay ? If you had no hands, what could you do? Was not God good to give you a nice little body, so that you might be happy? 4. But 1 want to tell you of something else which God has made for you. When you think about God, what part of you is it that thinks? Is it your hands or your feet? Can you think with them? No. 5. It is Your soul which thinks. When you love your father and mother, what is ?t to •' that loves them? Is it your head, or your eves, or your ears ? N««, vo» cannot love with these. You love wiili your soul. Y< u cannot see your soul, but you can think with it, and love with it, and learn with it. God made your soul, and put it in you, so that vou could love him. 64 OUIl OWN FIRST READER. 6. God has not given a soul to all crea- tures. Your little dog has no soul, neither has 'the cat, nor the horse. None of these have souls. But a\\ people have souls ; that is, men, women, and children — thev all have sonK God made their souls and their bodies. Are you glad that God gave you a soul as well as a body ? E.ESSOH SXYB9I. Sure mope pains tea'-pot half once sil'-ly kit'-ten talk much ver'-y can'-not €alf sto'-ries tir'-ed pret'-ty CAN YOU READ ? Jane. Pray, Ann, can you read ? Ann. No ; I do not like to read half so well as to play. Jane. But can you not read at all then? Ann. No, to be sure; what need have! to take so much pains with a dull book? Jane. But will you not be a silly girl, and look like a fool, if you grow up and do not know how to read 9 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 65 Ann, O, I do not care for that ; for I have got a new doll and a tea pot, and some cups and a nice bed for my doll to lie in ; and I mean to piny all day long, and do not care for my book. Will not that be a good way? , Jane. No, it is a very bad way. Why, you may as well be a dog, or a calf, or a kitten ; for they like to play, but they can- not read, just like you. Ann. Ah ! but I am not like a dou may grow wise, and know how to talk well ? Ann. But do you like, then, to sit an hour, or half an hour, with your book in your hand, and read, read, read like* a mope, and all that you may grow wise by and by ? Jane. I do not feel at all like a mope, as i 2 66 OUR OWN FIRST READER. you call it, when I sit down with my book. Oh, it is such a nice one ! full of pretty stories. I love to read in my book, of the good boys and girls, who all knew how to read ; and I mean to be like them as soon as I can. Ann. But is it not dull to try so long to learn A, B, C ; and then do you not get very tired of ab, eb, ib ? Jane. No, I do not feel it dull at all, it is more like play ; so, dear Ann, run and get your book at once ; • r you may have mine, if you like, and let me show you how to read. I am sure you will love to read when you leatn how. IESSON XMX John keep catch be-cause* wind strap pa-pa' moth'-er l^lew since mam-ma' a-gain' gone could fath'-er with-out' HEEDLESS JOHN. 1. John went out to walk with his papa OUR OWN FIRST READER. 67 ■ ajid mamma. The wind was high ; and they had not gone far when John's cap blew off. 2. " John, why can you not keep your cap on your head ? and why do you hold it on so ? " 3. " Why, papa," said John, a I have no strap on my cap." % 4. " But where is the strap ? You had one once ; have you lost it since you cam£ out ? " 5. "No, papa; I have not lost it; 1 have left it at home. It came off the last time I wore my cap. I did not think to. » put it on, and came out without it." 6. John soon felt he could not keep his cap on his head. His hand got cold. He could not hold the cap. Just then came a great gust of wind and blew it off again. He ran to pick it up, but could not catch it. Ha ran as fast as he could ; and just as he got near it, down he fell in the mud. 7. His papa now said, " John, you must go back. You are not fit to be seen. You are covered with mud from head to foot. 68 R OWN FIRST REA >EK. You did wi >ng to come from home with no strap on your cap." 8. So John lost a nice walk with his father and mother, because he did not put the strap on his cap again, when it came off. With-out' play'-things drum'-ming jor'-row tit'-er-ed fa'-vor-ite smiled sadly, y\m con- tinued — " i a sister J, ice; she was older thai 1 was, and a vol aul\ sister too." 4. "Onee she was taken v e\\ and for a time we thought we shoi Id lose her; but at last she grew a litth (iter, and could bear to sit una little, or 1! on a loiittse: but we children hid to keep v ill while in her room, 5. " One evening I was sitting with her, and I commenced drumming o the window pane, which was my favour! t- usement. Presently, I heard her say, * Piease, don 9 t do that ; it makes mv head a< ••■■• so badlv/ 6. u I was not often unkind to my sister, but I was in a bad humour then and I had been during the whole afternoon, so 1 replied, • O, very well ; I see I'm in tho way here: if I goto tho parlour, I can no I stir, because they have company; and with von. if I make the ! ast Uoise, your head cln s.' and so saving I left the room." 7. Here tlie speakert voice IterWl as ^he said, fci I n aw my sister any mo XO OUR OWN FIRST READER. The next morning I started away early, before she was awake, to be gone for a few (Jays. Very soon I was sent for to come Home, because my sister's illness had re- turned, and when I reached there, she was standing ;it the win low, saw right be! u him the swing Irni ^ing between twn ees at the bottom <>'' the garden. 