The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-05-03

Two PO1SO0o.
Para" said Arthur Wilson. one evening.
'svi1 you give me the key Of the book case
IL 7nlr study"
why. my boyT
II wish to take out book.
Which book?"
"A book from the high shelf"
That is not answering my question"
"a scarlet book. papa; am not sure OF
the name. wish to read il this morning"
"Who gave you that book. Arthur"
lone Of the boys at school. He said there.
were nice stories in il, and l began one OF
them. Was it you, papa, who locked 1t
upf"
YES"
why did you do so?'
Because l did not wish you to read it. l
have not read it myself, but know the name
cf the writer we'll; be 10 Frenchman. and
2 very bad man. who writes things that 1t
would be very wrong in me to allow you to
rod"
Arthur looked much vexed.
III am sure, papa, that was very nice story
which l began last night. and wished very
much to finish it, Will you give it to me just
tor this evening? l will pass over all that is
wrong"
Mr. Wilson smiled land how will you
hnaw what to pass over till you have read
ulF
But. papa. am sure just reading il once.
quite quickly, would do me no harm"
Arthur. why is your mother always so
rarctul to keep the bottle Of laudnum locked
because it is poison. Of course"
Is laudnum the only poison in the apoth-
eoar-. shop?"
"No. papa; there are many others
81 es, and of many kinds. which may hurt
Q man in various ways. Some will bring a
deediy sleep upon you, others violent pains
sa6 commissions. You may die from swal-
wing one kind, or allowing another to touch
aa open scratch and get into your blood. or
breathing another kind into your lungs. A
ensible man will handle them all most eau
t1usly; a sensible child will not touch them
81 all But there are worse and more deadly
loisons than any kept by the apothecary.-
G aicF is OF most importance, my son, to you
o. me-our souior our bodyP
k49ie soul, Of course"
Why"
Il Because it must live forever-in heaven
Or HE'LL"
Then. is not the o son which destroys u.
souls to be more dreaded and avoided than
WINS, would merely injurs our poor mortal
bodies?"
Eyes papa"
well, believe that fatal poison is con-
.aiaed in your scarlet book. which have
hcsed up from you, just as your mother locks
IT.. lie laudnum. The writer Of the book is
e wretched man who is poisoning the souls
ii MS fellow creatures. He does not himself
believe in God. and by his writings he is de-
sr1ying the faith Of others, aud at the same
;iuau those moral virtues which can never
s,ad long if the foundation OF Christian faith
Is undetermined. And all this is done in the
ulost dangerous way-under the form of most
irt4resting stories When you are older. and
your faith and knowledge confirmed. you
night, hope, read the book. and note and
laathe its errors. But meanwhile. my dear
boy, be as much afraid OF reading poison,
a. OF swallowing it. Never begin new
8 thor until you have asked myself, or. some
other friend whom you can trust. il the work
- safe and suitable for you. Pray for the
BLESSING Of God upon all the studies to which
ae direc, you; and above all. study and val
ne the Book. Gods own precious Word.
where in every page you may find food and
medicine for both mind and ul."-FamHy
4rcaSnrg.