of the paper
blank.] We have before us a great, wide river, a stream which forms an
important channel of commerce. Each year, traffic is carried over its
waters which amount to many hundreds of thousands of dollars. Cities
have grown up along its banks; in many ways it has been a wonderful
blessing. Its silent waters flow on and on through the years, blessing
generation after generation of men.

[Illustration: Fig. 78]

"But, as we turn from the big silent stream and wander through the
woods our ears catch the sound of falling waters, and then we come
suddenly upon a scene like this. [Draw the second landscape,
completing Fig. 79.] It is a pretty little brook, you say. Yes, it is,
but we smile as we compare the noisy little stream with the mighty
silent river, and our minds dwell upon the fact that they are but
reflections of life itself. Just as the little brook makes more noise
than the big river, so do many people with small minds cause more
agitation and trouble in a community than people whose lives are
governed by the principles of charity, kindness and common sense.

[Illustration: Fig. 79]

"Let us watch, therefore, to see that our thoughts as well as our
words are such as to add to the happiness of those about us. Calmness
and carefulness will accomplish this. Let us guard well against the
ill-spoken word, however harmless it may seem.

"Said one girl to another, 'Don't you think Julia is a splendid girl?'

"Oh, yes,' responded the other, 'but I have sometimes wondered whether
or not she is always sincere in what she says.'

"How easy it is to attach a sting to an innocent remark! Our
lightly-spoken words may blight the life of an innocent one, for words
repeated are like the rolling snowball which grows larger as it is
pushed over the fallen snow. As one dog, howling in the night, causes
all the other dogs in town to howl, so we may start a needless alarm
by a single unfair word.

"Let us praise the good, always, for none--not even ourselves--is
perfect."

THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN
--Sin
--Allurement

The Modern Artificial Fishing Bait As an Illustration of
Seductiveness.

THE LESSON--That sin gains its victims through the most alluring
deception.

This illustration should prove valuable in presenting to the minds of
boys of all ages the truth of the seductiveness of sin, as the
treatment of the subject brings in a discussion of a sport with which
all are more or less familiar.