Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[graphic][ocr errors]

"Maggie, going up to the bedside, stood there with downcast eyes, not quite knowing how to begin her story. "

"Well, good morning, little one, said he. "Jane came in just now with a message from your mother, which I undertook to deliver to you. She sent her love to you" (Maggie's face, which had fallen considerably, brightened up at this), "and you are to take her up a cup of bread and milk, as she is tired this morning, and is not going to get up just yet." At this moment the servant appeared with the cup of bread and milk. "Off with you,' said Uncle Philip. "Don't be afraid, little one," he added: "I told her something about it last night, and she won't be very angry, I'm sure."

Maggie immediately took the cup in both hands, went carefully upstairs with it, and knocked at her mother's bedroom door. At her

"Come in" she entered, and going up to the bedside, stood there with downcast eyes, not quite knowing how to begin her story.

"Thank you, Maggie dear," said her mother. "Give me the cup, and then sit down on the bed, and tell me all this sad mistake about the hyacinths," which Maggie did, and then Mrs. Fellowes talked to her in much the same way as her uncle had done, only at greater length, after which they had a little more conversation about the hyacinths, and Maggie heard that Uncle Philip had given Claude the prize, which made her quite happy. "I will never, never do such a thing again, mother," she said, kissing her mother before she left the room, and I think I may safely say that she never did.

[graphic]
[graphic][merged small]

NOTHER year has fled, another year is given,
And we again are led to thank the God of heaven.
We heard the bells without, they caused mixed
thoughts within;

They tolled the old year out, they rang the new
year in.

They told us of the past, of sins we had committed;
Of mercies great and vast, and love we oft had slighted;
That love, however, said, in whispers soft and low,
"I have thy ransom paid, for thee My blood did flow."

Thus seeing life through death, "Amen" our hearts replied; "Amen," with dying breath, the toiling echoes sighed. Then broke upon cur ear a loud and merry peal,

Which welcomed the new year, and made us gladsome feel.

"Look up!" they seemed to say, "and trust thy cov'nant God, Who hitherto thy stay has been through life's dark road; He will not leave thee now unaided on thy way,

But will His grace bestow and all thy fears allay.

"If thou through anxious thought would sock to lift the veil That wisely hides from sight thy future and its tale, Mark what the Scriptures say, in mercy and in love,'Sufficient to the day will all the evils prove.'

"Whatever be the care that presses on thy breast,
Take it to God in prayer, and leave it there to rest."
Thus, fellow-pilgrim, dear, be it our only care
To live each day this year á life of love and prayer.

[graphic]
« VorigeDoorgaan »