n; "we
may not, perhaps, be always able to prevent covetous or envious thoughts
from entering our mind; but we should directly endeavour to drive them
away, and pray to God to make us contented with 'that state of life in
which it has pleased Him to place us.' 'Be content with such things as
ye have,' says St. Paul. And again, speaking of himself, he tells us, 'I
have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.' Besides,
Tom, the rich are not always happy. They have a great many cares and
anxieties that we know nothing of. You cannot have forgotten what
trouble Farmer Tomkyns was in last spring when so many of his cattle
died of the distemper, and he was afraid he should lose the rest. It is
true the Squire can afford to have always a grand dinner to sit down to;
but of what use is that when he is, and has been for years, in such a
bad state of health that the choicest dainties afford him no pleasure!
Do not you think, Tom, that if you were in his place, you would gladly
give all the fine clothes, dainty food, and wealth that you possessed,
to be strong and hearty again, even though you had only a poor cottage
to live in, and a crust of bread to eat?"

"Yes," replied Tom, "that I would, I am sure."

"We are all," resumed the old woman, "too apt, I fear, to think more of
the blessings and comforts we want, or fancy we want, than of those we
already possess. We forget that c those among us who have least, have
far more than they deserve.'"

"What you say, grandmother," observed Ned, "puts me in mind of some
verses in one of Watts's Hymns, that I learned by heart a little while
ago. May I say them?"

"Do so, my dear," replied his grandmother. And Ned repeated the
following verses:--

"Not more than others I deserve,
Yet God hath given me more;
For I have food while others starve,
Or beg from door to door.

"While some poor wretches scarce can tell
Where they may lay their head,
I have a home wherein to dwell,
And rest upon my bed.

"While others early learn to swear,
And curse, and lie, and steal;
Lord, I am taught Thy name to fear,
And do Thy holy will.

"Are these Thy favours, day by day,
To me above the rest;
Then let me love Thee more than they,
And try to serve Thee best."

"They are very pretty verses indeed," said his grandmother, when Ned
had finished; "and I am glad that you remember them at the right time."

The day after this con