t was quite satisfied with Hattie's correction, and was then
ready to agree with her, that his mother was the best mother in the
world.
Herbert was a very little boy, but he had been taught that God was
more worthy of love than even his father or mother could be. He was
too young to understand much about the being of God, and when he
called him a mother a great deal better than his own mother, it was an
expression of his love and reverence.
Do you, dear children, when you realize something about the love
which your mother feels for you, and which enables her cheerfully to
do so much for your comfort, remember that God loves you even more
than she does, and that He is far more deserving your strongest
affections?
"He that loveth father or mother more than me," the Saviour said, "is
not worthy of me." God should occupy the first place in your heart,
and next to Him you should love your parents.
Happy is that child who is so willing to be governed by her mother's
wishes that she is at all times ready to exclaim, "Was there ever so
good a mother as my mother!"
[Illustration]
THE TWO WILLS.
When a man of wealth dies, there is always much interest felt in
regard to the disposition he has made of his property by will.
Sometimes large bequests are made to benevolent societies, and the
donor is generally considered a very generous man. Many bless his
memory, and his name is cherished with grateful respect. It is right
that it should be so. God loves the cheerful giver.
I have just read the last "will and testament" of a little boy nine
years old, who lived in Ohio. Not very long ago he was taken ill with
fever. The disease was violent, and he suffered much. At length it
became evident that he must die.
A few hours before his death, he looked up to his mother and said:
"Do you remember my gold dollar?"
"Yes, my son; but we had better not think of that now."
"But mother," said George, "I want you to give it to the missionaries,
and my shillings too, and all the pennies. Give it all to the
missionaries."
George died, and I trust has gone to heaven. His desire to do good was
no doubt acceptable and pleasing to God. He could not receive here
the reward God has promised to those who give to the poor, but in
another world his heavenly Father can most richly recompense him. The
sum contributed by the dying child was not large, but it was all he
had.
In the same town lived a little girl, whose fa
|