arn us that we should distribute the good
things God provides us with, and wholly trust that he will continue to
send us all things that are needful."

"Pray did you find that in the sermon, also?" asked Charles.

"Perhaps I did."

"Did it say anything about the ten talents--where we are told that unto
every one that hath shall be given, but from him that hath not shall be
taken away even that which he hath?" replied Charles, with an air of
triumph.

"Do you understand the text you have quoted?" asked William, mildly.

"I suppose so, I should think it rather taught people to increase their
stores than anything else."

"Then let me tell you that you are quite wrong, for that was a text I
used to hear papa explain very often, that it should never be applied to
worldly possessions. But those who pray for, and seek by every means to
acquire, heavenly grace will surely find it bestowed on them; while those
who neglect to cultivate the spirit of religion will as surely find any
feelings of piety they may once have experienced in like manner depart
from them. Every human being has the power, more or less, of doing good:
and his means and opportunities are also among the 'talents' with which
he is intrusted, and for which he must account at last."

"Have you done preaching?" yawned the little miser.

"Yes, for I am afraid you are beyond my teaching." And so the cousins
parted.

Charles sat musing for a little while. "How happy William seems!"
thought he; "and yet I dare say at this moment he has not half-a-crown he
can call his own. It is very fine of him, indeed, to talk of turning out
the closet, he who has got nothing to keep."

And so reasoned the selfish boy, amusing himself with gazing upon a shelf
full of baby toys he could take no pleasure in using, but yet which he
had not the heart to give away; and then he jingled a money-box, which
was heavy enough to tell there were many, many coins inside, and yet he
drew from his pocket a shilling, which he slipped through the narrow
chink, thus adding to his useless store.

Oh! sad it is to believe that no thought of gratitude to the Almighty for
the blessings with which he was surrounded; no prayer for guidance from
on high rose in his heart; no thought of the duty of cultivating the
"talents" which had fallen to his share.

Two or three years passed away, and notwithstanding the exhortations of
Mrs. Sidney, and the bright examples of his cousins, no amendmen