Life and Literature Part 23

298

Dr. Samuel Johnson once said, "Above all, accustom your children constantly to tell the truth; without varying in any circ.u.mstance." A lady who heard him said, "Nay, this is too much, for a little variation in narrative must happen a thousand times a day, if one is not perpetually watching." "Well, madam," said the Doctor, "you ought to be perpetually watching."

299

He knows not what love is, that has no children.

300

Children are travelers newly arrived in a strange country; we should therefore make conscience not to mislead them.

301

IT'S ONLY ME.

A lady had two children--both girls. The elder was a fair child; the younger a beauty, and the mother's pet. Her whole love centered in it.

The elder was neglected, while "Sweet" (the pet name of the younger) received every attention that affection could bestow. One day, after a severe illness, the mother was sitting in the parlor, when she heard a childish footstep on the stairs, and her thoughts were instantly with the favorite.

"Is that you, Sweet?" she enquired.

"No, mamma," was the sad, touching reply, "it isn't Sweet: it's only me."

The mother's heart smote her; and from that hour "only me" was restored to an equal place in her affections.

302

Children are usually what their mothers were, or are.

--_Landor._

303

Be careful to discountenance in children anything that looks like rage and furious anger.

--_Tillotson._

304

Children will grow up substantially what they are by nature--and only that.

--_Mrs. Stowe._

305

_St. Luke, xxiv, 29_--"Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent."

(Two of the disciples to our Lord on the way to Emmaus.)

306

DESCRIPTION OF THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

The following description is alleged to be derived from an ancient ma.n.u.script sent by Publius Lentellus, President of Judea, to the Senate of Rome:

"There lives at this time in Judea, a man of singular character, whose name is Jesus Christ. The barbarians esteem Him as their prophet; but His followers adore Him as the immediate offspring of the immortal G.o.d. He is endowed with such unparalleled virtue as to call back the dead from their graves and to heal every kind of disease with a word or a touch. His person is tall and elegantly shaped; His aspect, amiable and reverend; His hair flows in those beauteous shades which no united colors can match, falling in graceful curls below His ears, agreeably couching on His shoulders, and parting on the crown of His head; His dress, that of the sect of Nazarites; His forehead is smooth and large; His cheeks without blemish, and of roseate hue; His nose and mouth are formed with exquisite symmetry; His beard is thick and suitable to the hair of His head, reaching a little below His chin, and parting in the middle below; His eyes are clear, bright, and serene.

"He rebukes with mildness, and invokes with the most tender and persuasive language--His whole address, whether in word or deed, being elegantly grave, and strictly characteristic of so exalted a being. No man has seen Him laugh, but the whole world beholds Him weep frequently, and so persuasive are His tears that the whole mult.i.tude can not withhold their tears from joining in sympathy with Him. He is moderate, temperate, and wise; in short, whatever the phenomenon may turn out in the end, He seems at present to be a man of excellent beauty and Divine perfection, every way surpa.s.sing man."

307

LAST SUPPER.

To turn one's back on the Memorial Supper is to disregard the most tender, and loving, and melting of all our Saviour's commandments. It is not needful to know just how obedience will help us. It is enough to know that it was His dying command that we keep it till He come.

--_Henry M. Grout._

308

No man ought to profess the name of Christ who is not willing to do the deeds of Christ.

309

Our Saviour is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and afflicted.

--_Atterbury._

310

IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTER?

_Mark, vi, 3._

Yes, yes, a Carpenter, same trade as mine.

It warms my heart as I read that line.

I can stand the hard work, I can stand the poor pay, For I'll see that Carpenter at no distant day.