ed to return, but did not
know the way. Poor boy, he was lost.

[Illustration: THE BEST FRIEND WE HAVE IS MOTHER]

He started toward what he thought was home, and walked and walked.
Becoming very tired, he sat down to rest and soon fell asleep.

His mama missed her boy and hunted everywhere for him. Night came on,
but she did not give up her search. She hunted and called, but no
answer came. She feared the wild beasts would get him, but prayed to
God to protect her child. She hunted all night and in the morning
found him safe and still asleep.

The best friend we have on earth is a good mother. She thinks of her
children at all times. She loves them and lives for them. She seems to
know all about our little cares and trials. When we are willing to
help her, it shows that we think of her and love her, too.

Have you ever thought how she toils and cares for you? She works for
you every day--gets your meals, breakfast, dinner, and supper; washes
and mends your clothes and stockings; and at night makes your pillow
nice and soft for you so you can sleep well.

She seems to know just what to do if we happen to get hurt.

[Illustration: A MOTHER LIVES FOR HER CHILDREN]

Mother is watching after her little ones all the day long, and when
she puts her hand upon our heads at night as we bow at her knee in
prayer, she seems to say, "God bless and keep my darling child." When
she tucks the covers tight about us and sits by our bedside, we think
that Mama is the best friend we have. Don't we?

Now I will tell you of another friend. This friend lives in heaven.
His name is God. We can not see God, but he looks down from heaven and
sees us. He sees everything we do, and hears everything we say. He
knows all things.

It was God who made this earth where we live, and everything that has
life. We pray to God, and he hears us and answers our prayers.

[Illustration]

Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
Thy love be with me through the night,
And bless me with the morning light.

The Good Book

The Bible is a good book. In it we read about God, and about his
making the earth, sun, moon, stars, trees, flowers, rocks, water,
birds, fishes, animals, and man.

We read of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman; of their beautiful
home, the Garden of Eden; and also of their children and their
children's children.

In it there are many, many stories about how God helped peopl