hen the sun shone,
invariably lighted by the burning-glass, and very useful did I find it.
As it was so portable, I always carried it with me, and when I had
nothing to do, I magnified, or set fire, according to the humour of the
moment.

Although I have not mentioned it, not a morning rose, but before
breakfast, I read the Scriptures to my mother.

"There's so much in that book which I cannot understand," said I, one
morning.

"I suspect that, living as you have, alone on this island, and having
seen nothing of the world," replied my mother, "that there are not many
books that you would understand."

"But I understand all that is said in the Beast and Bird Book," replied
I.

"Perhaps you may, or think you do; but, Frank, you must not class the
Bible with other books. The other books are the works of man; but the
Bible is the word of God. There are many portions of that book which
the cleverest men, who have devoted their lives to its study, cannot
understand, and which never will be understood as long as this world
endures. In many parts the Bible is a sealed book."

"But will it never be understood then by anybody?"

"There is quite as much of the Bible as is necessary for men to follow
its precepts, and this is so clear that anybody may understand it--it
contains all that is necessary for salvation; but there are passages,
the true meaning of which we cannot explain, and which God, for His own
purposes, will not permit us to do. But if we do not know them now, we
shall probably hereafter, when we have left this world, and our
intellects more nearly approach God's."

"Well, I don't understand why we should not understand it."

"Frank," replied she, "look at that flower just in bloom. Do you
understand how it is that that plant keeps alive--grows every year--
every year throws out a large blue flower? Why should it do so? Why
should the flower always be blue? And whence comes that beautiful
colour? Can you tell me? You see, you know that it does do so. But
can you tell me what makes it do so?"

"No."

"Look at that bird. You know it is hatched from an egg. How is it that
the inside of an egg is changed into bird? How is that the bird is
covered with feathers, and has the power to fly? Can you explain to me
yourself? You can walk about just as you please--you have the power of
reasoning, and thinking, and of acting; but by what means is it that you
possess that power? Can you tell? You k