Lucy Raymond; Or, The Children's Watchword

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yellow with buttercups, with the blue river flowing rapidly past on one side, afforded a pleasant walk at any time, and the rest of the way was still prettier. Just within the boundary of Mill Bank Farm the ground ascended slightly, and then descended into a narrow glen or ravine, with steep, rocky sides luxuriantly draped with velvet moss and waving ferns, while along the bottom of it a little stream flowed quietly enough towards the river, though a little higher up it came foaming and dashing down the

e, came out on the sunny expanse of meadows and corn-fields, in the midst of which stood the neat white farmhouse, with its little array of farm buildings, and the fine old butternut tree, under the shade of which Mrs. Ford sat milking her sleek, gentle cows, little Jenny and Jack sitting on the ground beside her. The instant th

ted Jack sturdily, "if Jenny

touched you the least little bi

ssie. "You almost pull my arm off! I wish you could see how quietly li

school, then?" demanded

r mother's time and thoughts were always so fully engrossed with the round of domestic duties, she might easily find time to teach her little brother and sister as much as they could understand about the Saviour, who had died that they might be made good, and who when on earth had blessed little children. Something Miss Preston had said about home duties-about helping to teach and guide the little brothers and sisters-now recurred to her mind, and con

day," she thought. "I'll begin to-night, when mother and the boys are gone to church;" for

irl. I shan't be through yet for half an hour, for I've the calves to see to; and your father and t

ng things, grumbling a little in her own mind at the difference between her own lot and that of Lucy Raymond, who, she felt sure, had none of these tiresome things to do. She had never thought-what, indeed, older people often lose sight of-that God so arranges the work of all His childr

d about "looking unto Jesus" in every time of temptation, great or small, as well when inclined to be discontented or impatient, as in greater emergencies. The evil principle in her nature rose against her doing so now, but the other power was stronger; and perhaps for the first time in her life, though she r

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hem into a fit of screaming by despotically thwarting their good intentions; and Bessie's patience was not always equal to the ordeal. But on this occasion Mrs. Ford was left to pursue

" and his sister generally remaining with some of her friends in the village during the interval between the morning service and Sunday school, it was comparatively easy for Master Sam to play truant, as indeed he sometimes did from the day school, where his chances of punishment were much greater, Mr. Ford being far more al

"I really believe you haven't forgotten anything, for once. I sh

on young shoulders, and the child has a real good heart." And being a thoroughly active and diligent housekeeper, she generally found it less trouble to supply Bessie's shortcomings herself, so

our teacher?" said her father. "I h

moment she ran up for hers, and brought it down for inspection. It was handed round the table, eliciting various admiring comments, and excit

rrow and get the things to work a book-mark for Miss Preston? I'd

elieve in girls fiddling away their time with such things, and not knowing how to make good cheese and butte

ss I'll not go to church to-night. I've had so much to do that I feel tired out; and if I did go, I'm sure I'd just go to

ad the Bible, and regarded it rather as a lesson-book than as the spiritual food which those who know it truly find "sweeter than honey" to their taste. So it was not a very pleasant prospect to have to hurry off to church again, and she felt very much inclined to make the most of the slight fatigue she felt, and say she was too tired to go, in which case her mother would have willingly

th a sincere desire to live to His glory. How had the desire been carried out? A very busy life hers had been, and still was. The innumerable cares and duties of her family and farm and dairy had filled it with never-ceasing active occupations, as was natural and right; but was it right that these occupations should have so crowded out the very principle that would have given a holy harmony to her life, and been a fountain of strength to meet the cares and worries that will fre

e knew, wholly engrossed with the things of this life; and her boys-steadier, she often thought with pride, than half the boys of the neighbourhood-had never yet been made to feel that they were not their own, but bought with the price of a Saviour's blood. Such higher knowledge as Bessie had was due to Miss Preston, for, like many mothers, she had not scrupled to

she should have to give of the responsibilities abused, the trust unfulfilled. Happily, she did not forget that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins;" and that qui

t was with some surprise that Mrs. Ford

hat same text long ago, just after

do. But if he did preach the same sermon o

n better for us all if we had. Bessie, are you too tired to read a chapter as s

read aloud, at Mrs. Ford's request, the thirteenth of Matthew and the tenth of Hebre