I £3 Ta« regi*tr&««B ef «tt» *erk aa« vi*ica f«r filing ea tae «B«lv»» *f the Lifcray ©f Ceagr«»*« Class__3- Book &1 9 10 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. A Year of Beautiful Thoughts COMPILED BY JEANIE A. B. GREENOUGH Compiler of " At Dawn of Day" etc. « Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts." — Ruskin. NEW YORK THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO. PUBLISHERS x Copyright, 1902, By George W. Jacobs & Co. Copyright, 1910, By THOMAS Y. CROWELL & CO. Received from Copyright Office. JUN 7 1910 To My Loved and Loving Bertha. Beautiful Thoughts. January 1. But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three ; and the greatest of these is love, — I Cor. xiii. 13 (r. v.). A happy New Year to all ! Happy may it be through all the frosty winter days, the breezy March, the budding spring-time, and the blossoming summer, — happy through the golden autumn days, and happy through the Christmas month, to the very end I How can it be made truly happy ? May it not by walking hand in hand with the beautiful angel, Love ? Love will make us wish nothing so much as to please our kind heavenly Father who loves us and watches over every moment of our lives. Love will make us gentle and helpful to every one about us, and kind to every living thing. Let us ask God to send the Love-angel to walk at our side, and we shall surely have a happy year. THE CHILD AND THE YEAR. Said the child to the youthful year, " What hast thou in store for me, O giver of beautiful gifts, — what cheer, What joy dost thou bring with thee ? " *• My seasons four shall bring Their treasures ; the Winter's snows, The Autumn's store and the flowers of Spring, And the Summer's perfect rose. 7 8 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. '* All these, and more, shall be thine Dear child, — but the last and best Thyself must earn, by a strife divine If thou would' st be truly blest. " Would' st know this last best gift ? 'Tis a conscience clear and bright, — A peace of mind which the soul can lift To an infinite delight. ••Truth, patience, courage and love, If thou unto me canst bring, I will set thee all earth's ills above, O child, and crown thee a king." Celia Thaxter. January 2. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. — Eccl. ix. 10. "Mother," said Anna, on New Year's day, "my teacher wants me to' choose a text to be my motto for the coming year ; what shall it be ? " "It is hard to choose among so many good texts," said mother; "how would you like 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might ' ? ' Whatso- ever ' includes everything, — every duty, every kindness, every self-denial, everything that you are able to do." "That is just the thing," said Anna; "I will have the text printed and hung up, to remind me of my what- soever. " "Here is one of my whatsoevers," thought she, the next day, as she saw a little lost child crying, and led her home. "Here is another 'whatsoever,' " and she helped a poor lame woman to cross the street. She found her "whatsoevers," as she called them, every day, — helping mother, father, sister, brother, — every one who needed her kindness. Boys and girls, try to find whatsoevers, with wide-open eyes, and to do them with your might, for Jesus' sake. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 9 LOVE'S GARDEN. There is a quiet garden From the rude world set apart ; Where seeds for Christ are growing, — This is the loving heart. The tiny roots are loving thoughts, — Sweet words, the fragrant flowers, Which blossom into loving deeds, — Ripe fruits for harvest hours. Thus in our hearts the seeds of love Are growing, year by year ; And we show our love for Christ our Lord By loving His children here. Ellen R. Field. January 3. The words of the pure are pleasant words. — Prov. xv. 26. Only a few sweet loving words, — that is all; but, coming from the heart and going to the heart, they would brighten many a life, and comfort many a soul, as the speaker of them little knows. Let us not be so chary of them. Mary H. Perkins. PLEASANT WORDS. If any little word of mine May make a life the brighter, If any little song of mine May make a heart the lighter, — God help me speak the little word And take my bit of singing And drop it in some lonely vale To set the echoes ringing ! IO A Tear of Beautiful 'Thoughts. January 4. Children's children are the crown of old men ; and the glory of children are their fathers. — Prov. xvii. 6. I asked a little boy last evening if he had called his grandpapa to tea. " Yes," he replied; "when I went to call him, he was asleep, and I didn't know how to wake him. I didn't want to halloo at grandpapa, or to shake him; so I kissed his cheek, and that woke him very softly. Then I ran into the hall, and said, pretty loud, — ' Grandpa, tea is ready ' ; and he never knew what woke him." GRANDPAPA. Grandpapa's hair is very white, And grandpapa walks but slow ; He likes to sit in his easy-chair While the children come and go : "Hush, play quietly," says mamma, — " Let nobody trouble dear grandpapa." Grandpapa's hand is thin and weak, It has worked hard all his days ; A strong right hand and an honest hand, That has won all good men's praise. " Kiss it tenderly," says mamma, " Let every one honor grandpapa." Grandpapa's eyes are growing dim. They have looked on sorrow and death ; But the love-light never went out of them, Nor the courage and the faith. "You children, all of you," says mamma, " Have need to look up to grandpapa." Grandpapa's years are wearing few, But he leaves a blessing behind, — A good life lived, and a good fight fought, True heart and equal mind : "Remember, my children," says mamma, ■■ You bear the name of your grandpapa." Dinah Muloch Craik. A Year of Beautiful 'Thoughts, 1 1 January 5. Be ready to every good work. — Titus iii. 1. The world needs nothing more than it needs happi- ness-makers. James R. Miller. " God gives us all some small sweet way To set the world rejoicing." SOMETHING EACH DAY. Something each day, — a smile, It is not much to give ; But the little gifts of life Make sweet the days we live : The world has weary hearts, That we can bless and cheer, And the smile for every day Makes sunshine all the year. Something each day, — a word,- We cannot know its power ; It grows in fruitfulness As grows the tender flower ; What comfort it may bring Where all is dark and drear ! For a kind word every day Makes pleasant all the year. Something each day, — a deed Of kindness and of good To link in closer bonds All human brotherhood, — O, thus the heavenly will We all may do while here ! For a good deed every day Makes blessed all the year. 12 A Year of Beautiful 'Thoughts. January 6. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. — Phil. iv. 6. I can do nothing without the help of God, and that even from moment to moment. St. Athanasius. THE FIRST TANGLE. Once in an eastern palace wide, A little child sat weaving ; So patiently her task she plied, The men and women at her side Flocked 'round her, almost grieving. »* How is it, little one," they said, * ' You always work so cheerly ? You never seem to break your thread, Or snarl and tangle it, instead Of working smooth and clearly. " Our weaving gets so worn and soiled, Our silk so frayed and broken, For all we've fretted, wept and toiled, We know the lovely pattern's spoiled Before the king has spoken." The little child looked in their eyes, So full of care and trouble, And pity chased the sweet surprise That filled her own, as sometimes flies The rainbow in a bubble. I only go and tell the king," She said, abashed, and meekly, — You know," he said, "in everything''* — Why, so do we ! " they cried, '* we bring Him all our troubles weekly ! " A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 13 She turned her little head aside, — A moment let them wrangle, — Ah, but," she softly then replied, I go and get the knot untied At the first little tangle ! " Oh, little children, — weavers all ! Our broidery we spangle With many a tear that need not fall, If on our King we would but call At the first little tangle! Anna F. Burnham. January 7. Teach me thy way, O Lord, aud lead me in a plain path. — Psa. xxvii. 