The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-09-02
LITTLE BY llTT.e.
The lesson Taught Discouraged Teaches
by the Little Rain Drops.

The lesson Taught Discouraged ToncneU
by tho Little Rain Drops.
Louise Parr, young girl of sixteen.
offered to take class in the mission.
school, and was given seven ragged,
unkempt boys of ten or twelve years OF
age. She began eagerly to teach them
to spell, and continued to do this for
two or three Sabbaths. After studying
the alphabet she would read to them .
chapter of the Bible and try to explain
it. But one Sunday DR.. Storrs. the old
PASTOR saw that the boys were whis-
pering and scuffiing, while Louise sat
Indifferent, silent and respondent. IA
she walked home he joined her.
What was the matter?" lie asked.
"They know nothing. know little
more. When thought 81 the months,
possibly the years, it would take to
teach them to read the Bible, and Of
all the doctrines and wisdom and Di.
vine meaning in it which do not un.
derstand, concluded to give IL up. II
is of no use to try! 1t is the learned
doctors and great saints who must help
the world. l am nothing but stupid,
weak child"
"Yes," said the old minister, thought.
fully, God has put great store OF
truth here in the world to feed our
souls; in the Bible, in nature, in the
thoughts and lives of men.
Suppose, he said, suddenly, shat
you should see piled up here on the
field all the bread and meat which you
will eat in the course of your life. II
would appall you. You would turn
from it in horror. But you gladly re.
ceive it, mouthful at time, and IL
gives strength and nourishment to your
blood and brain.
"Your soul will be fed by God In the
same way. You are weak and feel
your need Of greater knowledge. He
does not expect you to become as
wise and holy as an apostle or martyr
in an hour, but slowly-as the body
grows.
Human beings do not reach noun
tain heights by one mighty leap. but
foot by foot, tramp, tramp, through
the thorny brush and over rocks. and
through pleasant places, too; by hard
labor and happy rests But they reach
it at last, and stand in the sunshine
above the clouds"
81 can understand that" said Louise.
"But it certainly seems to be folly for
me to try to help these bops. They are
so ignorant, SO Indifferent, and so vi.
cious. And they are but two or three
out of the hundreds like them in our
town. And our town is one out Of
millions in the world, with ignorance
and vice in all. There does not seem
to be any use in trying"
The old pastor was silent for long
time, as they walked along the path
through the fields. He said at last:
what terrible drought we have had
this summer! The ground has been
baked with the heat, and the vegata.
, ton scorched from the Atlantic to the
Mississippi.
!, "When the rain came last week, sup
!, pose each little drop of water, as it left
, the cloud, could have thought and said:
"'Why should fall upon that vast,
: arid plain? What good could lido? II
! needs countless drops to frcshen the
+ ground and bring 1t to life again
d "But the rain-drop did not know what
n God knows, that one drop may wet the
e earth above buried acorn, and help il
4 to become great tree which shall give
q shade and comfort to men for centu
q ries."
,. Louise made no answer to the doc
| Init c1 ,o1,a
a her home she held out her hand, say
). ing:
e 81 suppose all teachers sometime!
:. get discouraged. l will try again.
"a Youths Companion.