The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-09-23

THE BouNrIFuL FRIEND.

Id6 bUUNT1fUL fhlENU.
Edward, on returning home after taking
walk on fine day in the beginning OF
autumn saw basket filled with beautiful
bunches of grapes on the paror table; some
wero deep purple, and some light yellow
like amber.
ooh where did these fine grapes come
from 2 cried Edward, quite delighted, and
whose are they9'
"They belong TO you, dear Edward said
his mother !" for your grandfather, hearing
that you were not very well, sent them to
you with his love. He says they are some
Of the first grapes that have ripened in his
greenhouse"
GLOW very good grandfather is said Ed
ward Il will write to him without delay,
and thank him. Oh if could give him
any pleasure, how happy it would make
me-"
Il am glad you feel so grateful said his
mother, "but what would you say if you had
a friend who would not only send you grapes
but all sorts of nice fruit.-Would you not
be as thankful to him as to your kind grand
father?
"Yes, certainly, dear mother 1 would
thank him with all my heart, and try every
means in my power to please him."
"But if this good friend,' continued his
mother, "were to send you thousand other
things not merely agreeable and useful but
absolutely necessary to your existence, and
which you could not get expect from
linn !"
"rhen," replied Edward, II would be more
grateful to him then can tell you, mother.
| would write long letters to.him every day
to thank him for so many gifts and l am
sure | should never cease thinking of what
I could do for him; for, oh how great,
must be the love ofa friend who could be
SO exceedingly kind and generous"
"And," continued his mother, "what If he
should not only send you these presents
once, but every day, and every hour, and
every minute 2"
would he ! lie must be SO rich and power
ful and full Of love y
"And if, besides all these good gifts," his
mother added, "thcre was another and
far greater sign of his love, to you; If not
satisfied with providing fer you the comforts
and pleasures of this life, lie had devised a
means for giving you joys which should last
for ever, and exceed all you could imagine;
and to do all tl,is,shad given his only Son
to die most painful death !
"Oh mother" said the child, beginning
to see her object, sit would never be possible
for me to feel grateful enough for such won
derful love- should always think of that
friend, l would do every thing could to
please him; yet still I could never love him
enough"
"No, truly, my child," said his mother,
while she pressed his little hand in hers;
land yet you and all Of us have such friend,
one who is never weary Of doing good
and Of renewing his gifts. 1Io causes the
fruit from year TO year to swell and ripen
on the trees, so that we and all creatures
may not only live, but rej.Ace in our being.
If you are thus thankful TO an earthly friend
for single gift, how much more thankful
should you be to our Father in heaven, for
his innu I'm cradle blessings; and for having
so loved the world that>he gave his only
bcgottcn Son, that whosoeyer believed in
him should not perish, but have everlasting
life."
"Mother, what wicked heart person
must have who could be ungrateful to God;
how wicked it would be-"
"Very wicked indeed, my child" said his
mother, kissing him therefore be careful
not to be ungrateful to your dear friend, ior
all bis benefits to you. If you do not love
him. and strive, through the Divine Spirit,
to keep his commandments, you will be the
source of the deepest misery to me.
should weep for you as for lost child; we
could no longer have any JOY or peace
You can have no happiness without the
favor of God nor could have any hope
for my Edward, If you are not His child r
THE WISDOM or THE SERPENT OBJ
served that when began to preach sever
al Frenchmen and young Creoles, having
no great love for sermons, left The church
ard went to walk 10 my garden, where
ley amused themselves with making
bouquets Of my choicest flowers. For some
time sought an expedient which, without
woupdipg the. lively sensibili.ies of those
gentlemen, would ,obhge them TO remain
in the church and respect my flowers. a