t me a glass of
water." He does not like to go. But he knows I am very fond of grapes,
and he is very fond of them himself, so he goes out, and some one gives
him a beautiful cluster of grapes. He comes in and says, "Here, papa,
here is beautiful cluster of grapes for you." "But what about the
water?" "Won't the grapes be acceptable, papa?" "No, my boy, the grapes
are not acceptable; I won't take them; I want you to get me a glass or
water." The little fellow doesn't want to get the water, but he goes
out, and this time some one gives him an orange. He brings it in and
places it before me. "Is that acceptable?" he asks. "No, no, no!" I say;
"I want nothing but water; you cannot do anything to please me until you
get the water." And so, my friends, to please God you must first obey
Him.

Jumping into Father's Arms.

I remember, while in Mobile attending meetings, a little incident
occurred which I will relate. It was a beautiful evening, and just
before the meeting some neighbors and myself were sitting on the front
piazza enjoying the evening. One of the neighbors put one of his
children upon a ledge eight feet high, and put out his hands and told
him to jump. Without the slightest hesitation he sprang into his
father's arms. Another child was lifted up, and he, too, readily sprang
into the arms of his father. He picked up another boy, larger than the
others, and held out his arms, but he wouldn't jump. He cried and
screamed to be taken down. The man begged the boy to jump, but it was of
no use; he couldn't be induced to jump. The incident made me curious,
and I stepped up to him and asked, "How was it that those two little
fellows jumped so readily into your arms and the other boy wouldn't?"
"Why," said the man, "those two boys are my children and the other boy
isn't, he don't know me."

How Three Sunday School Children Met Their Fate.

When the Lawrence Mills were on fire a number or years ago--I don't mean
on fire, but when the mill fell in--the great mill fell in, and after it
had fallen in, the ruins caught fire. There was only one room left
entire, and in it were three Mission Sunday-school children imprisoned.
The neighbors and all hands got their shovels and picks and crowbars,
and were working to set the children free. It came on night and they had
not yet reached the children. When they were near them, by some
mischance a lantern broke, and the ruins caught fire. They tried to put
it out, but coul