11. Those who travel among the Swiss mountains, or through the deserts of the East, need a guide. Not knowing the way, nor its dangers, they need some one who has been over the whole way before, and can guide them safely. God knows all the dangers of our life from its beginning to its end, and He offers to be our Guide. He says, — "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go : I will guide thee with Mine eye." Let us thank Him for His sweet promise, and follow Him closely all our life long. A PRAYER. Lead us, Heavenly Father, Lead us, Shepherd kind ; We are only children Weak, and young, and blind. All the way before us Thou alone dost know ; Lead us, Heavenly Father, Singing as we go. 14 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts, Lead us, Heavenly Father, In our opening way, — Lead us in the morning Of our little day : While our hearts are happy, While our souls are free, May we give our childhood As a song to Thee. ***** Brooke Herford. January 8. Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. — Ex. xx. 12. For unwearying patience and unchanging tenderness, the love of a true mother stands next to the love of our Father in heaven. And, perhaps, just because it is so constant, — because we "get used " to it, — we sometimes fail to show how much we appreciate it. "All I am, my mother made me,", said John Quincy Adams, when president of the United States. O, be loyal, be true, be loving to your mother, dear boys and girls, and be proud to show how much you love her ! A BOY'S PROMISE. The school was out, and down the street A noisy crowd came thronging : The hue of health, a gladness sweet, To every face belonging. Among them strode a little lad, Who listened to another, And mildly said, half grave, half sad, — " I can't — I promised mother." A Year of Beautiful thoughts. 15 A shout went up, a ringing shout, Of boisterous derision ; But not one moment left in doubt That manly, brave decision. " Go where you please, — do what you will," He calmly told the other ; " But I shall keep my word, boys, still ; I can't, — I promised mother." Ah, who can doubt the future course Of one, who thus had spoken ? Through manhood's struggle, gain and loss, Could faith like this be broken ? God's blessing on that steadfast will, Unyielding to another, That bears all jeers and laughter still, Because he promised mother ! George Cooper. January 9. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day ; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable ; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words : then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. — Isa. lviii. 13, 14. Have you ever thought what a great blessing the Sab- bath is? Perhaps not, for children sometimes tire of keeping quiet and of trying not to break the fourth com- mandment. But, oh ! did it never come, how the busy, tired world would miss it ! I think we should all feel we had lost something very precious. Dean Farrar says, "Very few of us, I fear, think enough of God." On the Sabbath, there is rest, and time to think and read of God, and to hear and sing of Him. Let us never forget to thank God for the Sabbath. It is ours. God has given it to us for our best good ; and, while we are thanking Him for it, we must not forget how many there are who know nothing about it, and let us pray for them. 1 6 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. SWEET SABBATH BELLS. O sweet Sabbath bells ! A message of musical chiming Ye bring us from God, and we know what you say ; Now rising, now falling, so tunefully calling His children to seek Him and praise Him to-day. The day we love best ! The brightest and best of the seven, The pearl of the week, and the light of our way ; We hold it a treasure, and count it a pleasure To welcome its dawning, and praise Him to-day. O sweet Sabbath rest ! A gift of our Father in heaven, — A herald sent down from the Home far away, With peace for the weary, and joy for the dreary ; Then, oh ! let us thank Him and praise Him to-day ! January 10. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. — Prov. iii. 3. Write your name in kindness, love and mercy. Good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven. Thomas Chalmers. FROST PICTURES. Pictures on the window, Painted by Jack Frost, Coming at the midnight, With the noon are lost ; Here, a row of fir-trees, Standing straight and tall ; There, a rapid river, And a waterfall ; A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 1 7 Here, a branch of coral, From the briny sea ; There, a weary traveler, Resting 'neath a tree ; Here, a grand old iceberg Floating slowly on ; There, a mighty forest Of the torrid zone ; Here, a swamp, all tangled, — Rushes, ferns and brake ; There, a rugged mountain, Here, a little lake ; Thus, a breath, the lightest Floating on the air, Jack Frost catches quickly, And imprints it there. And, thus, you are painting, Little children, too, On your life's fair window Always something new. But your little pictures Will not pass away, Like those Jack Frost's fingers Paint, each winter day. Each kind word or action Is a picture bright ; Every duty mastered Is lovely, in the light ; But each thought of anger, — Every word of strife, Blemishes the picture, — Stains the glass of life. Then, be very careful, Every day and hour, Lest unseemly touches Trace your window o'er ; Let the lines be always Made by kindness bright ; Paint your glass with pictures Of the true and right. 1 8 A Year of Beautiful 'Thoughts. January 11. / can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. — Phil. iv. 13. A life need not be great to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty in a tiny flower, as in a majestic tree, — in a little gem, as in a great mountain. . . . A beautiful life is one that fulfils its mission, — that is, what God made it to be, and does what God made it to do. James R. Miller. LOVING AND GIVING. Lord, teach us the lesson of loving. The very first lesson of all ; O Thou who dost love little children How tender and sweet is Thy call ! Now help us to hear it, and give Thee The love Thou art asking to-day : Then help us to love one another, — For this we most earnestly pray. Lord, teach us the lesson of giving, For this is the very next thing ; Our love always ought to be showing What offerings and fruits it can bring. There are many who know not Thy mercy ; There are millions in darkness and woe : Our prayers and our gifts all are needed, And all can do something, we know. January 12. And let us not be weary in well-doing. — Gal. vi. 9. WHAT MARY GAVE. She gave an hour of patient care to her little baby sister. She gave a string and crooked pin and some good advice to the three-year-old brother who wanted to play at fishing. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 1 9 She waited upon the door, that Ellen, the maid, might have a precious hour to visit her sick baby at home, — for Ellen was a widow, and left her • child with its grand- mother, while she worked to get bread for both. But this is not all that Mary gave. She looked so bright, and kind, and obliging, that she gave her mother a thrill of pleasure whenever she caught sight of the young face. She wrote a letter to her absent father, and gave patient attention to a long story from her grandmother, and, when it was ended, made her happy by a good-night kiss. Thus Mary had given valuable presents to six persons, in one day, and yet she had not a cent. THE GIRLS THAT ARE WANTED. The girls that are wanted are home-girls, — Girls that are mother's right hand, That fathers and brothers can trust in. And the little ones understand ; Girls that are fair on the hearthstone, And pleasant, when nobody sees ; Kind and sweet to their own folk, — Ready and anxious to please. The girls that are wanted are wise girls, That know what to do and to say ; That drive with a smile or a soft word The gloom of the household away. The girls that are wanted are good girls, — Good girls from the heart to the lips ; Pure, as the lily is white and pure, From its heart to its sweet leaf-tips. January 13. Beloved, let us love one another. — 1 John iv. 7. These words were written by John, the " beloved dis- ciple of Christ." He lived a long, beautiful life of love and faithfulness to God. It is said that, when too old and feeble to preach, he yet went into the church at Ephesus, and spoke these parting words : "Little chil- dren, love one another " 20 A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. A little girl, with a happy look, Sat slowly reading a ponderous book, All bound with velvet, and edged with gold, And its weight was more than a child could hold ; Yet dearly she loved to ponder it o'er, And every day she prized it more ; For it said : — and she looked at her smiling mother, It said : " Little children, love one another." She thought it was beautiful, in the book, And the lesson home to her heart she took. She walked on her way with a trusting grace, And a dove-like look in her meek young face, Which said, just as plain as words could say, "The Holy Bible I must obey ; " " So, mamma, I'll be kind to my darling brother, For little children must love each other. " I am sorry he's naughty, and will not play, But I'll love him still ; for I think the way To make him gentle and kind to me Will be better shown, if I let him see I strive to do what I think is right, And thus, when we kneel in prayer to-night, I will clasp my arms about my brother And say, ' Little children, love one another.' " The little girl did as her Bible taught, And pleasant, indeed, was the change it wrought ; For the boy looked up in glad surprise, To meet the light of her loving eyes : His heart was full ; he could not speak, But he pressed a kiss on his sister's cheek ; And God looked down on the happy mother, Whose little children loved one another. Fanny. January 14. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth : keep the door of my lips. — Psa. cxli. 3. Let your words be few and sweet, few and good, few and simple, few and sincere, few and pleasant. Maxim of St. Francis de Sales. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 21 WORDS. One day a harsh word, rashly said, Upon an evil journey sped, And, like a sharp and cruel dart, It pierced a fond and loving heart ; It turned a friend into a foe, And everywhere brought pain and woe. A kind word followed it one day, — Flew swiftly on its blessed way ; It healed the wound, it soothed the pain, And friends of old were friends again ; It made the hate and anger cease, And everywhere brought joy and peace. But yet the harsh word left a trace The kind word could not quite efface ; And though the heart its love regained, It bore a scar that long remained ; Friends could forgive, but not forget, Or lose the sense of keen regret. Oh, if we could but learn to know How swift and sure one word can go, How would we weigh, with utmost care Each thought, before it sought the air, And only speak the words that move Like white-winged messengers of love ! January 15. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, {that is Saviour), for he shall save his people from their sins. — Matt. i. 21. The beautiful angel said to His father and mother, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus"; so they had no trouble in choosing a name. In those days every name had a well-known meaning. It was a pretty custom, but although names still have meanings, very few people care for them now. Jesus got His name because of its mean- ing only. There is no other name so beautiful, for it means " Saviour"; the angel told Mary so, when he 22 A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. said, " Thou shalt call His name Jesus ; for He shall save His people." And when thou hearest all the kind things that Jesus did, and understandest that He saves people from wickedness, who try to be like Him, thou wilt say He well deserves His beautiful name of " Saviour." Robert Bird (From "Jesus the Carpenter "). THE BLESSED NAME. There is no name so sweet on earth, No name so dear in heaven ; As that before His wondrous birth To Christ the Saviour, given. We love to sing around our King, And hail Him blessed Jesus ; For there's no word, ear ever heard, So dear, so sweet as Jesus ! 'Twas Gabriel first that did proclaim To His most blessed mother, That name which now and evermore We praise above all other. And when He hung upon the cross They wrote His name above Him, That all might see the reason, we Forevermore must love Him. So now upon His Father's throne, Almighty to release us From sin and pains, He ever reigns, — The Prince and Saviour, Jesus ! We love to sing around our King And hail Him blessed Jesus ; For there's no word, ear ever heard, So dear, so sweet as Jesus ! George W. Bethune. January 1 6. / will delight myself in thy commandments which I have loved. — Psa. cxix. 47. " I wish I could mind God as my little dog does me," A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 23 said a little boy, looking thoughtfully on his shaggy friend, — "he always looks so pleased to mind, and I don't." Kate Upson Clark. To-morrow, I will do better than yesterday ; and all to-morrows shall be better than the yesterdays. William Dyer. SUNSHINE IN THE HOUSE. Brighter than the sunshine on a stormy April day Is the smile with which a little maid can drive her tears away : Sweeter than the music of a silver-throated bird, Comes forth her gentle answer to a wrath-provoking word ; More welcome than the perfume breathed from violet or rose Is the influence of sweetness that shall follow where she goes; And, as the little streamlet sings while watering its flowers, So she can make her work seem light, and sing through busy hours. Then set a guard on little lips, and little actions too, With sunshine bright and music sweet begin each day anew ; For nothing half so dear is found, in garden, field, or wood, As the precious little boy or girl, who's trying to be good. Clara Louise Burnham. January 17. Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother' s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye, and behold a beam is in thine own eye ? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye ; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother' s eye, — Matt. vii. 3> 4, 5- We talk so much, and we think so much more, of the trouble we have with others, that we more than half per- suade ourselves that if everybody else were just right, we could get on easily in life ; but the fact is, that more than half of all our troubles, even of our troubles with others, 24 A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. grow out of our own faults and our own failures, and not the faults and failures of other people. . . . Until we get rid of ourselves, or until we are lifted above all selfish thought of ourselves, there is continual trouble for us, however other people bear themselves. A HINT. A red glass makes everything seen through it red, While blue glass turns everything blue ; So when every one seems to you selfish and cross, Perhaps the real fault is in you ! Henrietta R. Eliot. January 18. