The mountain Democrat., 1865-02-25

'GIvE Us THIS Day OUR DAILY BREAD.
In a miserable hOvel at the bottom of q
hill two children lowered over a smoul,
dering fire. A tempest ragged without
fearful tempest, against which man and
beast were alike powerless.
A poor miser, much poorer than these
shivering children, though he had heaps
of money at home, drew his ragged cloak
about him and crouchcd down at the
threshold Of that miserable door. lie
dares not enter for fear they would ask
pay for sheltering him, and he cannot
move on account of the storm.
J am so hungry, Nettie,' said one Of
the little ones to the other.
So atm I; I've been hunting for po-
tato pairing, bat can't find any
What an awful storm
Yes; the cid tree has blown down.
guess God took care that 1t didn't fall
on the house. See, it would certainly
have killed u.s.
II he could do that, couldn't he send
US bread?'
Il guess so. Let US pray Our Father,
and when we come to that part, stop till
We get some bread
So they began, and the miscr, crouch
ing and shivering, listened When they
paused, expecting, in their childish faith,
to see some miraculous manifestation, q
human feeling stole over his heart Gnd
sent some angel to soften it. He had
bought loaf at the village, thinking ii
would last him great many days, but
the silence spoke louder to him than the
voices of many waters. lie opened the
door softly. threw in the leaf, and then
listened to the wild and eager cry of dc
light that came from the half famished
little ones.
1t dropped right down from Heaven,
didn't it? questioned the younger
Yes; mean to love God always for
giving US bread when we ask him.
Wen ask him every day, won't we!
Why, never thought God was so good,
did your
Yes; I always thought so, but never
quite knew it before
Let US ask Him to give father work tC
do all the time, so we need never be hun.
cry again. He'll do tim sure
The storm passed and the miser went
home. A little flower had sprung up in
his heart-it was no longer barren.
In few weeks he died, but not before
be had given the cottage, which was his
to the poor laborng man.
And the little children ever felt sweet
and solemn emotion, when in their devo
tons they came to those trustful words
Give US this day our daily bread
CHILDHooD's SORROWS. Mothers often
err in undertaking the little griefS and
disappointments of children. The tritleS
which give them pain and trouble would
be nothing to us, 50 we unrrasonably ex
act of them the same indifference. Die
you ever reflect bow different the samt
scene looks at your own hight from that
point from which your little child mus
view itP If not, you will realize il by
STOPPING down beside him and taking ;
view of the same landscape. So mother,
should learn to place themselves at the
child'S mental standpoint in all their deal
ings with it.
A lady Of great strength Of mind and
fine sensibilities, once told friend that
she never suffered so acutcly, as once in
childhood when her mother carelessly
swept into the fire some of the shining
silk of the milk weed plant. She had
Just found it for the first time in one OF
her little walks, and was greatly delighted
with her little treasure, laying it out in
parcels, thinking Of the enjoy mint she
would have over it with her little COM
panions, assigning its various uses in her
simple domestic economy. Her mother
entered, and finding the litter on the car
pet, hastily and coldly swept it all into
the fire, despite the child's entreaticS -
She, poor, grieved little thing, fled away
almost distracted, and for several days
could scarcely bear to look upon her
mothers face. To her 1t was as real q
source of anguish, as for the millionaire
to see all his possessions swept away by
the devouring flames.
Oh, mother, learn to reverence every
tender, loving thing in your little child's
nature. The world will harden it soon
enough without your hand aidipg in the
work. Enter feelingly into its Mtle joys,
and add to them the double pleasure Of
your approving smile. Sympathize with
its little griefs, and comfort with cheering
words Of tender love the sobbing little
bosom. Gas one whom his mother COM
forteth"-what sweeter figure could the
kind Father above employ to express his
tender pity for his sorrowing children!
Christian mother, be faithful to your
solemn trust; then, when angel voices
shall shout the harvest home, you may
stand before the great white throne and
answer to the summons-"Here am |,
Lord, and the children whom Thou hast