double line decoration
tombTOMB OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
TOMB OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
with Isabella barely seen behind FerdinantFERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.
This remarkable woman, Isabella of Spain, lived four hundred years ago. Her name is always associated with that of her husband, Ferdinand, King of Castile and Aragon. Isabella was a woman of strong character and great resolution, as well as of remarkable talent. She married the one whom she wished to marry in spite of the opposition of her brother, and his threats of imprisonment. Upon the death of her brother, Henry the Fourth, Isabella was the heir to the throne. However, she met with opposition, and it was only after warring with the partisans of her rival that she gained her seat upon the throne. She reigned jointly with her husband, and their reign is spoken of as that of Ferdinand and Isabella. It was an eventful reign; many reforms were introduced, justice was firmly administered and crimes punished. The nobility were restrained from acts of oppression. Their reign is also conspicuous for the conquest of Granada; it is said that the honors of the Moorish war belonged by right to Isabella rather than her husband, for she personally directed the campaigns, and during the ten years the war lasted spent much of the time in camp. There are some dark spots which mar the brilliancy of this woman'srecord; one is the establishment of the Inquisition.
We find that when a certain cardinal of the Roman Church presented his plan of the "Spanish Inquisition" to the King and Queen, that while Ferdinand approved, Isabella hesitated for a time; it may be that her woman's heart made her hesitate to condemn all who did not agree with her in religious matters. Perhaps you do not know what is meant by the Inquisition.
Old buildings, lightning in the backgroundTHE PRISON OF THE INQUISITION.
THE PRISON OF THE INQUISITION.
The Inquisition was a court established for the purpose of seeking out and punishing, or in some cases banishing, heretics. This meant all who were not Romanists. I cannot think that a woman so amiable, so kind and so devout, had other than good intentions in even this matter. The King and Queen doubtless had the best interests of their people at heart, and they looked also to the advancement of their church. They wanted too to gain the favor of the Pope. Doubtless there was a variety of motives urging them on; one writer says—
"Fear, piety, patriotism, absolutism and ambition" all influenced them.
And when we are inclined to condemn our beautiful queen, we must remember that she was educated by a bigoted mother, that she lived in bigoted times and that her advisers were sustained by the highest authority she recognized—the Papal court. Let us judge her leniently and put the blame of this act and of that other edict, the expulsion of the Jews, elsewhere.
Let us think of her interest in Columbus, for it was she who took an interest in his project of seeking a new world beyond the seas, and who offered even to part with her jewels in order to furnish means for the carrying out of his grand scheme.
We all know how it ended, and surely we as Americans will ever cherish her memory.
She was a most gracious queen, beautiful in face, pleasing in manner, and very loving as a wife and mother. And among the royal personages of her beloved Spain the name of Isabella stands foremost.
Faye Huntington.
double line decoration
Gunpowder, which is as you know a mixture of saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal separately pulverized, then granulated and dried, and guns, were first invented by Swartz, a monk of Cologne, in 1340; Edward the Third had four pieces of cannon, which contributed to gain him the battle of Cressy, 1346; bombs and mortars were invented in the same year.
double line decoration
Round the Family Lamp
"DO you think you could pick out your papa, if you only saw his eyes?"
"Oh, what a question!" Ethel laughs in great amusement. "I guess I couldn't help knowing my papa, if I only saw one eye!"
Well, now you try it, Ethel, and let all the others try it—this funny and perplexing game of mummies.
Get the clothes-frame in from the kitchen, cover it nicely with newspapers, first taking the precaution to see that sheets or waterproofs conceal all the bottom of it, for of course if you saw your papa's boots sticking out, Ethel; or you, Fred, saw just an inch of mamma's blue gown that you think is just the prettiest gown in all the world, why, then you could guess the eyes that were above the boots or the gown!
