The Orphan Boy [pp. 357]

THE ORPHAN BOY.
which it was questioned whether the text had been
repeated quite correct, which was settled by every
one within hearing being made fully acquainted
with the perfect reading of the text. Other modes
might be mentioned, by bringing texts to prove particular subjects, etc. But I may not now enlarge.
The importance of a careful attention to the duty
which I would urge is most evident from the Scripture. "And the words which I command thee this
day shall be in thy heart," is not more authoritative
than that which enjoins, "And thou shalt teach
them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk
of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest
down, and when thou risest up; and thou shalt
bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall
be as frontlets between thine eyes; and thou shalt
write them upon the posts of thy house, and on
thy gates." With such a requisition from the
mouth of the Lord before us, surely any plan that
may be devised to give prominence to the Scriptures in the minds of our children is important.
We have found that not only the attention of our
children, but also of the attendants, and other
members of our household, has been gained by this
process.
I may appear to have digressed; but I have yet
to inform you just how I have found the plan of
storing the minds of my children with Scripture
truth subservient to the interest of family government. By the blessing of the Lord on this process,
I believe I may now say that my little ones have
measurably learned to "sanctify the Lord of hosts
himself in their hearts." Many times have I had
occasion to hope that he alone was their fear and
their dread.
Let me give you a glance of about my usual way
of administering reproof, and the manner of its being received, by furnishing an example which
occurred two or three days since. Little W., who
is not yet five years old, was the delinquent.
"W., dear, did not ma say that you ought not to
do so?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"What sort of a boy, then, were you in doing
this?"
" Disobedient."
"What does God say about disobedience?"
"He says,'Children, obey your parents in the
Lord, for this is right.'"
"Who, then, has W. disobeyed?"
"God."
At this point the tears came in the dear little
fellow's eyes, and he looked very sad, every look
and action bespeaking that his sorrow arose from
having offended GOD.
I am not quite sure whether it was on this occasion, or another quite similar, when he said,
"But I forgot."
"But what will become of you if you forget
God?"
"I shall be wicked, and he will punish me."
"What does God say about the wicked, and them
that forget him?"
He did not repeat the passage quite right, but
made an attempt to repeat,
"The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all
the nations that forget God."
Little W.'s mother felt that he needed no greater
punishment at that time than that which his conscience inflicted.
THE ORPHAN BOY.
BY M. A. EST}.
AH I ah! who loves the orphan boy?
Who smiles when he draws near?
Who speaks to him a kindly word,
Or sheds for him a tear?
I bow'd me to a man of wealth,
And prayed "an orphan's aid;"
He spurned with his cutting breath,
Nor deign'd a crumb of bread.
Before the mansion of the great
I stood, and rapp'd the door;
A pampered menial cried, "Begone!"
Alas I what could I more?
The chilling wind was on my cheek,
My heart was sick and faint Methought the very rocks might feel,
And list to my complaint.
I met a lady-ah, who knows
What founts of love may rise,
And gush in tend'rest sympathy
From such pure, sparkling eyes?
"Ah, lady-O my mother's dead My father-all, save one;
And I'm a helpless child, the heir
Of hopeless poverty.
And wilt thou, 0 say, wilt thou not
Deign hear my mournful wail?
Thou canst not, lady, bar thy heart
Against an orphan's tale."
She turned away: "0 do not turn;
Stay, stay, for pity's sake!"
My eyes grew dim, my brain ran wild;
I thought my heart would break.
She turn'd, turn'd scornfully away,
And left me to my fate!
O, lot of misery and woe,
The orphan's hopeless state!
Ah! ah! who loves the orphan boy?
Who smiles when he draws near?
Who thrills him with a note of joy,
Or sheds for him a tear?
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