nd and a feeling heart."
11. Perhaps some may say that these are little things. So
they are; but we must not wait for occasions to do great
things. We must begin with little labors of love.

LESSON L.
THE ALARM CLOCK.
1. A lady, who found it not easy to wake in the morning as
early as she wished,

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bought an alarm clock. These clocks are so made as to strike
with a loud whirring noise at any hour the owner pleases to
set them.
2. The lady placed her clock at the head of the bed, and at
the right time she found herself roused by the long, rattling
sound.
3. She arose at once, and felt better all day for her early
rising. This lasted for some weeks. The alarm clock
faithfully did its duty, and was plainly heard so long as it
was obeyed.
4. But, after a time, the lady grew tired of early rising.
When she was waked by the noise, she merely turned over in
bed, and slept again.
5. In a few days, the clock ceased to rouse her from her
sleep. It spoke just as loudly as ever; but she did not hear it,
because she had been in the habit of not obeying it.
6. Finding that she might as well be without it, she
resolved that when she heard the sound she would jump up.
7. Just so it is with conscience. If we will obey its voice,
even in the most trifling things, we can always hear it, clear
and strong.

132 ECLECTIC SERIES.
8. But if we allow ourselves to do what we have some
fears may not be quite right, we shall grow more and more
sleepy, until the voice of conscience has no longer power to
wake as.

LESSON LI.

SPRING.

1. The alder by the river
Shakes out her powdery curls;
The willow buds in silver
For little boys and girls.

2. The little birds fly over,
And oh, how sweet they sing!
To tell the happy children
That once again 't is Spring.

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3. The gay green grass comes creeping
So soft beneath their feet;
The frogs begin to ripple
A music clear and sweet.

4. And buttercups are coming,
And scarlet columbine,
And in the sunny meadows
The dandelions shine.

5. And just as many daisies
As their soft hands can hold,
The little ones may gather,
All fair in white and gold.

6. Here blows the warm red clover,
There peeps the violet blue;
Oh, happy little children!
God made them all for you.
Celia Thaxter.

134 ECLECTIC SERIES.

LESSON LII.
TRUE COURAGE.
One cold winter's day, three boys were passing by a
schoolhouse. The oldest was a ba