74 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 4. " If I swung a little," he said to him- self, " nobody would know it. I will only have just one turn." 5. So he ran into the garden, and climbed into the swing. Great was his joy for a few minutes, and he could not help crying between each swing, " I wonder why father said this morning that I must not swing." 6. All at once the cord broke! The child fell to the ground. His mother, terrified, ran out with a servant; they lifted him up and carried him into the house. The poor little fellow had broken his arm. 7. His sorrow was very bitter when he saw his mother's grief; he had, too, to bear a great deal of pain when the doctor " set" the arm ; but what vexed him most was to see his father come home at night, bringing a beautiful rope, quite new, intended to secure against accident the beloved son whom that day he had been obliged to deprive of a pleasure that had become dan- gerous. 8. Dear children, your parents also find themselves sometimes obliged to refuse your OUR OWN FIRST READER. 76 requests. Have confidence in their love, and in their wisdom, without always seeking to know why they refuse. 9. When you are older, you will see that our kind heavenly Father does the same with us. He does not always grant us all we ask, because He knows that it will he hurtful to us. Trust, then, and with greater reason, His love and His wisdom, when you cannot understand the motives of His deal- ings with you. 10. We often ask for. things which, if they were granted, would prove to us what the swing was to the little boy; and our disobedience is sure to produce only bitter fruits. liKNNO* 1,1V. Near'-est neat'-ness brisk'-ly nois'-y wor'-thy satch'-el pun'-ish be-hold' ring'-lets teach'-er neg-lects' good'-ness re-gard' min'-ute dil'-i-gent quick'-ens 76 OUR OWN FIRST READER, $&<>:•«■ (<•■.• >=v* c - THB DILIGENT SCHOLAR. 1. Who is lie that leaves his bed early in the morning, eager to prepare his lessons for the day ? He comes forth clothed in the dress of neatness. 2. His -top is light and active. The glow of health is on his rosy cheeks. His well- combed hair hangs in ringlets round his neck. On his lips are the words of truth and candour: for goodness dwells in his heart. 3. He is the diligent and worthy scholar. Behold hitp, as he comes across the green, with his satchel of books in his hand. How briskly he -walks! He does not stop to take the rtM'ht hand nor the left* r*r- OUR OWN FIRST READ. 77 4. IT ■ k \ -)\vs which is the n arest way to his school, and lie scorns to turn away from it. lie cl > -\s not regard yon crowd of idle boys: his ear does not listen to their noisy games. 5. Ho quickens his step, lest lip should be a minute after school-time. He docs not fear his teacher will punish him; for he neglects not anv of his duties. 6. He loves learning, and he loves those who teach him. He looks upon them as his best friends, from whoso good counsel he hopes to derive the means of being useful and happy. 7. Happy are the parents of such a son. Joy and gladness are theirs. His name shall be crowned with honors, by the vir- tuous and the good, when the pious coun- sels of his father and mother heard no more, and their heads are laid the silent grave. Fleece hoa'-ver fur'-nish al-thoujrh' thick shel'-ter irrow'-ii m'-ed 78 OUR OWX FIKST P.EADEH. waves rab'-bit coun'- tries t4m-self scratch gar'-ment cloth'-i ng feath'-efs CLOTHING. 1. The sheep has a fleece to keep him warm. The beaver has a thick fur. The horse has 'hair, 'and a fine mane; How it flows over his neck, and waxes in the wind ! The ox also is clothed with hair. 2. The ducks have feathers ; thick, close feathers. Puss has a warm fur: put your hands upon it : it is like a muff. The snail has a shell to shelter him from the cold. 3. Has the little boy got anything? No ; nothing but a soft skin : a pin would scratch it and make it bleed; poor little naked boy ! 4. But the little boy has got many things; fur, and wool, and hair, and fea- thers. Your coat is made of warm wool, shorn from the sheep ; your hat is the fur of the rabbit and the beaver; and your shoes are made of skin. 5. Look at this green, tall plant : do you think it could be formed into a garment? OUR OWN FIRST READER. 