If you have several pairs of eyes to guess at the same time, it is necessary to paste the newspapers securely together so as to admit back of them, a row of people. Now then, cut holes in your newspaper just large enough for a pair of eyes to see through. This is a nice job to do, as you will find out whoever does it for the first time. You will be quite surprised to see that your pair of holes look as if one eye was to be on the further side of the cheek, and, as the children say, "a mile too big," showing all the shading of eyelashes and brows. You must expect a shout at your expense as you triumphantly stand up to fit them to the one who is waiting to have them tried on him. But you will bear the fun nicely, and join in it, I hope, for let me tell you that no one who is unable to bear a joke or a bit of nice fun at himself, ought to play games. Why, the jolliest, loveliest companion in a frolic is the girl or boy who is sweet-tempered, and is so intent on making other people happy that he or she has no time to get suspicious in the mind that "somebody is laughing at him." The member of a family party who spoiled all the sweet fun of everybody, by resentment in this way at every bit of amusement started, thinking it pointed at him, was at last, all patience exhausted, dubbed "Old Porcupine," because his quills were always out, angrily trying to defend himself from nothing!
Don't you begin the New Year in this way, will you, dear Pansies, but play your games fairly, and in a kind, loving spirit.
Well, after you have your—not button-holes, but—eye-holes all ready, and your frame completed, you are all prepared for the company. If you want a row of people to exhibit their eyes, of course you must have a row of the holes. Supposing you have only one. The frame is placed in front of a door opening into another room or a hall, from which the actors are to come, the audience sitting on chairs on the other side of the frame. Now a boy or girl who is ready at speaking, and can say funny little things nicely, must stand before the frame, and introduce the strange beast or bird, or man or woman, or child, or mummy, just what the showman chooses to call it, to the assembled company. He must say, "Ladies and gentlemen, this creature is such a dangerous creature, that we can show you nothing of it but its eyes, for it might scare you. Walk up, ladies and gentlemen, and examine it at your leisure, and tell the name of this 'What is it?'" etc.
The audience after the conclusion of the speech, are allowed to walk in front of the paper frame, and give two guesses each, to whom the eyes staring at them through the eye-holes belong. If you make as wrong guesses as I do, you will distinguish yourselves!
Then after every one has guessed who the mummy is, and all wrongly, the showman commands it to step out and show itself. Then what shouts!
When all the mummies in the outer room have been exhibited, the audience can take their places, the former mummies taking the seats asguessers. If you choose, there can be a change of showmen, and Ben, who did so nicely and kept everybody laughing, will now, I am sure, be willing to give his place to cousin Louise, and the game will roll on fairly. May you have great sport in it.
Margaret Sidney.
In future, when the game is a long one, involving many words, there will be but one given. "Round the Evening Lamp" must not crowd out the other good things planned for the Pansies, and we must all respect the printer. When you grow up and write for magazines, dear children, you will understand this!M. S.
In future, when the game is a long one, involving many words, there will be but one given. "Round the Evening Lamp" must not crowd out the other good things planned for the Pansies, and we must all respect the printer. When you grow up and write for magazines, dear children, you will understand this!
M. S.
double line decoration
THERE is no such thing ascold. When we call a thing cold we only mean it has but little heat in it, for everything, evenice, has some heat in it.
We can readily measure the amount of heat in different things, and we know a great deal about how it acts, but we really do not know what it is. Heat is neverby itself, but always with something else. We may have hot water, we may have hot iron, but no one has ever been able to divide the heat from the water or iron, and keep it divided.
We can easily make heat pass from one thing into another, but when things which have different amounts of heat are put together the heat will spread itself around so as to make all of the same temperature. A piece of iron put into fire becomes hot, because the warmth passes from the fire into the iron until both have the game amount of heat.
Most of the heat in the world comes from the sun. We can set fire to things by gathering the sun's rays and bringing them to a point with a lens.
Ice, you well know, "is water in a solid state. It is formed under the influence of extreme cold. It is a nearly solid, transparent, brittle substance, of a crystalline structure. It melts into water at the temperature of thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit."