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. . . . And I will put my spirit within you, and cause, you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. — Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. How do you grow good? God is always trying to make me good, and I try not to hinder Him. , . . He shall do with me what He pleases, and I will help Him. George Macdonald. GOOD ALL DAY. A beautiful boy, with forehead fair, And earnest eyes, and dark brown hair, Arose with the early morning light ; His soul was filled with calm delight, And he said to himself, as he knelt to pray, " I am resolved I'll be good to-day." Not a selfish act, not a look of hate, Not an unkind word to his young playmate, Did the angels hear thro' the live long day ; Oh no ! the record they bore away When they sped to heaven in the soft twilight, Was written in letters of golden light. A Tear of Beautiful 'Thoughts. 25 And when, — as the busy day was done, And the twinkling stars rose, one by one, The little boy knelt once more by his bed, — With a happy heart, he softly said, My Father, Thou'st helped me be good to-day, Oh, may I be holy and pure alway 1 ' ' And thus, dear children, if you would do right, And wish to be guarded by angels of light, You must kneel every morning in earnest prayer, And ask your Heavenly Father's care ; And then, every evening, with joy you may say, I'm happy, because I've been good to-day." January 19. Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps ? — Job xxxi. 4. How much God is like a mother ! He not only watches the footsteps of His children, but He listens to hear their cry. FEAR NOT. Yea, fear not, fear not, little ones ; There is in Heaven an Eye That looks with yearning fondness down On all the paths ye try. 'Tis He who guides the sparrow's wing, And guards her little brood ; Who hears the ravens when they cry, And fills them all with food. 'Tis He who clothes the field with flowers, And pours the light abroad ; 'Tis He who numbers all your hours, — Your Father and your God. Ye are the chosen of His love, — His most peculiar care ; And will He guide the fluttering dove, And not regard your prayer ? 26 A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts, Nay, fear not, fear not, little ones ; There is in Heaven an Eye That looks with yearning fondness down On all the paths you try. He'll keep you when the storm is wild, And when the flood is near ; O trust Him, trust Him as a child, And you have naught to fear. Hy7ims for Mothers and Children. January 20. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly. — Prov. xviii. 24. We can make it a Christian duty, not only to love but to be loving, — not only to be true friends but to show ourselves friendly. We can make ourselves say the kind things that rise in our hearts, and tremble back on our lips, — do the gentle and helpful deeds which we long to do, and shrink back from; and, little by little, it will grow easier, the love spoken will bring the answer of love, — the kind deed will bring back a kind deed in return. Harriet Beecher Stowe. AN ANSWER TO A PUZZLE. " Dear little girl, chiding the morning long, With pouting lip and eyes all wet and blue, Counting it as a hardship and a wrong That other children are more loved than you, — *' 'Tis so unjust ! " you say, " and so unkind ! " Bending the while a puzzled, angry brow, — " How can you help it ? — If you will not mind, Nor think me cruel, I will tell you how. "Sweet things from sweet, and fair from fair, must be, Hearts have their wages, reckonings strict are made ; We scold, rebel, but other people see That soon or late, we are exactly paid. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 27 " The willing love which counts not any cost, But daily lavishes its first and best, Although to careless eyes its pains seem lost, Reaps, in the end, a tenfold interest ; •' While selfish souls, who keep a strict account And tally, like a huckster in his stall, Of all they give and feel, and the amount, Get back their dues, indeed, — but that is all. " Love is not free to take, like sun and air, Nor given away for naught, to any one ; It is no common right for men to share, — Like all things precious, it is sought and won. " So, if another is more loved than you, — Say not, ' It is unjust ! ' but say, — ' If she Has earned more love than I, it is her due ; When I deserve more, it will come to me.' " But, if your longing be for love, indeed, I'll teach you how to win it, — a sure way ; Love, and be lovely ; that is all you need, And what you wish for, will be yours, some day." Susan Coolidge. January 21. Beauty is vain ; but a woman that fear eth the Lord t she shall be praised. — Prov. xxxi. 30. Beautiful thoughts make a beautiful soul, and a beau- tiful soul makes a beautiful face. LOVELINESS. Once I knew a little girl, Very plain ; You might try her hair to curl All in vain ; On her cheek no tints of rose Paled and blushed, or sought repose ; She was plain. 28 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. But the thoughts that through her brain Came and went, As a recompense for pain, Angels sent ; So, full many a beauteous thing, In her young soul blossoming, Gave content. Every thought was full of grace, Pure and true ; And in time the homely face Lovelier grew With a heavenly radiance bright From the soul's reflected light Shining through. So I tell you, little child, Plain or poor, If your thoughts are undefiled You are sure Of the loveliness of worth ; And this beauty, not of earth, Will endure. Maria Locey. January 22. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. — Matt. xi. 29. A boy's temptations are no harder for a boy than a man's temptations for a man. It is as much a boy's duty to be faithful and just and kind on the playground, or at school, or at home, as it is a man's duty to be just and honest and true, in the counting-room or in the Senate- hall. It is just as much a boy's duty to imitate the boy Jesus, as it is a man's duty to imitate the man Jesus. A BOY'S HYMN. "Just as I am," Thine own to be, Friend of the young who lovest me, To consecrate myself to Thee, O Jesus Christ, I come. A Year of Beautiful ^Thoughts. 29 In the glad morning of my day, My life to give, my vows to pay, With no reserve, and no delay, With all my heart, I come. I would live ever in the light, I would work ever for the right, I would serve Thee with all my might, Therefore to Thee I come. Just as I am," young, strong and free, To be the best that I can be For truth, and righteousness, and Thee, Lord of my life, I come. With many dreams of fame and gold, Success and joy, to make me bold ; But, dearer still, my faith to hold, For my whole life, I come. And for Thy sake to win renown, And then to take my victor's crown, And at Thy feet to cast it down, O, Master ! Lord ! I come. Marianne Farningham. January 23. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. — Matt. vi. 7. When thou prayest, remember to say little, and to mean every word. Rather do not pray at all than pray without thinking. Ask for the Holy Spirit, that He may never leave thee. Learn the prayer of Jesus, beginning : "Our Father which art in Heaven." Pray as if Jesus stood beside thee listening ; pray anywhere, and at any time, especially at evening and morning, remembering that prayer from a pure heart is sweet as the fragrance of flowers. Robert Bird. 30 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts* TRUE PRAYER. To say my prayers is not to pray Unless I mean the words I say ; Unless I think to whom I speak, And with my heart, His favor seek. Then let me, when I come to pray, Not only mind the words I say, But let me strive, with earnest care, To have my heart go with my prayer. January 24. He giveth snow like wool : he scatter eth the hoarfrost like ashes. He cast eth forth his ice like morsels : who can stand before his cold ? He sendeth out his word and melteth them ; he causeth his wi?id to blow, a?id the waters flow. — Psa. cxlvii. 16-18. It is not only that the snow makes fair what was good before, but it is a messenger of love from heaven bearing glad tidings of great joy. Hope for the future comes down in every tiny snowflake. The spring sun will mount higher and higher in the heavens ; the sweet snow will sink down into the arms of the violets ; and, at the word of the Lord, the earth shall come up once more, " as a bride adorned for her husband." Gail Hamilton. IT SNOWS. It snows ! it snows ! from out the sky The feathered flakes, how fast they fly ! Like little birds that don't know why They're on the chase from place to place, While neither can the other trace. It snows ! it snows ! a merry play Is o'er us on this heavy day. A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. 31 As dancers in an airy hall That hasn't room to hold them all, While some keep up, and others fall, The atoms shift ; then, thick and swift, They drive along to form the drift, That, weaving up, so dazzling white, Is rising, like a wall of light. But now the wind comes whistling loud v To snatch and waft it, as a cloud, Or giant phantom in a shroud ; It spreads ! it curls ! it mounts and whirls ! At length a mighty wing unfurls ; And then away ! but where, none knows Or ever will. It snows ! it snows ! To-morrow will the storm be done ; Then out will come the golden sun, And we shall see, upon the run Before his beams, in sparkling streams, What now a curtain o'er him seems. And thus with life, — it ever goes ; 'Tis shade and shine ! It snows ! it snows ! Hannah F. Gould. January 25. I will bless the Lord at all times : his praise shall con- tinually be in my mouth. — Psa. xxxiv. 1. If we lift up our eyes to heaven, God's glory shineth forth; if we cast them down upon the earth, it is full of His goodness. The hills and the valleys rejoice and sing ; fields, rivers and woods resound His praise. We will think of God when we play and when we work ; when we walk out and when we come in ; when we sleep and when we wake ; His praise shall dwell continually upon our lips. Anna L. Barbauld. 32 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. QUESTIONS. Who lights the star-lamps in the skies, When evening comes, and daylight flies? Who puts them out before the sun His fiery course has well begun ? Who wraps in sleep the gentle flowers, Through all the long, dark, wintry hours ? Who bids them ope their starry eyes, When summer's sun lights summer skies? Who scatters blossoms o'er the lea, Till all the land is fair to see ? And when the August heats are past, Who brings the ripened fruit at last ? Who binds the brook in icy chains, Hushing its laughter through the plains, Till warm days come, when bird and bee Awake their spring-tide revelry? Our loving Father in the skies, — He spreads these beauties for our eyes ; With love and gratitude each day, Shall we His tender care repay ? — G. V. S. January 26. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. — James iv. 8. Dearest, — I am sure you have lived very near to God to-day, — you have been so good and happy. Let each day be like this, and life will become a sweet song for you and all who love you, — none so much as your Mother. (Little note to Louisa M. Alcott from her mother.) A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 33 MY KINGDOM. 1 A little kingdom I possess, Where thoughts and feelings dwell ; And very hard I find the task Of governing it well ; For passion tempts and troubles me, A wayward will misleads, And selfishness its shadow casts On all my words and deeds. How can I learn to rule myself, — . \ To be the child I should,— Honest and brave, nor ever tire Of trying to be good ? How can 1 keep a sunny soul To shine along life's way? How can I tune my little heart To sweetly sing all day ? Dear Father, help me with the love That casteth out my fear ; Teach me to lean on Thee, and feel That Thou art very near, — That no temptation is unseen, No childish grief too small, Since Thou, with patience infinite Doth soothe and comfort all. I do not ask for any crown But that which all may win, Nor seek to conquer any world Except the one within. Be Thou my Guide, until I find, Led by a tender Hand, Thy happy kingdom in myself, And dare to take command. Louisa M. Alcott. 1 Written at fourteen years old. January 27. Love covereth all sins. — Prov. x. 12. Remember that love is the burden which Jesus asks thee to bear, — love, which makes all commands light, — 34 -^ Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. the love which makes thee glad to do what thy father and mother tell thee ; that is the kind of love, which thou art to have for Jesus. Robert Bird. THE TRUE ARTIST. I read a legend of a monk who painted In an old convent cell, in days gone by, Pictures of martyrs, and of virgins sainted, And the sweet Christ-face, with the crown of thorns. Poor daubs ! Not fit to be a chapel's treasure ; Full many a taunting word upon them fell ; But the good abbot let him, for his pleasure, Adorn with them his solitary cell. One night the poor monk mused : " Could I but render Honor to Christ, as other painters do, — Were but my skill as great as is the tender Love, that inspires me when His cross I view ! But no ! 'tis vain, I toil and strive in sorrow ; What man so scorns, still less can He admire ; My life's work is all valueless ; to-morrow I'll cast my ill-wrought pictures in the fire." He raised his eyes ; within his cell, O wonder ! There stood a visitor! thorn-crowned was He ; And a sweet voice, the silence rent asunder : " I scorn no work that's done for love of Me." And, 'round the walls, the paintings shone resplendent, With lights and colors to this world unknown ; A perfect beauty, and a hue transcendent That never yet on mortal canvas shone. There is a meaning in the strange old story, — Let none dare judge his brother's worth or need ; The pure intent gives to the act its glory, — The noblest purpose makes the grandest deed. A Year of Beautiful 'Thoughts. 