his daughter, and longed for a renewal of the confidence that had once existed between them, he did not make an effort to bring this about; why he did not write and tell her of his forgiveness and wish to be reconciled! To this question the answer must be, that Mr. White was too proud to acknowledge himself to be wrong, and to make the first advances towards a reconciliation. He thought much of Susan now, and felt that his conduct towards her had been harsh and unjust; but pride kept him from acknowledging it. wanted his daughter to make the first advance, and admit that she had been wrong, and then he would have been ready to forgive and forget. How much of the misery and wretchedness that exists in this world might be avoided, if that enemy to happiness, pride, could be overcome! How many an aching heart might be healed, and how many a tear wiped away, but for the pride that prevents the kind word being spoken, or the loving forgiveness of a fault tendered, even if unsought. How Mr. White was induced to battle with, and strengthened to overcome this pride, and what were the results of his so doing must be told in another chapter. G. H. S. "Only our Crumbs." HAT an odd title!" exclaimed a merry-loooking girl : 666 "Very uninteresting," replied her sister, a sleepylooking individual. "Read the paper before you make more comments," chimed in the mother. "What an infliction!" drawled Lily. This little family party were enjoying themselves around a cheerful-looking fire, which blazed away and could be replenished without the anxious thought, How are these coals to be paid for? The Darneleys were people very well off; they had made money, and now enjoyed many luxuries. Gertrude, the merry girl, drew near the fire, cleared her voice, and read aloud : "A lonely woman sat by a cheerless fire working away at her needle; her room was scantily furnished, but remarkably clean, and she herself looked calm and patient, though sorrow was no stranger to her.' "I told you so," said Lily; "'tis a miserable tale. I hate those kind of things." 66 'Order," said the mother, laughing; and Gertrude continued reading: "Presently, with a bright countenance she went to the window and watched. She was not naturally an inquisitive woman, prying into her neighbours' affairs; but, of late, at this house you might have seen her with interest looking out. Yes, she said to herself, there is the kindly hand remembering the homely sparrows; and see how naturally they expect their crumbs, waiting patiently, but never being forgotten. Are ye not of much more value than they? "Birdies' voices were singing grace; but this desolate widow had no dinner placed before her, yet her faith failed not. She sat down again at her work; thoughts would enter her mind: once her home had been so bright, not what is called handsomely furnished; it was simple enough, but having a cultivated mind and delighting in all that is beautiful, it naturally happened that order reigned there, and better than all, pure love. Little pattering feet, too, had made music in that home; but now, through sad reverses and death, the past was like a beautiful dream; yet this woman dared to be happy, though she was passing under sharp discipline. God had taken her dear ones; but she had no unpleasant reflections concerning the sainted dead, having been a devoted wife and mother, too much so, some people had said. Tears gathered and fell as she folded her work; they were a great relief, and after a little struggle to overcome them, she prepared to go out, hoping this journey would be a successful one. "The cold air refreshed her, but she felt how ill-dressed she was for such weather, and reaching a house not far distant from her home she knocked, and entering a wellfurnished hall, was soon shown into a snug little room. Seated by the table sat a young lady who was busily engaged writing. "The widow was about to tell her she had done the work she desired, and opened her basket. I will call mamma, said the young lady; oh, no, I need not, I can attend to you without troubling her; so, taking up the work she examined it and candidly said, I only wish I could work like this; why, 'tis beautiful; and looking up into the sad face she smilingly asked what money was due to her. "When the sum was named, she looked astonished. What, she said, it can never be so little? you must have made a mistake. "No, indeed; replied the widow, I have done many things for your mamma for less. "Effie was about to say something, but she bit her lips instead, and taking out her purse, she asked the needlewoman to accept also a trifle from her, because, she said, I am soon going to be married, and the work you will be doing will be for myself, and I object to wear clothes ill paid for. "This was a bright day for the widow; not only the money so needed in her condition, but the gentle kind-hearted girl's manner warmed her heart, and she returned home grateful and feeling better. This was not all that happened, for Effie sifted into the matter and called upon her, and begged to learn how to work so neatly; this was partly a little excuse for again calling; she wished to cheer the lonely woman; for Effie was about to marry a clergyman, and she felt she ought to interest herself in such cases as these, and she also wanted to be expert in cutting out clothes. "Poor little Effie! hers had been a very expensive education, but she was sadly ignorant in many respects; she desired to be useful as well as accomplished; a really good wife so she learnt many an excellent lesson from the poor widow, and greatly cheered her during her visits. "Ere many weeks passed Effie's marriage took place; and she left London to live in a quiet town, her new home being the vicarage, a rambling old place. "What a wonderful change of scene this was to the young girl! Her husband seemed to have so much to attend to, and interested her in those around; but he often found her in a state of wonderment; she wished to superintend the domestic arrangements, but the two servants soon saw how incompetent she was, and many busy, clever, unamiable women were ever on the alert to trip her up in some little work she was engaged in in her husband's parish. Fortunately, she knew who could comfort her, and great was her joy when her husband proposed her sending for her poor friend the widow to be a kind of housekeeper; and he dryly remarked, Then, when I am deep in my subject you will find it less dull, having a sensible woman to chat to sometimes. "You can easily imagine how the widow had missed Effie, and received the offer with gratitude. For the last time she watched the sparrows flying to the opposite window to partake of their crumbs. "How often this sight had cheered her and strengthened her faith; now her heart was full, a useful life was before her ; she was naturally a bright, clever woman, sorrow for a time had crushed her spirit, she had found that poverty was not so hard to bear as loneliness. She packed her few things together, sold her scanty furniture, and prepared her wardrobe, for Effie, with a thoughtfulness worthy of her, had sent her the means to replenish and make a respectable appearance. And never did she repent: she soon learnt the mysteries of housekeeping, her husband praised her; and every loving wife well knows what that means. "Long did the widow remain in this happy home; she became nurse to Effie's children, and never in stern winter did she forget to save the crumbs for the birds. Go, dear reader, and do likewise.' "Not so bad or so gloomy, after all," said Lily, who had not fallen asleep, and daily might, after this, have been seen gathering up crumbs, and often cutting off a little from the loaf and spreading the same on the window-sill, much to her brother's amusement. 66 The reading about that widow was the making of Lily; she seemed to awake out of her dream and forget herself in thinking of others. Only our Crumbs." Ah! how tiny the things which are God's Spirit can convert into marvellous use ! How also one bright loving spirit in this world of ours uses influences that spread! Sometimes the most simple events lead to grand results. It is just the same with evil, one sin often leading to utter ruin. But we prefer dwelling upon the bright side of human nature, and would urge all to trust in God under all the adverse circumstances of life; and surely, if our bodies need bread to strengthen them, and God gives it to us daily, so will He much more give us His Holy Spirit if we ask Him, for our souls require large blessings; and if we would bless others we must first be blessed ourselves. H. W. P. Miracles. HAT an age was the age of miracles; and how much there was in that age to awaken the attention, to astonish the mind, to impress the heart, and confirm the faith of those who witnessed them in the Divine mission of those who wrought them. Every miracle had a voice, and it was the voice of God. It proclaimed to the world that those who wrought miracles had the presence of God, and were sent by God, and were divinely com |