In hot countries ice is made in a machine worked on philosophic principles.—Selected.
double line decoration
HOLLAND is the country for skating. People of all ages engage in it. The rivers there are very numerous. It is a pretty sight to see a grand plain of ice covered with persons thus amusing themselves. The most skilful skater is at the head; each catches the coat of the one before him—the weakest in the middle.
Some of the best-trained ones perform all manner of dexterous tricks, much to the amusement of the great crowds. A good skater makes twelve miles an hour. Some who do not like skating have a curious sledge, resembling a ship, in which you may go twenty-four miles an hour. Is not that very wonderful?
They fasten to the vessel a very strong piece of iron which cuts into the ice. It has a sail larger than that of a real vessel of the same size, so the wind propels it, and it is steered as though on water. This, however, is quite a dangerous amusement. They are often dashed against something and broken to pieces. Besides, some cannot endure cutting the air at such a speed.
It is a grand sight to see all things like a fine panorama before you whilst travelling at lightning speed, in one of those singular sledges. In these they often go from Amsterdam to Saardam; this latter place is one of the nicest in Holland. The houses are wooden, and all nicely painted. The people are so neat that they will not permit a carriage to pass through their streets. Wealthy Dutch merchants reside here. Here Peter the Great once worked as a carpenter, to learn ship-building. Near by are two thousand windmills, and one for grinding coffee, and also sawmills, which saw thirty planks at a time.
There is a story told which I think will amuse you. An ambassador wrote to the Emperor of Morocco, that during certain seasons all the rivers of the Netherlands were covered with something resembling sugar-candy, and which could bear horses and carriages, and that vast multitudes glided over these cakes like ostriches, with smooth irons fastened to their feet. The Emperor thought this so marvellous that he called him a story-teller.
The people are very reckless; sometimes go gliding over the ice in sledges when it is really bending under their weight.
Ringwood.
portraitQUEEN EMMA OF HOLLAND, AND PRINCESS WILHELMINA.
QUEEN EMMA OF HOLLAND, AND PRINCESS WILHELMINA.
double line decoration
Volume 13, Number 13.Copyright, 1886, byD. Lothrop& Co.Jan. 30, 1886.
THE PANSY.
THE PANSY.
three children rolling a huge snowballTHE CEDARS OF LEBANON.
three children rolling a huge snowballTHE CEDARS OF LEBANON.
THE CEDARS OF LEBANON.
I
I STARTED from Walnut Hills. You may not find the name in your geographies, so I will just hint to you that it is one of the parlors of Cincinnati;thatyou can find.
Down Gilbert Avenue in a car which made good progress, notwithstanding its frequent stops to take on more people. "Who makes it go?" asked a wee girlie who was evidently taking her first ride of the kind. Sure enough! Who did? No horse or mule; no engine to be seen; no visible means of making that car slip over the road as it did.
The child repeated her eager question: "Mamma, who makes it go? There isn't any horsie."
"It is a cable car, my child," the mother answered, with a look of profound wisdom in her eyes.
"What is a cable car, mamma?"
"It is a car that goes without horses."
"But whatmakesit go?" was the third time repeated query. Then the small questioner, and I, listened for words of wisdom from the mother'slips. "I told you, Alice, it was a cable car; now be quiet; you ask too many questions." I think Alice and I came to the same conclusion; that the mother did not understand how to explain a cable car, and did not want to own it.
