en God had given us
two such lovely children, I thought it was abusing his mercy to
neglect them for the applause of the world--and so devoted myself
entirely to their welfare. If I worked hard and was inclined to feel
peevish and cross, I thought how that I was laboring to make happy,
and good, and great, the dear boys, and I forgot every thing else. If
I became tired of the turmoil of life, I was the more happy when I got
home, for the children were always waiting and glad to see me, and
their presence immediately banished all anxiety and care. They seemed
so happy when I came--for Charlotte used to teach them to prize my
presence by dating their pleasures by my arrival; that I thought it
joy enough for one mortal to have looked upon the impersonation of
innocence and joy in his own children.

Then, when the boys were asleep, how we used to talk about them; how
anxious we were when either of them was restless or unquiet! How we
used to reckon on the joy they would give us in age, and how in the
happiness of our lot we shed tears of happines and joy! With what
fervor did we unite in prayer for their health and preservation, and
wish all the world as happy as we were. We became selfish in our joy,
and felt to care little for any thing but home, and in our enjoyment
of the gift we had like to have forgotten the Giver.

But at length Charlie, the younger boy, was sick, and we feared he
would die. We then remembered in whose hands his life was, and, I
believe, ever after regarded our treasures as trusts committed to our
keeping. Charlie suffered great pain, but he complained not. His very
submission smote our hearts, and though we could not think he was to
die, yet we thought he was too good to live. Benny could no longer
smile upon us, but watched by his brother's bed without speaking or
moving, unless to do him some service. We felt anxious about Charles,
yet forbore to speak of our anxiety, though when he was asleep we
could no longer conceal our sorrow and fears. And when one day the
physician imprudently said in his hearing that he feared Charles would
die, he looked at him in surprise, as if he had not thought of that;
and kissing the fevered brow of his sick brother, he came and stood by
his mother's side, and looking in her face as much as to say you wont
let brother die, he saw a tear in the clear blue eye of his mother,
and he sobbed aloud; and Charlotte could contain herself no longer,
but dropped hot tears on