The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-19
CONTINUED FROM TUESDAYS EVENING 4ELEoRAFn.l
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Bible Teaching-The Artists success-A Dream
of the Future Illness Death -Rebelion-A
Second Death--submission.
While the girls were at home we had our GUS
ton ary verses OF the Bible, two or three, but
not more, read every morning after breakfast,
and the usual comments made upon the mean
ing that lay hidden or developed in the sacred
words, a custom which found far more condu.
Give to profit than Teading whole chapter as a
matter OF duty, while the thoughts were per
haps wandering far away. Therefore, one verse
rightly understood was better than weary
hour spent in reading without reflection. After
this pleasant occupation was over, Mary looked
up with the light of some amusing thought, and
met my iDquiring look.
"Do you know, mamma, one day there was a
Bible class examined that is, so many girls
were given number of questions to study on
Tuesday, and on the following Saturday morn
ing they were expected to have the answers
ready. Alice came into the room, joined the
class, and answered with the rest, and so we'll
that she was 10 have good mark. But when
they came to put it against her name 1t was not
down on the class board. Alice looked quite
frightened and was ready to cry, and when
asked why she had chosen TO join the class
without being told to do So and that she was
Deglectsng her French, she was going away
without saying word, but replied, Alice did
not lose her time in studying these Bible ques-
tions, maam, for mamma taught us all she has
been asked Mrs. Forbes said she was rejoiced
to hear it; she wished there were more Chris
tian mothers in the land; and then, dear, dar-
ling mamma, felt so proud of you, and then
understood the meaning of the phrase in Pro-
VERBS Her children arise up and call her
blessed"
My heart fairly rose in overhowmg gratitude
to God as / listened to my Mary's words. l
had never wearied my children with long
pray ers, or long Scripture readings or sermons.
The two or three verses sufflce1 for pleasant
discourse which could be easily remembered,
and fitted to daily application. Sometimes /
read out one OF the Bible histories; the place
" hannpnp0
BILE, on the map OF ancient Palestine, and thus
lite and interest in the subject were given; and
more than even gratifying my children, found
my own account In preparing the employment
OF the hour for them. 1t is astonishing how dit
terently understood the meaning of much that
now read from what did in my young days,
and how clear the sense was made TO me. This
| can well be imagined if one reflects that in
| childhood, or even girlhood, how seldom trou-
| bles appear; and in sunny days, who dreams of
| danger? who sees the necessity of providing
against a tempest? 1t is only when heloiess,
| beaten, and dritted, we lay hold Of the strong,
| and are grateful and that which we once passed
| by unheeded becomes in its need the only one
thing we desire. With rare exceptions, we never
| truly seek God till trouble comes. We pray to,
| and read of him, but we lay no hold of him in
faith as The One Healer OF all our griefs.
| Not one of my children ever felt Bible reading
| to be a WEAKNESS, because they were never al
lowed to read it as they pleased. l taug ht them
| that though it contained all information that
was needed Tor our guidance in this life, and for
preached in a careless, irreverent manner, or TO
| be taken up at any moment, and thus led them
| to prefer always reading it with me; and, al.
| though it was always ready at hand, and the
| opening and reading it by themselves was not
| actually forbidden, 1t came to be understood
| that mamma liked best to read, to comment
| upon, and explain it to them, and that without
| her il was IN sUme sense forbidden book, or
| rather, something set apart as sacred; and from
| this very circumstance alone, so contradictory
| Is the nature of all human beings, a know
ledge OF its contents was the one thing earnestly
| desired
| My study Dick seemed even more interested
| IN Bible reading than the others. His school
| lite has not altered him. He was still child
| apart from the rest. He took nothing for
granted. He would tire one with inquiries why
| such thing was. 1t could only be said of hum
| that he hungered and thirsted for knowledge,
| but at every fresh accession OF information he
| pondered and doubted how he could prove it.
Dot, or John, as it was proper to call him,
though in my thoughts he was always "Dot,"
| was in London, and frequently writing home
hopefully. He was getting on hoped to be
| with us at Christmas, was copying painting of
the Holy Family in the National Gallery, and
it was to be Christmas gilt to his darling
| mother. The happy season soon came ard
| Christmas eve arrived, but no John. 1t was not
the days railroads then and the coach which
was due at seven had not reached our quiet
| town at 10. For we had long left London and
| been settled in the country, where my husband
| was the manager of a country bank.
How well do | remember that evening! The
| 0nlnB-rOOm was DIlSnJ WIN tue glare oil q
ruddy fire, on which a log OF wood had been
| placed, and occasionally II lighted up with a
| flash Of radiance so cheering and so grateful In
/ Its warmth, for there had been O heavy fall of
| snow for two days. The table was set out with
| all the delicacies which Christmas brings, and
| in honor of our young artists arrival Christ
| mas pudding was to be cut. The wainscoted
| walls CLEANED with pictures, the ornaments
| scattered about flashed with scntillatons of
| welcome, which shut out thoughts of evil. /
| was alone The rest, with their father, all
| warmly wrapped up, had gone to see the cause
OF the unusual delay. Presently the trampline
| of feet was heard, the servants rushed to the
| door, and once more ! heard my boys voice,
| once more l clasped him in thankfulness.
We were soon seated round the table, and as
| merry as reunited hearts always are.
"Now for my present, Dot" said /, the next
| morning after breakfast.
well, mamma" he replied, 81 know
| haven't done the right thug, but I've sold your
| present, and that is what I've got for it," dis
| playing ten soveTeigns.
"But how?" l asked, in astonishment.
| ut was small water-colcr copy OF Corregglo's
| Holy Family, that | thought you would be de-
| liehted with. When il was finished gentleman,
who had, must say, been kind enough TO watch
| my progress several times, looked over my
| shoulder and asked me what was going TO do
with it. l told him it was for Christmas
present to you.
"Wel, you can paint your mother another
plcture,' said he, and let me have tnat I'll
give you ten pounds for IT,
81 hesitated and he laughed and sald,-
"'Make up your mind, my boy and tell OLD
S., the door-keeper. He knows where to
find me- A,a
81 thought the matter over and over. @ qua
30 wish to bring II home; 1t had been TO me nt ihe
| a pct. | had even got to love H. ana kep' @
4 touchinu and ratonchinp H. atter coA'