79 When it is made into cloth, it is called linen ; and a part of your dress is made of linen. 6. So, then, a part of your dress, that you now wear, was once growing in the field. In some countries, they make clothes from the bark of trees. 7. Men can make things : the sheep and ducks can not spin and weave \ and this is the reason why the little boy has only his soft skin : the little boy, then, must not be idle ; for although he is but a small child now, yet he will one day be a man, and must learn to furnish himself with clothing. LESSON ErtT. Fields lone'-ly un-told' lan'-guage faint larg'-er em-brace' dis-tress' mer'-ry for'-ests war'-bler nourMsh-ed gpld'-en ex-press' stout'-est do-main' WATER. I. Two-thirds and more of Earth's broad Old Ocean holds in his embrace, [face 80 OUR OWN" FIRST READER. And thus is filled the large? spaee With water. 2. There 's not a plant that blooms on eairth, There 5 s not a living; thins; of worth, Bat what it owes its very birth To water. 3. The stoutest tree of all the wood, That has the storms of ages stood, If it could speak, would tell the good Of water. 4. The forests in their vast domain, The fields that yield their golden grain, Are nourished by the gentle rain ; By water. 5. The merry warbler of the air, The lion in his lonely lair, Would faint and die without his share Of water. 6. And man ! What language could express The depth of his untold distress, Were God no longer him to bless With water. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 81 EJ2SSOX IiVBff. Kind'-est re-gard' eare'-less bless'-ings thank'-ful be-seech' feel'-ings sin-cere 7 sure'-ly im-plore' de-sires' mis'-deeds there -fore sick'-ness hard'-ships grate'-fu] PRAYER AND PRAISE. 1. My dear child, you will shortly arrive at an age when you must no longer think and act as a child, but must "put awav childish things." 2. Let me, therefore, beseech you to bear in mind, that both good and evil are before you, and that unless, with a sincere heart, you choose and love the one, you will surely be the victim of the other. 3. The first step you must take, is to waken your mind to a sense of the great task you have to fulfil. It is a source of deep regret that so many perform the duty of praise and prayer, not with joy, and love, and grateful feelings, but in a cold and care- less manner. 4. When you offer up your praise to the 82 OUR OWN FIRST READER. Most High, confide to this kindest of fathers all the wishes and desires of vour heart; but. at the same time, submit them all to His -will, and freely leave it to His divine wisdom to dispose of you, and all that belongs to you. 5. Thank him for His blessings; and even should He think fit to punish you, you must still be thankful ; for, rely on it, it is an act of His mercy, meant for your good. 6. Implore Him to direct and assist you in all hardships and trials ; to comfort and support you in sickness and sorrow ; and to preserve you, by His grace, from falling into the danger of sin, in the hour of joy and health. 7. Forget not to beseech Him to forgive you your faults and misdeeds during the day, and to protect and defend you from all evil by night; and do this, not merely in formal words, but "in spirit and in truth ; " in grateful love and humble praise. 8. In youth, the feelings are warm and open ; the heart should then admire what is great, and melt at proofs of tender OUR OWN FIRST READER. 8H regard ; and where can be found art object so proper to excite these feefings as the Father of the world, and the Giver of all good. E.ESSWS 1,1111. Wall comb mind please ball plumes still makes must brought stand grew stood bright worm within THE VAIN COCK. The cock stood on a high wall, and he said: " No one is so tall as I am. No onr has such fine plupies, or such a bright-red comb. The hens all mind what I say. 1 call them and they come. I give them a worm to eat, and I stand by and say, c Eat it, eat it, my good hens, do not mind me ; do not be shy. I am very glad to see you like it. I can find you more when I pleas "That cock makes such a noise/' said a man who came into the yard, " that 1 musi kill him, if he does not be qfcuet." The 84 OUR OWN FIRST READER. cock heard what he said, and got down from the wall, and hid in the barn. Here he would have had no food, but the hens found him, and brought him some. He grew quite meek and still ; and when he got on the wall, it was to see that the man was out of sight. If he was far off, the cock would give one long crow, and then run back to the barn as fast as he could ; but if he were within sight or hear- ing, master cock had nothing to say. LESSON MX. When seed husk skin great seems while shoots again stand green know forget ground some young DEATH AND HEAVEN. When we put seed into the ground, it seems to die, but it is only the husk or skin that dies. The part that is alive shoots up, and soon a little leaf is seen above the ground. So it will be with us. Though our bodies die, and are hid out of sight OUR OWN FIRST READER. 