Smyrna times., 1883-01-03
The Evening Hymn.

The Evening Hymn.
1t was lovely home where lisa Craig
and her brother and sister lived; wide
grounds stretched all around the
house, and the view from the window
was most extensive. Indoors, comfort
and luxury met one at every turn; one
would think it was impossible not to
be happy there.
But there was a shadow that was
growing darker and darker in that
beautiful house-the father was becom-
ing too fond of drink.
1t was terrible pang to Mrs. Craig
when she found it out. She had never
thought her husband could come under
the power of such terrible curse and
while doing all she could to win him
from it, she carefully taught her
children the blessings of virtue.
The children were a very devoted
trio. You seldom saw one without the
others. Isa was happy, lively girl,
and her brother and sister thought no
playmate could equal her. They had
all sweet voices, and their mother
taught them to sing in parts, herself
often joining them, so that the effect
was very pleasing.
One Christmas Eve they were sing
ing together, just before little May
went to bed. They thought they were
all alone, for their mother had been
called away, and they did not know
that their father was in the inner room
The door was ajar, and he could JUS
see the sweet child faces as he lay bach
in the arm chair. He watched then
for while with a heart full of love fo
each, when the thought flashed acros
him. Am 1 going to bring sorrow t,
those young hearts, and shadow thei
, faces with grief?" His wife had beel
pleading with him only an hour befor
to Danish liquor from the house, an
| now the children seemed all uncon
sciously to be urging the same thing.
: After one or two hymns, they sue
denly began:
Glory 10 Thee. my God, this night.
/ For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, o keep me- King of kings,
Beneath Thine owR Almighty wings
Verse after verse they sang, and Il
hymn carried its own message to tt
!, fathers hear.
: "Ah," he said softly to himself,
: have need to ask for forgiveness
: the ills l have done to-day. / a
" assuredly not leading my noble boy
=" the right way. 1 should not-no,
u should not--like to see him walking
~ the same path that am treading. G.
:" forgive me-"
With new feelings and desires in
heart he called the children to him
., say good night, and he noticed with
:" pang of shame that May shrank fr(
- his caress.
H. What is it, little one? Don't y
w love papa?"
ie. "Yes," said the child. wistfull
Gu "but, papa, your kisses don't ia
ny nice"
'ru "You shall not have to say t
H. again, May, darling. Sing me ,
u, verse of the evening hymn again, ;
i"i then run away to bed"
ny Mr.. Craig had been alone some Il
NY when his wife returned. He cal
icy her to him, and told her of his I
'oy resolve.
ga Dear wife, your words and exam
ue' have not been lost on me, though I
coward enough to think l could
cut live without spirits. But those sv
llly child-voices have by Gods bles
ple' completed what you began, and
he will Danish drink entirely from
les- house. 1t is good time to CONNIE
gh' a new life."
en- Mrs. Craig wept for joy, and ];
Inc by her husbands side as he so,
INK grace from God to keep his resolve
'asV Then what happy evenings 7
'he spent Papa's rich tenor voice min
with the children's clear treble
y Is alto, and mamma thought she
'he never heard anything so sweet.
had most love6 Of oil tho sonos wos
{ ol the evening hymn that brough
.i'er much peace and joy to that HI
+. 10 household; for Mr.. Craig kept
nor' resolve, and forever after liv'
lore' blameless life.
-ent,