Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-11-20

more carefully in his infancy, than he did |
his young apple tree.
His brother Moses did none of all this. I
He spent his time on a mount that was
hard by, throwing stones from it al pas
sengers in the road. He went among all |
the idle country boys in he neighborhood, !
to box with them; so that he was always
seen with broken shins and black eyes,
from the blows aud kicks ne received in
his quarrels. He neglected his tree so
far, in short he never once thought of it,
till one day in autumn he by chance saw
Edmund's tree SO full of apples, slreaked
with purple and gold, that were il not for
the props which supported It's branches,
the weight of its fruit must have bent it to
the ground.
Struck with the sight of so fine
growth, be ran to his own, hoping TO find
as large crop on ii but what was his
surprise, when he saw nothing but branch
es covered with moss, and few yellow
leaves Quite angry and jealous, he
went 10 his father, and said, Father,
what sort of tree is this that you have
given me! 1t is as dry as broomstlck,
and | shall not have ten apples on it. But
my brother! OIL you have used him
better Bid him, at least, share his APP
pies with me-
Share with you,' said his father; so
the industrious would lose his labor 10
feed the idle. Take what you get; it is
the reward of your negligence, aud do not
think to accuse me of injustice when you
see your brolher's rich crop Your tree
was as fruitful and in as good order as
his. IL bore as many blossoms, and grew
in the same soil only it had not the same
usage. Edmund has kept his tree clear
even of the smallest insects: YOU have
suffered them 10 eat up yours ir It's bios
SON.
( AS do not choose to let any thing
God has given me. and for which hold
myself accountable 10 him, 90 TO ruin,
take this tree from you, and call it no
more by your name It must pass thro'
your brothers hands, to recover itself and
is his property from this moment, as well
as the fruit he shall make it bear. You
may 60 and look for another in my nur-
sery, and rear it, if you will, TO make
amends for your fault; but if you neglect
it, that too shall belong 10 your brother
for assisting me in my labor.'
Moses felt the justice of his fathers
sentence, and the wisdom of his design.
He went that moment and chose in The
nursery the most thrifty young apple tree
that he could find. Edmund assisted him
with his advice in rearing II, and Moses
did not lose a moment. He was never
out of humor, now, with his comrades,
and still less with himself; for he applied
cheerfully to work, and in autumn, h.
saw his tree fully answer his hopes.
Thus he had the double advantage OF
enrlching himself with plentiful growth
of fruit, and at the same time, of getting
rid of the vicious habits which be had
contracted. His father was so well pleas
ed with this change, that the following
year he shared the produce of a small
orchard, between him and his brother.
In TIMES OF TRIAL TRUST IN THE
LORD. How little do the best of US be-
lieve and trust in the Lord We know
not how TO content ourselves with bare
promise. Except we can see some p.ob-
ability in the means used to accomplish
his gracious designs, and unless we know
the particular way by which we nav be
likely 10 believe in him at all Thus we
trust in ourselves rather than in God
We think ourselves quite ruined, when
we have nothing but God aud his sure
word OF promise to depend on. We are
not satisfied that God should know aud
choose for US; but, like the prodioal, we
would have our portion in our own hands !:
else our comforts are gone. Lord, keep
all IN thine own hands. Faith is a grace
no less pleasing and honorable TO God.
than comfortable and beneficial 10 u.s.
We cannot thrive ourselves, nor please
God more, than by keeping il in constant
exercise, IN the face of all difficulties and
untavorabie appearances and even against
all sense and reason. Faith delights to
face crosses and impossibiIities. L loves
TO bring God, in the matchless glory Of
his wisdom and power on the field of BAT.
tie; and is never better pleased than when
they are gloriously displayed in doing
wonders. Ii is worth while to meet with
difficulties, that we may see the gIory OF
the Lord manifested. It is the only way
10 thrive IN cur souls. and grow in holi.
ness. Those who prefer their carnal
ease to this. give but poor sign of any
reality OF grace in their hearts Charles.
From the Religious Souvenir for 1910.
SELF-ExAMINATIoN. In the stiffness
ana retirement of the closet, when tie
world IS shut out, and the lonely soul
holds communion with its God, how SOL
emn is the work of honest selfexamina-
] lion. E.vea Of IhoSo nclinnS ,rhiaL -