Now you are askingmewhat a cable car is. Oh, dear! I don't understand how to tell you; and I will own it. I have questioned until it is pretty clear to me, but as I said, I don't know how to tell it. You see, the one who explained it to me, seated me in a chair at one side, and said: "You are the engine." This astonishing statement held me quiet, while he put into my hand a tiny cord which he said was a very strong and heavy band. Being bound to believe him, I watched the band placed around a great wheel, on the street in front of me. Away down the street, about two miles, was another wheel, and a rope which had neither beginning nor end was placed around both wheels; at least that was what "he" said. To be sure, it looked to me like the study table, and an inkstand, and a tin can with some twine around them. But sinceIwas an engine, why could not they be two great wheels connected by a rope? "Now," said the speaker, "you—being the engine, you understand—are set in motion, and the band about you being connected with this great wheel, when the band moves, the great wheels do the same, and the iron rope responds, and moves round and round. Now here comes along a car" (it wasn't, it was a spool of thread; never mind!) "here comes along a car drawn by horses; but this a steep ascent" (it was as level as the floor), "and they want to use engine power, so they take off the horses, and a little contrivance underneath grasps the chain, and away goes the car. Understand?"
Yes, I understand, after a fashion. The question is, Do you? Well, we went down town on the cable car.
Arrived at the city, we went with speed to a music store, made our way up stairs to the "parlors." We were late; every chair taken; very little standing room left. We found some, however, to stand in, and were glad even for this opportunity of hearing the sweet-voiced speaker. Who who she? Her name is Layah Barrakat.
A strange-sounding name? Oh, yes, she is a foreigner. Her birthplace is away among the mountains of Lebanon. Once she was a little heathen girl; and the strange sad things she told would have made the tears come to your eyes. If ever you hear or read that Layah Barrakat is to speak on Foreign Missions in any building near where you live, I want you to be sure to hear her.
Let me tell you the story of a pair of red shoes. Our missionaries had a Sabbath-school near where Layah lived; but she had been taught that it was a very wicked place, and she must have nothing to do with it.
One day a lady from the Mission met Layah and invited her to Sabbath-school, telling her she would make her a present of a pair of new shoes if she would come. Layah wanted the shoes; she told her mother about it and begged to go, just once, to get the shoes, promising she would not listen to, or remember a word that was said; so the mother agreed, and she went. But there she heard such wonderful things she could not help listening, and remembering; for the first time she heard about Jesus; how he loved her very much, and had a beautiful home waiting for her, and would show her the way to it if she would follow him. In all her life Layah had never heard of anything like this. She wanted to follow the kind friend who loved her. She received her shoes, beautiful red ones, and she thought a good deal of them, but when Sunday came again she wanted to go back to the school, and hear more about Jesus. She did not dare tell her mother of her wish, for she knew punishment would follow; but at last her desire to go grew so strong that she ran away. Her brother found out where she was, and came for her, scolding and whipping her all the way home.
But all the scolding could not take from her what she had learned. It is a long story, the trials she went through, and the punishments she received for wanting to be a Christian. She used to be cruelly whipped, and shut up in a dark cellar without anything to eat. But it was all to no purpose; she had heard enough of Jesus to make her hungry forhim. Nothing else would satisfy her; she was determined to follow him, cost what it might.
By and by, good Doctor Nassau, a missionary, became interested in her; he wrote to somefriends in America, telling her story, and a Sabbath-school in West Philadelphia determined to adopt and educate her. So they gathered their pennies, and sent them out, and Layah went to the mission school; but she had to run away from home in order to do so.
The story of her life since then reads almost like a fairy tale; one can hardly imagine it possible that all the strange experiences of which she tells, could have come to her. How she grew up, and married, and went to Egypt as a missionary; how her brother, the very one who used to whip her through the streets, became a Christian, and a teacher in the Mission; how her mother, soon after, learned to love Jesus; how Layah saved many little girls in Egypt; how when the troubles came there, she escaped with her husband and child, after suffering dreadful things, and came to this country, and went wandering through the streets of Philadelphia, in search of one man whom she had met in Egypt—Dr. Dulles Chestnuts—this was his name, as she remembered it.
How the children of the streets chased them, calling them gypsies, how the very dogs barked at them, how she sat down at last on a doorstep, and cried to think that she had come to Christian America, and could find no friend; all these things are deeply interesting. I wish you could have heard her tell them.
Was it not wonderful that at last she should have found the very friend whom she sought? a policeman spoke kindly to her, took her into a store, looked in a directory for her, and found that her friend was Doctor Dulles, on Chestnut street. After that, the way to rest and help was smooth; she began to realize that she was indeed in a Christian country.
