place all your confidence in God, and at the same
time study to do right, you will not, for any long time, be left in
darkness.'

The conversation of Mrs Maurice continued to a late hour; but as the
remaining time was spent in encouraging poor Effie, who needed all that
could be said to her, we will pass it over, and merely inform our
readers that she awoke in the morning wiser, and even happier; for the
joy that is felt in heaven over a repenting sinner, is reflected upon
that sinner's own heart.

CHAPTER VIII.

ANOTHER OF MR MAURICE'S LESSONS.

'Father,' said Harry, after the little family had gathered around the
fire as usual, on the ensuing evening, 'it seems strange that people can
love good books too well.'

'I believe they are not very apt to, Harry, especially boys who are so
fond of snowballing and sliding, as a certain little fellow I met
to-day.'

'Oh you mean me, now, father, but I thought you liked to have me play.'

'So I do; only look out that the books and play go together. One is for
the mind, and the other is for the body, and both should be cared for.'

'Well, father, Mr Titus tells the boys, that the mind is the only thing
worthy of attention, at least he talks as though he thought so; and so
some of the larger boys think it is not scholarlike to play, and sit
mewed up in the house from morning till night, like so many drones.'

'And so grow pale and sickly-looking, do they not?'

'Yes, sir; and what's more, I don't think they learn a bit faster than
some of the rest of us.'

'Very likely, Harry--for whether they think proper attention to the body
important or not, the state of the mind depends very much upon it. A
healthy mind, that is, a perfectly sound, active, and energetic one,
cannot dwell in a diseased body; and so your play, while it amuses you,
and seems to others to be mere waste of time, invigorates the body,
affords rest to the mind, and is in reality as essential to your
well-being as the food you eat, or the clothing you wear in winter.'

'I wish Mr Titus could hear you say that, father.'

'Perhaps it would not be safe to talk so to all his boys, for I presume
the most of them would at present be more benefited by what he says.
Children seldom love study too well. Even our little book-worm, Effie,
would never become too much engaged in anything but a story.'

'Father, Thomas Marvin says that he can't get to school for a while,
and he can't spend the time in exer