The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1864-01-21
The LYNN and the apple.


Little Lizzie was a lively, clever, and in
terestiDg little girl. AL who knew her used
to say what quick child she was. Her pa
rents were exceedingly fond of her, and
when she vas in her eighth year, they. sent
her to what they considered good school.
lizzie bad been away six months, and
was home for toe midsummer holidays
Her parents were delighted with her; and
her two Brothers and sister seemed to yield
up everything for pleasure, while she. in
return. entertained themall with something
she had learned or done at school.
feather" she said on ore occasion, as
che sat upon hi5 knee. ''ae al learn Watts
HYMNS at our school = and then, with deep
earnestnes9, she repeated several.
Now, il happened few days after that,
some early apples were gathered from the
garden, and Lizzie much wished to have
one, but her mother said, "My darling. |
cannot give you ore; there are not many,
and wish TO send them all away as pres
eat. You shall have some OF the next we
gather" Lizzie appeared disappointed,
and staid behind, in the garden, while the
basket Of rich fruit was carried into the
houae, and placed apon table in the par
lor. Several hours passed By. The sun,
in Iich spendor. tempted Gl-into the gar
den; end the sounds Of merry voices echoed
all around. Lizzie was not in the haPpjest
mood, aud when tired with her play, she
sapntered slowly back to the house. She
was not there long, before she found that
she Fas alone, end, as though some sudden
thought flashed into her mind she fastened
10 the psrlor door. III on instant it waa
opened, and she crept' softly to the basket
Of f,pit. Lizzie'a hand was upon it, but
seeming TO hesitate, she looked timiGly
around the room to see that no one was
watching her, then glencing quickly at the
apples, she took one in her hand and turned
to %. All of sudden, Lizzie stopped
No sound had fallen upon her ear, yet her
little cheeks, rosy with health and excite
ment, turned pale, and the folds Of her
frock showed how she 'rembled. If she had
held serpent, she would not bGve thrown
it down more quickly than she returned the
stolen apple to the basket, and clasping her
little hands together, tears filed her large
blue eyes, as she exclaimed
Guard my heart, God of heaven,
Lest | covet what's not mine,
Lest l take what is not given,
Guard my heart and hands from SIN"
Tbia one verse, with all its deep power,
stopped that young child in the moment Of
strong temptation and who shall say what
effect it had upon the whole Of her future
life. Sac is a woman now, and has had
many temptations, and perhaps the hymns
of her childhood have helped her more than
once.
Children, store your minds with beauti-
full hymns, and, above all, always stop end
ask God to keep you right when you are
tempted to DO wrong.
Many a wandering youth has been brought
back both to home and heaven by his sin
burdened heart remembering the hymns of
his childhood.
And many an aged sinner, with energies
ell frozen, has yielded up his cold heart TO
the remembrance of his mothers knee, the
little hands closed in prayer, and the re
turning words Of the child'S hymn.