35 January 28. Cease to do evil ; learn to do well. — Is a. i. 16, 17. If you should fail, and commit some of your old faults, do not be disheartened, but rise up and go on again, as if you had not fallen. St. Francis de Sales. A SECRET. Shall I be like grandmamma when I am old ? Shall I wear such a queer little bonnet, — No feathers, no posies, but just a plain fold, With a little white edging upon it ? Shall I sit in an easy -chair all the day long, With a great ball of wool and a stocking ? Shall I think it quite dreadful for folks to do wrong, And dirt and disorder so shocking ? Shall I wear a white cap full of dear little bows, And a row of white curls on my forehead ? Shall I keep my face clean, and take care of my clothes, And never be snappish and horrid ? Shall I think that the Bible's the nicest of books, And remember the sermon on Sunday, And not think how stupid the minister looks. And wish it would only be Monday ? Just wait till I tell you what grandma once said, — I hope you won't think I am crazy, — It happened one day when they sent me to bed, For being ill-tempered and lazy ; She came and sat by me, and patted my hand, And told me, — " There's no use in crying ; It's by stumbling, my pet, that we know how to stand, And we always grow better by trying." Was any one ever so wicked as me?" I asked her, between my sad sobbing, — Then grandmamma laughed just as hard as could be, And her little white curls went bobbing ; " Was any one ever so naughty as you ? I'm sure that I know of one other/' " Who was it? " I asked ; " oh, please tell me, do ! " She whispered, •• Your own grandmother 1 " 36 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts* Now isn't it strange ? But of course it is true, — I can tell you just one thing about it, — She'd not tell a story, whatever she'd do, And we'd only be silly to doubt it ; But, of course, I feel certain you never will tell, For how perfectly dreadful 'twould be To have people know, who all love her so well, That grandma was ever like me. January 29. This one thing I do : forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. — Phil. iii. 13, 14. Each day is a new chance given you by God. A new chance, a new leaf, a new life, — this is the golden, the unspeakable gift which each new day offers you. Frederic W. Farrar. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Over and over again, No matter which way I turn, I always find, in the book of Life Some lesson I have to learn : I must take my turn at the mill, I must grind out the golden grain, I must work at my task with a resolute will. Over and over again. We cannot measure the need Of even the tiniest flower, Nor check the flow of the golden sands That run through a single hour ; But the morning dew must fall, And the sun, and the summer rain Must do their part, and perform it all Over and over again. A Tear of Beautiful 'Thoughts. 37 Over and over again The brook through the meadow flows, And over and over again The ponderous mill-wheel goes ; Once doing will not suffice, Though doing be not in vain, And a blessing failing us once or twice May come, if we try again. The path that has once been trod Is never so rough to the feet ; And the lesson we once have learned Is never so hard to repeat. Though sorrowful tears may fall, And the heart, to its depths, be riven With storm and tempest, we need them all To render us meet for heaven. Josephine Pollard. January 30. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — Psa. cxix. 105. O, how love I thy law / it is my meditation all the day. — Psa. cxix. 97. When Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he was carried into his dining-room, that he might gaze on the beautiful river Tweed, which he so much enjoyed. He then asked his son-in-law, Mr. Lockhart, to read to him. " What book?" said Mr. Lockhart. "What book?" repeated Sir Walter; " there is but one book, — the Bible, — read that." THE BOOK. Ever would I fain be reading In the ancient, holy Book, — Of my Saviour's gentle pleading, Truth in every word and look ; 38 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. How, when children came, He blessed them, Suffered no man to reprove ; Took them in His arms and pressed them To His heart, with words of love ; How He healed the sick and dying, Heard the contrite sinner's moan, Sought the poor, and stilled their crying. Called them brothers, and His own. Still I read the ancient story, And my joy is ever new ; How for us He left His glory, How He still is kind and true. Luise Hensel (Translated by Catherine Winkworth). January 31. I would seek unto God, a?id unto God would I com?nit my cause : which doeth great things and unsearchable ; marvelous things without number ; who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields. — Job v. 8-10. The ground around us is now sheeted with snow, and the buds of the apple-orchard look as brown and still, and sealed, as if they were not within a few weeks of a glorious resurrection of green leaves and rose-tipped blossoms. But it does not follow that nothing is doing, because we hear and see nothing. In every one of these long warm days, the sun's power is gradually and silently awakening the dormant forces of the tree, whis- pering at the root, and thrilling through the branches ; and, by and by, before we think of it, what a bursting forth, what a new creation ! as if angels, descending in the night, had wreathed the trees with the roses of heaven, and left them standing altars of perfume and beauty. Harriet Beecher Stowe. A Year of Beautiful 'Thoughts. 39 TALKING IN THEIR SLEEP. ** You think I am dead," The apple-tree said, V Because I have never a leaf to show, — Because I stoop. And my branches droop, And the dull gray mosses over me grow ! But I'm all alive in trunk and shoot ; The buds of next May I fold away, — But I pity the withered grass at my root." "You think I am dead," The quick grass said, *■ Because I've not started with stem and blade : But, under the ground, I am safe and sound With the snow's thick blanket over me laid ; I'm all alive and ready to shoot, Should the spring of the year Come dancing here, — But I pity the flower without branch or root." " You think I am dead," A soft voice said, " Because not a branch or root I own ! I never have died, But close I hide In a plumy seed that the wind has sown ; Patient I wait through the long winter hours ; You will see me again, — I shall laugh at you, then, Out of the eyes of a hundred flowers." Edith M. Thomas. February 1. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient. — Jas. v. 7, 8. Many boys and girls do not know how to wait for good things. They must have their wants supplied at 40 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. once. They can scarcely wait to grow. They would be five years older than they are at their next birthday, if they could. They would get through their school-days in one year, were it possible. They want to hurry up Christmas, Fourth of July and other holidays ; they can- not wait so long for them. . . . Patient waiters are the only ones who get what they wait for. One of our noblest statesmen says, " Success is for those who know how to wait." And Longfellow writes, " All things come 'round to him who will but wait." William M. Thayer. WAIT. When the icy snow is deep, Covering the frozen land, Do the little flowerets peep To be crushed by Winter's hand? No, they wait for brighter days, Wait for bees and butterflies ; Then their dainty heads they raise To the sunny, sunny skies. When the cruel north winds sigh, When 'tis cold with wind and rain. Do the birdies homeward fly Only to go back again? No, they wait for spring to come, — Wait for gladsome sun and showers, Then they seek their northern home, — Seek its leafy, fragrant bowers. Trustful as the birds and flowers, Though our spring of joy be late, Though we long for brighter hours, We must ever learn to wait. Dora Read Goodale. A Year of Beautiful "Thoughts. 41 February 2. Stand stilly and consider the wondrous works of God. — Job xxxvii. 