ke is
easy and my burden is light."

MEMORY HYMN [449]

_"My times are in thy hand."_

GOOD ADVICE

Most of us, men and women as well as girls and boys, do not take kindly
to advice. We very much prefer that people keep their advice to
themselves. There are times, however, when we are compelled to listen to
advice, because of the source. Here is a bit of advice that commands our
attention. It is from the great English novelist, Charles Dickens.

Charles Dickens' youngest boy, Edward, left home when he was sixteen
years of age and went to Australia. His father wrote him a parting
letter, which is worth while for all boys, whether or no they leave
home. In that letter the great Dickens said,

"I put a New Testament among your books for the very same reasons and
with the very same hopes that made me write an easy account of it for
you when you were a little child. Because it is the best book that ever
was or ever will be in the world. And because it teaches you the best
lessons by which any human creature who tries to be truthful and
faithful to duty can possibly be guided. As your brothers have gone
away, one by one, I have written to each such words as I am now writing
to you and have entreated them all to guide themselves by this book,
putting aside the interpretations and inventions of men. Never abandon
the wholesome practice of saying your own private prayers, night and
morning. I have never abandoned it myself, and I know the comfort of
it."

Now that we are done reading this letter it does not sound like advice
at all, does it. It is all so wholesome and sturdy that we feel like
speaking right out loud, "Thank you, Mr. Dickens, thank you very much."

MEMORY VERSE, _Psalm_ 119: 9

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed
thereto according to thy word."

MEMORY HYMN [205]

_"Lamp of our feet."_

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN

Chicago University, one of the great schools of America and the world,
received its impetus from the tireless energy and brilliant leadership
of its great President, Dr. Harper. After his death there was found
among his papers a memorandum which read as follows:

"If I were a boy again I would strive to find out from goods books how
good men lived.

"If I were a boy again I would study the Bible even more than I did. I
would make it a mental companion. The Bible is a necessity for every
boy.

"If I were a boy again I would