s
in which the products of an acre or two of well-cultivated land could be
prepared to tempt the appetite, were there. Br. S. was informed that
those fried fishes swam in Acushnit brook no longer ago than when he was
rehearsing his parable of the fishes. The strawberries had been kept on
the vines a day or two, for the occasion, and were in perfection. Eggs
figured on the table in every shape into which those most convertible
things could turn themselves; and, being praised, the lady of the house
said that she must tell them of Ralph, a boy of fourteen, whom her
husband had taken to look after his horse and garden, giving him his
tuition in Latin and other branches, for his services. Ralph was a great
amateur in fowls and eggs. No sooner did a hen cackle, but he resorted
to the nest, and, with his lead-pencil, wrote the day of the month upon
the egg. The lady rung her table-bell, and called him to her, telling
him to bring his egg-basket. He brought in an openwork, red osier
basket, with a dozen and a half of eggs in it, laid on cotton batting,
each egg as duly inscribed as the specimens of a mineralogist. Ralph was
highly praised.

"I suppose you think, my son," said Mr. R., "that an egg, like
reputation, should be above suspicion."

"It is best to be safe, sir," said he.

"Ralph," said Mr. S., "do you know who baptized you?"

"You baptized me yourself, sir."

"Do you remember, Ralph, how you reached out your hands, at that time,
and took my hand, and put my finger into your mouth, and tried to bite
it with your little, new, sharp teeth?"

Ralph blushed, and smiled.

"You do not remember it, Ralph. Well, I do; and now, Ralph, you must
come and preach your first sermon in my pulpit."

"It will be a long time first, sir," said Ralph.

"Your dear mother told me, when she was sick, that she thought she left
you in the temple, like Samuel, when she offered you up in baptism."

"Be a good boy, Ralph," said another of the pastors; "we will all be
your friends." He retreated slowly, feeling not so much alone in the
world.

The company did not separate till two of their number had led in prayer,
seeking, especially, the blessing of God upon their own children, and
that they, as parents and ministers, might be warned by the awful fate
of the sons of Aaron and of Eli, and not feel that the ministerial
office gave them a prescriptive right to the blessings of grace for
their children, but rather made them liable to p