God.' God has
given us a life which is to last forever, and the little time we spend
on earth is as nothing to the ages which we are to spend in the world
beyond; so our earthly life is a very important part of our existence,
for it is here that the foundation is laid for either happiness or
misery in the future. It is here that we decide our destiny, and our
efforts to know and obey God's laws in our bodies as well as in
our souls will not only bring blessings to us in this life, but
never-ending happiness throughout eternity."

22. A QUESTION. How can a father chew and smoke tobacco, drink and
swear, use vulgar language, tell obscene stories, and raise a family
of pure, clean-minded children? LET THE ECHO ANSWER.

[Illustration: "SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN, AND FORBID THEM NOT, TO COME
UNTO ME: FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN-"--_MATT. 19:14_]

* * * * *

THE INHUMANITIES OF PARENTS.

1. Not long ago a Presbyterian minister in Western New York whipped
his three-year-old boy to death for refusing to say his prayers. The
little fingers were broken; the tender flesh was bruised and actually
mangled; strong men wept when they looked on the lifeless body. Think
of a strong man from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds in
weight, pouncing upon a little child, like a Tiger upon a Lamb, and
with his strong arm inflicting physical blows on the delicate tissues
of a child's body. See its frail and trembling flesh quiver and its
tender nervous organization shaking with terror and fear.

2. How often is this the case in the punishment of children all over
this broad land! Death is not often the immediate consequence of this
brutality as in the above stated case, but the punishment is often as
unjust, and the physical constitution of children is often ruined and
the mind by fright seriously injured.

3. Everyone knows the sudden sense of pain, and sometimes dizziness
and nausea follow, as the results of an accidental hitting of the
ankle, knee or elbow against a hard substance, and involuntary tears
are brought to the eyes; but what is such a pain as this compared
with the pains of a dozen or more quick blows on the body of a little
helpless child from the strong arm of a parent in a passion? Add
to this overwhelming terror of fright, the strangulating effects
of sighing and shrieking, and you have a complete picture of
child-torture.

4. Who has not often seen a child receive,