8d deep in the ground, yet they will rise again on that great day when the great God will call us all to appear before His judgment- seat, to give an account of ourselves. We know that some die while they are very young, and some do not die till they are very old ; but we often forget that each of us will die, and we do not know how soon that may be. Let us pray, therefore, that God in His infinite mercy would forgive us our sins, and lit us to appear before Him at the great day when He shall judge the world. We all sin against the great and holy One, He has said in His holy Word, the Bible, The soul that sinneth it shall die, and that the wages of sin is death — so that it would be just if we were all to die ; but God sent His only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to die the death of the cross, that we, through Him, might inherit eternal life. M>*0! LX. i Once silver gvei\ because stable apples biscui afraid \6 OUR OWN FIRST READER. softly P on y stall long round tame might master OUR PONY. We once had a pony, and his name was Silver-tail. He had this name given him because he had some white hairs in his tail. He was very plump n-ml very tame. When we went into his stable, he would turn round in his stall and give us a look, as much as ro say, Please give me something to eat We fed him with apples, or biscuits, or oats. No one was afraid of Silver-tail. He took the food so softly out of your hand, and was so gentle. He would run after his master when he was loose, and push his nose into his pocket to try and find a biscuit there. . Once he was permitted to come into the house, On the table stood a plate of biscuits^ and when he saw them he walked round the table, took a biscuit out of the plate, and ate it up c There never was such a pony for biscuits. At last Silver-tail went to a new home. We were very sorry to part with him, but he soon made friends in his OUR OWN FIRST READER, 87 new home. He had a large field where he ate grass, and in the field was a horse. Silver-tail became very fond of it, and would try to do everything he saw him do. One day the horse ran across the field, and sprang over awide brook that flowed through it. Silver-tail looked after him, and thought he could do the same. So down the field he went, as fast as he could; but when he tried to jump, his legs were so short that he could not do it, and he went splash into the middle of the water. WEKNWX E.M. Listen kitchen patient active truthful people written talkative clock though many stood place pointer reach tick THE old KITCHEN i LOCK. 1. Listen to the kitchen dock. To itself it seems f<> talk : From its place it uever walks; " Tick-tock, tick-took :" This |8 what it says. 88 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 2. " I 'm a very patient clock, Never moved by hope or fear, Though I 've stood for many a year ; Tick-tock, tick-tock : " This is what it says. 3. " I 'm a very active clock, For I go while you're asleep, Though you never lake a peep ; Tick-tock, tick-tock : " This is what it says. 4. " I 'm a very truthful clock; People say, about the place, Truth is written on my face ; Tick-tock, tick-tock : " This is what it says. 5. What a talkative old clock ! Let us see what it will do, When the pointer reaches two ; " Ding-ding ;" " tick-tock !" This is what it does. OUR OWN FIRST READER. 89 I;E$$<25$ VjXII. Happy mother brother sister under never makes others forget little should good whatever another love joy FAMILY AFFECTION. How happy it makes me to have so many to love, i have a father and a mother who are good to me, and whom I love more than all other Tl ; rget me, bui are ever I to care for me, and give me what- ever is good for n I should ever I them, and never ['<>v i hal have done forme. Who would not 1« •• yO OUR OWN FIRST READER. a father and mother ? what child could be so bad as to make them sad, or to disobey therm and vet how many are there that do. After my father and mother comes brother Ned and my shy little sister Ann. They play with me all day, and when I get a new book, they leave their toys and Ave all sit down and look at the pictures, while mother does her work ; see, here we are in the pic- ture at the head of this lesson. After my parents I should love my brother and sister, and never do to them what I would not have them do to me, for this is the golden rule, and father says that brothers and sisters should not live like cats and dogs, but we should be glad to do good to one another, and make each other happy. We have one other pretty little brother, who is father's pet now, and mother's too. They take more care of him than of us, as he is so little vet, and cannot help himself, as we can. When we were as little as our pretty little brother we were pets too, and father and mother took as good care of us as they now do of our little brother, God says we must love OUR OWN FIRST READER. 