The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-06-10
I" A Mothers Gift"

Taking morning walk, one bright
spring day, / passed the door of a
friend. On the step was seated de-
.mure little maid of five summers or
thereabouts, who gave me a quick smile
OF welcome and ran down to greet me,
"Should you like to come with me
for a walkP' | said. ."'- o.. D '''t .''.A
when ask mammal was the re-
ply,las she disappeared for q moment
and then reioined me, putting her soft,
warm hand eonlidingly in mlne. She
danced along in the sunshine short
distance. when, looking up, she said,
earnestly: isn't this a pretty day?
the sky is so bright.na i assented
Alter a thoughtful pause she continued:
"God makes the sunshine. isn't He
goodP' Before | had time to reply, she
added quickly, land Jesus" ur.
! was strangely stirred las | looked
down into the tender little face hplifted to
mine and beaming with love and grail
tude. Already She had learned to know
the source OF every good and every per-
feet gift. Even so early she had been
taught to number daily blessings, and
her sweet thankfulness eXhalcd uncon-
sciously as the perfume of n flower,
We continued our walk for an hour,
while my little companion chatted mer-
rilv at my side I+m.H"u l-'e .i
To me it was the heartsome music of
cbild's untroubled happiness, and
long after we parted the first strain re-
turned to me over and over: . God
makes the sunshine. Isn't He good?"
Happy little one, to have been nur-
tured in such home. 1t is not the
abode of wealth. Its walls are not
lofty, nor its chambers spacious, and in
it costly decoration finds no place. Its
sole external charm consists in thrift
and order. and that shining cleanliness
which seems only fitting in the homes
of the "pure in heart. Do.
Thrice happy little Bessie, with such
a mother as she who makes this home
and creates its warm, loving atmos-
phere. Not irreverently might she say
to her child; "Silver and gold have |
none but such as | have give | thee. y
Does not the promise to the pure in
heart seem even now fulfilled? for with
her eyes of childhood's perfect faith
does she not already "see Cod in all
the beauty of earth and sky? tla.
In world where all is transitory and
so fraught with trial and sorrow, what
dover can be so precious as the "calm
and thankful heart - which accepts
direct from the Father hand all of the
good gifts of lifeP What talisman could
be hidden in the heart so sweet and
strong as the quick, loving perception
OF all the minor blessings, the small
mercies that crowd our daily pathP
What better armament for the long con-
fict of life than this little one s mother
is furnishing? |.a
Is she not in her home the veritable
good genius who turns everything
into gold|' .l.a....... .. .....-
Young mothers-you who are de-
voting long hours to identifying the
little bodies that God has already
stamped with the seal and likeness OF
His own glorious image-will you not
rather strive to develop this immortal
beauty whirh comes only from within,
which shines from the soul through the
face, and which can only glow with q
brighter radiance when the dark days
come, as come they must to all children
OF earth. -Katherine KanlerOR, IN amer
icaR Messenger. ........f. ...