o eagerly to meet their father? It is
just because he is their father. He has provided them with a home, and
with food and clothing, and has given them many pleasant things to
enjoy. He loves them, and his love and approbation are very precious
to them. They obey his wishes, and strive to please him, and this is
one source of the happiness which fills their hearts.

I think most of you, dear children, have kind parents, to whom you are
warmly attached, and that you do not hear the name of father without
emotions of pleasure. Some of you have no earthly father, but you all
have one in another and better world.

Most of you, in your infancy, have learned to repeat the Lord's
Prayer. How beautiful and expressive are the words with which it
commences, "Our Father who art in heaven." God, then, is your father,
and you may go to him as his children. You may tell him all your
wants, all your sorrows, and all your joys. You may pour out your
heart to him with perfect freedom. You need not fear to do this as you
would to a stranger, for he is your Father, and knows all about you.
He knows every time you suffer, and he sees every thought of your
heart. God loves you more than any earthly friends can, and he has
enabled them to bestow upon you all the comforts which surround you.

When you kneel down to pray, will you not remember that it is to a
father you are speaking, and will you not love him as truly and warmly
as you do the dear father who takes you on his knee, and speaks so
kindly and affectionately to you. Your father in heaven has given you
this earthly parent, and you should surely love him for all he has
done for you.

Do not let the precious words, "Our Father who art in heaven," be
unmeaning ones to you; but strive to realize the great goodness and
condescension of God in permitting you to call him by so sweet a name,
and give him the only thing you can in return,--your young and
grateful hearts.

[Illustration]

HATTIE AND HERBERT.

"Was there ever so good a mother as you are?" said Hattie Atherton,
throwing her arms around her mother's neck, and kissing her with great
affection.

"Oh yes!" answered little Herbert, in a solemn tone, "there is one a
great deal better."

"Why, Herbert! what do you mean?" exclaimed Hattie, who knew Herbert
loved his mother as dearly as she did.

"I mean God. He is better than mother."

"But God is a Father. He is our Father in heaven," continued Hattie.

Herber