--_Charles Kingsley._

236

Chide a friend in private, and praise him in public.

--_Solon._

237

A CHILD'S SERMON.

A writer once told how a little child preached a sermon to him.

"Is your father at home?" I asked a small child at our village doctor's
doorstep.

"No," she said, "he's away."

"Where do you think I could find him?"

"Well," she said, with a considering air, "you've got to look for some
place where people are sick or hurt, or something like that. I don't
know where he is, but he's helping somewhere."

238

A SLEEPING CHILD.

How happy are thy days! How sweet thy repose! How calm thy rest! Thou
slumberest upon the earth more soundly than many a miser and worldling
upon his bed of down. And the reason is--that thou hast a gracious God
and an easy conscience. A stranger to all care, thou awakest only to
resume thy play, or ask for food to satisfy thy hunger.

239

A full-blown rose besprinkled with the purest dew, is not so beautiful
as a child blushing beneath her parents' displeasure, and shedding tears
of sorrow for her fault.

240

A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a
child.

--_Longfellow._

241

He who does not correct his own child, will later beat his own breast.

242

The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother.

--_Napoleon._

243

A child's eyes! Those clear wells of undefiled thought! What on earth
can be more beautiful! Full of hope, love, and curiosity, they meet your
own. In prayer, how earnest! In joy, how sparkling! In sympathy, how
tender!

--_Mrs. Norton._

244

These little shoes! How proud she was of these!
Can you forget how, sitting on your knees,
She used to prattle volubly, and raise
Her tiny feet to win your wondering praise?

--_William Canton._

245

INSCRIPTION ON MY LITTLE SON'S SILVER PLATE.

When thou dost eat from off this plate,
I charge thee be thou temperate;
Unto thine elders at the board
Do thou sweet reverence accord;
And, though to dignity inclined,
Unto the serving-folk be kind;
Be ever mindful of the poor,
Nor turn them hungry from the door;
An