91 one another, and be kindly affectioned one to another, that we must obey our par- ents, love God, and that we must pray to Him to give us new hearts and keep us from sin; and that if we love Him and obey His commandments that He will take us to heaven to sit at His right hand and sing praises for ever with the angels. Oh, how happy we shall then be ! May God make us good little boys and girls. IiKSSOX 1 \fill Above family loving raise agree forget pleasing saints angry forgive p raise scorn blessed gentle prayer 1 1 ase children kindness quarrel pleased Tin: good CHILD. ]. The Lord above is pleased to sec A little familj ; And will !)<■ vw the prayer and prais Which '' 92 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 2. For love and kindness please Him more. Than if we gave Him all our store ; And children here, who dwell in love, • Are like His holy saints above. 3. The gentle child that tries to please, That hates to quarrel, fret, and tease, And will not say an angry word — That child is pleasing to the Lord. 4. Good Lord ! forgive whenever we Forget Thy will and disagree ; And grant that each of us may find, The blessedness of being kind. IjESSOM E.XIV. SCRIPTURE SELECTION THE NEW JERUSALEM, OR HEAVEN. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. ouk owjn first iiEADi::t. :;; And I heard a great voice out of heaven, .saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall he his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God .shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away. And I saw no temple therein ; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it ; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day; for there shall be no night there. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever vorketh abomination, or maketh a lie : hut Jiey which are written in the Lamb's book >f life. 94 OUR OWN FIRST READER. And there shall be no more curse ; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face. THE BIBLE. The whole Bible is divided into two parts: can you tell me what these two parts are called ? The Old Testament, which is the first part of the Bible; and The New Testa- ment, which is the latter part of the Bible. How are the Old and New Testaments divided ? They are both divided into parts, which are called books. How are the books divided? They are divided into chapters. How are the chapters divided ? They are divided into verses. How were the books of the Bible written ? Generally each book was written by one man, who wrote in it just what God told OUR OWN FIRST READER. 95 him, and nothing else; another book was written by another man, and so on, till all the Bible was written, and had in it every- thing which God wished to have in it, and all that He saw was necessary that we should have in it, in order to know His will, and to do it. How r many books are there in the Bible ? There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament, and twenty-seven books in the New Testament. What are the names of the books of the Old Testament? 1. GENESIS. 2. EXODUS. 3. LEVITICUS. 4. NUMBERS. 5. DEUTERONOMY. 6. JOSHUA. 7. JUDGES. 8. RUTH. 9. I. SAMUEL. 10. II. SAMUEL. 11. I. KINCS. 12. II. KINGS. 13. I. CHRONICLES. 14. II. CHRONICLES. 15. EZRA. 16. NEHBMIAH. 17. ESTHBB 18. JOB. 19. PSALMS. 20. PROVERBS. 21. ECCLESIASTES. 22. SONG OF SOLOMON. 23. ISAIAH. 24. JEREMIAH. 25. LAMENTATIONS. 26. EZEKIEL. 27. DANIEL. 28. HOSEA. 29. JOEL 30. AMOS. 31. OBADIAH. 32. JONAH. MICAH. 34. NAHUM. 96 OUR OWN FIRST READER. 35. HABAKKUK. 37. HAGGAI. 36. ZEPHANIAH. 38. ZECHARIAH. 39. MALACHI. Which are the books of the New Testa- ment? 1. MATTHEW. 14. II. THESSALONIANS. 1 MARK 15. I. TIMOTHY. 3. LUKE. 16. II. TIMOTHY. k JOHN. 17. TITUS. •->. THE ACTS. 18. PHILEMON. 6. ROMANS. 19. HEBREWS. 7. I. CORINTHIANS. 20. JAMES. a II. CORINTHIANS. 21. I. PETER. 9. GALATIANS. 22. II. PETER. 10. EPHESIANS. 23. I. JOHN. 11. PHILIPPIANS. 24. II. JOHN. 12. COLOSSIANS. 25. III. JOHN. 1.3. I. THESSALONIANS. 26. JUDE. 27. REVELATION. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. II. Timothy 3: 16." Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II, Peter 1 : 21. The Holy Scriptures which are &ble to make thee wise unto salvation. II. Tim. 3: 15. THE END. | Our Own Series of School Books. f V PRE1ARED BY 5 $ Richard Sterling, A. M., & J. D. Campbell, A. M. £ >> CONSISTING OP fr •) 1. Our Own Primer. For the children. 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