The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-08
INVALID JOHNS" CONTRIBUTION.
He Gives an Extract from Good Book
That He Has Read.

lie Gives an Extract from Good Book
That He Has Read.
DEAR H.. C. FRIENDs:-I am glad 10
hear you talking about the good books
you have been reading this winter. 1t is
OF great help to those who are trying TO
select good literature.
have Just finished reading q very good
book, il is called " Words of Cheer,
edited by L. S. Arthur. II the editor will
permit here is one OF the many nice
pieces it contains.
God is the author Of all blessings. There is
no truth, perhaps, to which We are more ready
10 give our assent than this; and yet, great
many people seem 20 act as II they did not be-
lieve 10, or, ut least, as IL they were prone TO
forget IT, A traveller stopped &C fOun tain,
and letting tho rein he held tail upon the neck
OF his horse, permitted the thirsty animal TO
drink OF the cooling water that came pouring
down from a rocky hill, aud spread itself out
In n basin below. While the weary beast re-
freshed himself the traveller looked at the
bright stream that sparkled in tha sunlight,
and said thus 10 himself: "What blessing Is
water How Is retreshes. strengthens and
purifes And how bountifully IL 10 givenl
Everywher flows this good gilt OF cur Heaven
y Father. and IL is as free As the air 10 man
came to the fountain. She had vessel ia her
hand, and she stopped to iill il with water.
Give me a drink, my good little Cir, )" said
the Traveller And with "A smiling face. the
obi d reached her pitcher TO the man, Who still
sat on his hOtse,
"Who made this waterY said the traveller, as
he handed the vessel back TO tho child
"God made it, was the quick reply.
"And do you know anything that water 10
like2
"oh. yesl Father says that water is like
truth"
"Does heY"
Eyes, sir. He says that water is like truth,
because ruth purihes the mind as water does
the body"
THAT is wisely said" returned The traveller.
"And Truth quencheB our thirst tor know edge,
as water quenohes the thirst OF our lips"
The little girl smiled ne this Was said aud,
taking up her pitcher. went back 70 her home.
Yes water represents truth" said the
traveller. rs he rode thoughtiully away, the
child was right. lt puTihes and retreshss rs.
and il spreads out like truth on every hand.
free for those who will take IT, Whenever
look upon water again | will think of IL as
representing truth, and then | will remember
that IL was important to the minds health aud
purity TO have truth IL lie for the body 20
have water. Thus from simple fountain, 40
il leaps out from the side OF a hill the
traveller gained lesson OF wisdom. and
we pass through the world we may find In
almost every natural OBJECT that exists some
thing that will turn minds to higher and
better thoughts.
Every tree aud flower every green thing that
grows, aud every beast OF the field and bird of
the air hRvs ia them a Specification II we could
but learn II. They speak 10 us in spiritual
language and figure forth to our natural senses
the higher, more beautiful and more enduring
things of the mind.
Our reading should be Of the purest and
best as Maud Mape" saws We read a
great deal and reflect too little. Welcome
"Csilens" Your letter was good; come
often. Now. if those girls don't give you
a seat Just come over by me. you know
We are friends. peach Blossom" don't
wait too long. Give us some more of that
good story. Aunt Sue" are you not able
10 come to the page soon? We miss you.
Cheerful Invalid" why are you silent 50
long. Farmer Boy" "Speedwell, a
Late Conner" and many others come
often Jean Falconer," | am glad to see
that you have not forsaken US.
Oh, yes; there is Farmer Girl" cor
phan Carrie, and go many others that |
cannot mention ali. Accept best wishes
from INVALID JOHN"
North Vernon, Ind, Feb. %.