14. When the cold weather comes, some plants die, and some go to sleep for the winter. Look at a tree ; its branches are all bare ; it seems as if it had no life in it. But there is life there, and it will show itself next spring. Its life is asleep, its sap is all still, in the pipes; the mouths in the roots have stopped their busy work ; the buds all over the tree are asleep in their winter-cradles. The wind rocks them back and forth, but never wakes them up. As soon, in the spring, as they feel the warmth, they begin to swell, and soon go to work to make leaves, and flowers, and fruits. Some plants die down to the ground, — the beautiful snow covers them, as with a soft, warm blanket, and the roots live through the winter. This is the way with tulips and daffodils and the little crocuses that peep up so early in the spring. They come up from the roots that have been in the ground all winter. It is thus that God cares for the tender plants. WORTHINGTON HOOKER. SNOW-FLAKES. Soft— soft— soft From their cloudland home They steal, when the gray old world's at rest; Whiter they than the ocean foam, Light as the down on the eider's breast ; Soft they fall through the winter night, Dancing down by the moon's pale light. They fall— fall— fall Through the winter night, Till the gray old world is hid from sight ; They fall— fall— fall By the moon's pale light, Till the earth is robed in a robe of white. They fall— fall— fall Over all. 42 A Year of Beautiful thoughts. Then Winter his bitterest blasts may bring But the world is warm where the snow lies deep, And the snow-flakes faithful ward will keep ; And snug 'neath their snowy covering The flowers will wait for the voice of Spring. Charles L. Benjamin. February 3. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. — Acts xvii. 27. Two little girls were walking homeward one moonlight evening. I overheard one of them say : " Sister An- nie, it doesn't make any difference how fast we walk, the moon keeps up with us every step of the way ; it doesn't move at all, and yet it is always going along with us." So it is with God in heaven, — though He seems far away, He is keeping step with us in the march of life. A CHILD'S THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD. God is not very far away, He knows each thing I do or say ; In sun and stars His glories shine, Yet dwells within this heart of mine. He has no form that I can see, Yet everywhere appears to me, — In rolling prairie, leafy wood, — But more in friends so kind and good. I hear Him, too, in rustling trees, In rippling brooks and murmuring breeze, — But more in happy singing birds, In grazing flocks and lowing herds. I need not go to heaven to see The God who is so near to me ; The loneliest spot I need not fear, Since He, the Almighty, is so near. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 43 In every pleasant sound I hear His gentle voice falls on my ear; In every loving face I see, The God of heaven smiles on me. I must show forth His likeness, too, In all I think, or say, or do ; 'Tis He who loves within my heart, — I am of Him a little part. Kate Lawrence. February 4. / will both lay me down in peace and sleep ; for thou, Lord, only tnakest me dzvell in safety. — Psa. iv. 8. Earth has nothing human so gentle as true mother- love ; but God's wing that folds down over you is gentler than even mother-love, and you can never get out from beneath it. It holds you close to the gentle heart of the divine Father. You need never be afraid while resting there. James R. Miller. THE MOTHER'S CRADLE-SONG. O little child, lie still and sleep ; Jesus is near, — thou need'st not fear ; No one need fear whom God doth keep By day or night ; Then lay thee down in slumber deep Till morning light. O little child, be still and rest ; He sweetly sleeps whom Jesus keeps ; And in the morning wake so blest His child to be. Love every one, but love Him best, — He first loved thee. O little child, when thou must die, Fear nothing then, but say "Amen" To God's demand, and quiet lie In His kind Hand, Till He shall say : •' Dear child, come, fly To Heaven's bright land." 44 d Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. Then, when thy work on earth is done, Thou shalt ascend to meet thy Friend ; Jesus the little child will own, Safe at His side ; And thou shalt dwell before the throne, For He hath died. From the Swedish. February 5. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. — Pro v. xv. 3. The beautiful thing about life, is, that no matter how lowly our place is, it is in the King's sight. There are a great many things we cannot do ; we must do what we can do, especially the little duties. Margaret E. Sangster. NEVER OUT OF SIGHT. I know a little saying That is altogether true ; My little boy, my little girl, The saying is for you. 'Tis this, — O blue and black eyes, And gray, — so deep and bright, — No child in all this careless world Is ever out of sight. No matter whether field or glen, Or city's crowded way, Or pleasure's laugh, or labor's hum, Entice your feet to stray ; Some one is always watching you ; And, whether wrong or right, No child in all this busy world Is ever out of sight. Some one is always watching you, And marking what you do, To see if all your childhood's acts Are honest, brave, and true ; A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. 45 And, watchful more than mortal kind, God's angels, pure and white, In gladness or in sorrowing, Are keeping you in sight. O, bear in mind, my little one, And let your mark be high, You do whatever thing you do, Beneath God's loving eye. O, bear in mind, my precious one, And keep your good name bright, — No child upon this round, round earth Is ever out of sight. February 6. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. — Phil. ii. 5. In a cemetery, a little white stone marks the grave of a little girl. On the stone are chiseled these beautiful words: — " A child of whom her playmates said, — 'It was easier to be good when she was with us.' " THE DARLING LITTLE GIRL. Who's the darling little girl Everybody loves to see ? She it is whose sunny face Is as sweet as sweet can be. Who's the darling little girl Everybody loves to hear ? She it is whose pleasant voice Falls like music on the ear. Who's the darling little girl Everybody loves to know ? She it is whose acts and thoughts All are pure as whitest snow. 46 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts, Who's the darling little girl Christ, our blessed Lord, doth love ? She it is, who, meek and good, Daily grows like Him above. Melodies for Childhood. February 7. Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord. — Rom. xii. n. Duty may sometimes be a hard master to follow, but its reward more than makes up ; for it is always a clear conscience. Gertrude Robinson. Every slight annoyance bravely borne, strengthens you to carry a heavier burden, and your simple, daily duties faithfully performed, are preparing you for the greatest work with which God trusts His children. Remember that every day is a preparation, and the trifling success of to-day, makes possible the grand victory of to- morrow. DUTY AND INCLINATION. ' Stay at home," said Inclination, — " Let the errand wait ; " Go at once," said Duty, sternly, " Or you'll be too late." But it snows," said Inclination, — " And the wind is keen ; " Never mind all that," said Duty, — " Go and brave it, Jean." Jean stepped out into the garden, Looked up in the sky ; Clouded, shrouded, dreary, sunless, - Snow, unceasingly. A Year of Beautiful Thoughts, 47 M Stay," again said Inclination ; "Go," said Duty,— "go! " Forth went Jean, with no more waiting, Forth into the snow. You will smile if now I tell you That this quiet strife, — Duty conquering Inclination, — Strengthened all her life. February 8. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. — Jer. xiii. 23. If, in doing an act, we saw a chain winding around our bodies, we should be alarmed. But habit binds chains by every deed. William E. Channing. HOW? How shall I a habit break ? As you did that habit make. As you gathered, you must lose, As you yielded, — now refuse. Thread by thread the strands we twist Till they bind us, neck and wrist ; Thread by thread the patient hand Must untwine, ere free we stand ; As we builded, stone by stone, We must toil, unhelped, alone, Till the wall is overthrown. John Boyle O'Reilly. February 9. Trust in the Lord and do good ; so shall thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. — Psa. xxxvii. 3. "I want some one to be glad that I was born," said a lonely woman; so she celebrated her birthday by carrying gifts to others as lonely as herself, — to the poor, 48 A Tear of Beautiful 'Thoughts. the sick, and the sad. It is pleasant to be remembered, and to receive presents, but the noblest, best, and hap- piest thought that can come to us on our birthdays, is, that we can make some one happier because we were born. IN THE HEART. If no kindly thought or word We can give, some soul to bless, — If our hands, from hour to hour, Do no deeds of gentleness, — If to lone and weary ones We no comfort will impart, — Though 'tis summer in the sky, Yet 'tis winter in the heart. If we strive to lift the gloom, From a dark and burdened life, — If we seek to lull the storm Of our fallen brother's strife, — If we bid all hate and scorn From the spirit to depart, — Though 'tis winter in the sky, Yet 'tis summer in the heart. George Cooper. February 10. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul. — Prov. xvi. 24. How careful one ought to be, to be kind and thought- ful of one's old friends ! It is so soon too late to be good to them, and then one is always so grieved. Sara Orne Jewett. TO THE CHILDREN. Dear little children, wherever you be Who are watched and cherished tenderly By father and by mother ; Who are comforted by the love that lies In the kindly depths of a sister's eyes, Or the helpful words of a brother : — A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 49 I charge you, by the years to come, When some shall be far away from home, And some shall be gone forever ; By all you will have to feel at the last, When you stand alone and think of the past, That you speak unkindly never! For cruel words, — nay, even less, — Words spoken only in thoughtlessness, Nor kept against you after, — If they made the face of a mother sad, Or a tender sister's heart less glad, Or checked a brother's laughter, Will rise again, and they will be heard, And every thoughtless, foolish word That ever your lips have spoken. After the lapse of years and years, Will wring from you such bitter tears As fall when the heart is broken. Dear little innocent, precious ones, — Be loving, dutiful daughters and sons, To father and to mother ; And, to save yourselves from the bitter pain, That comes when regret and remorse are vain, Be good to one another Phcebe Carey. February 1 1 . My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue ; but in deed and in truth. — 1 John iii. 18. There is no service like his, that serves because he loves. Philip Sidney. WHICH LOVED BEST? '* I love you, mother," said little John ; Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on, And he was off to the garden swing, And left her the water and wood to bring. 50 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts* " I love you, mother," said rosy Nell, " I love you better than tongue can tell ; " Then she teased and pouted full half a day, Till her mother rejoiced when she left to play. " I love you, mother," said little Fan, " To-day I'll help you all I can ; How glad I am school doesn't keep ! " So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep. Then, stepping softly, she brought the broom, And swept the floor, and tidied the room ; Busy and happy all day was she, — Helpful and happy as child could be. 11 1 love you, mother," again they said, — Three little children going to bed ; How do you think that mother guessed Which of these little ones loved her best? February 12. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. — 1 John iii. 2, 3. Are angels my attendants? Then I should walk worthy of my companionship. Am I soon to go and dwell with angels ? Then I should be pure. Are these feet to tread the courts of heaven ? Is this tongue to unite with heavenly beings in praising God ? Are these eyes to look on the throne of eternal glory and on the as- cended Redeemer ? Then these feet, and eyes, and lips should be pure and holy, and I should live for heaven. Albert Barnes. A Tear of Beautiful "Thoughts. 51 A RHYME SIX HUNDRED YEARS OLD. Guard, my child, thy tongue That it speak no wrong ; Let no evil word pass o'er it, Set the watch of truth before it, That it speak no wrong ; Guard, my child, thy tongue. Guard, my child, thine eyes, Prying is not wise ; Let them look on what is right. From all evil turn their sight ; Prying is not wise, Guard, my child, thine eyes. Guard, my child, thine ear, Wicked words will sear ; Let no evil word come in That may cause thy soul to sin ; Wicked words will sear, Guard, my child, thine ear. Ear, and eye, and tongue Guard, while thou art young, For, alas ! these busy three Can unruly members be ; Guard, while thou art young, Ear, and eye, and tongue. February 13. He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely. — Prov. x. 9. I say, stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong. Abraham Lincoln. CONSOLATION. When Molly came home from the party to-night, — The party was out at nine, — . There were traces of tears in her bright, blue eyes, That looked mournfully up to mine. 52 A Year of Beautiful Thoughts. For some one had said, — she whispered to me, With her face on my shoulder hid, — Some one had said (there were sobs in her voice), That they didn't like something she did. So I took my little girl up on my knee, (I am old and exceedingly wise), And I said, " My dear, now listen to me, Just listen, and dry your eyes ; "This world is a difficult world, indeed, And people are hard to suit, And the man who plays on the violin, Is a bore to the man with the flute. "And I, myself, have often thought How very much better 'twould be, If every one of the folks that I know Would only agree with me ; " But, since they will not, the very best way To make the world look bright, Is, never to mind what people say, But to do what you think is right" Walter Learned. February 14. Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. — Job v. 7. There are plenty of things to fret about. It is simply astonishing how much annoyance may be found, in the course of every day's living, even at the simplest, if one only keeps a sharp eye out on that side of things. Even holy writ says we are prone to trouble as sparks fly up- ward. But even to the sparks flying upward in the blackest of smoke, there is a blue sky above ; and the less time they waste on the road, the sooner they will reach it. Fretting is all time wasted on the road. Helen Hunt. A Tear of Beautiful Thoughts. 53 LITTLE CROSSES. Vexing little trials Often hedge our way ; Little calls for patience Meet us every day ; Yet we always rule them With our chosen mood ; They may work us evil, Or may do us good. If we meet them fretting, — Into griefs they swell ; But they turn to blessing, If we bear them well. Emma F. Wyman. February 15. Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out of it are the issues of life. — Prov. iv. 23. How truly is a kind heart a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles ! Washington Irving. THE FOUNTAIN, Into the sunshine, Full of the light, Leaping and flashing From morn till night ! Into the moonlight, Whiter than snow, Waving so flower-like When the winds blow ! Into the starlight, Rushing in spray, Happy at midnight, Happy by day ! 54