For three years she has been living in Philadelphia. She goes over the country to visit churches, and Mission Bands, wherever she is invited, to tell her beautiful, and sorrowful, and joyful, and altogether wonderful story.
Pansy.
double line decoration
Happiness is a perfume that one cannot shed over another without a few drops falling on one's self.
Happiness is a perfume that one cannot shed over another without a few drops falling on one's self.
double line decoration
T
THE scholars at Number Five, or many of them, brought a noon-day lunch instead of going home to dinner. And very pleasant times they had, sitting under the trees in summer, picnic fashion, or gathering in little groups in doors, in winter. Sometimes they had games after lunch, and sometimes the teacher told stories. One day she told them a story of a missionary hen, and straightway several of the scholars determined to have missionary hens. Helen Lynch pondered the matter, but saw no way of getting the hen. Her father might give her one, but she was not sure; she had heard him say that missions were a humbug, and she had little hope of his co-operation in the scheme. She was walking slowly along the river path when she heard a fluttering on the bank and a sound which seemed like that of a bird in distress. Putting down her lunch basket and umbrella she went to see what was the matter and found hid among the tall grass a young duck that seemed to be hurt in some way.
flowers and ducksflowers and ducksflowers and ducksflowers and ducksflowers and ducks
"It must be Mr. Brown's," she said to herself, "for I do not know of any one else who has young ducks," and she took the frightened and suffering duck in her arms and carried it to Mr. Brown, but that gentleman looking down upon the little girl smilingly said, "See here, little one, what would you do with it if it were yours?"
"I'd try to make it well, and then I'd make a missionary duck of it."
"A missionary duck! What is that?"
Then Helen explained that a missionary hen was one the proceeds of which in eggs and chickens were set apart by the owner for missionary money and of course a missionary duck would be the same. Mr. Brown laughed. "Well, that is a funny idea. Suppose I give you a pair—that is, I will give you this one if you will cure it, and I will give you a mate to it and we will see how much money you make out of the investment."
Helen's eyes danced with pleasure. The wounded duck soon recovered, and before the end of summer she had quite a flock of young ducks which afforded her no end of enjoyment. True she had to watch them closely and look outfor her mischievous brothers lest her flock come to harm, but she did not mind the trouble. Meantime there was a great interest growing up among the scholars in missionary enterprises. There were missionary hens and turkeys; missionary cabbages and turnips, and even missionary pigs. The months went by and Thanksgiving was near at hand. After considerable thinking as to the feasibility of the scheme, Miss Lee, the teacher in Number Five, proposed a plan by which some of the chickens and turkeys might be disposed of to good advantage. Willie Smith was the owner of a small printing press, and about two weeks before Thanksgiving twenty tickets bearing the words, "Thanksgiving dinner at two o'clock at the schoolhouse. Admit one," were put into the hands of two of the most energetic boys to be sold at forty cents each.
flowers and ducksflowers and ducks
"There are a number of people in the neighborhood who will be glad to get a nice dinner and save themselves the hard work of getting it up," reasoned Miss Lee. "Mrs. Graves told me the other day that she should not try for anything extra this year on account of her lame wrist, and Miss Smith is so lonely since her brother went away, I am sure she will be glad to eat her dinner in good company."
Sure enough the twenty tickets were soon sold and more called for. Twenty more were sent out. "That is positively all we can accommodate," said Miss Lee. The dinner was a success. Four large turkeys, three ducks and a chicken pie or two were disposed of. Interested fathers and mothers had lent some slight assistance, but for the most part the work was done by Miss Lee and the scholars. The forty guests were well pleased with their dinner. The tired mothers were grateful in their hearts to Miss Lee for the thought which had given them a rest; surely it was to them a day of Thanksgiving.
At the end of the feast Mr. Brown arose and moved a vote of thanks to their entertainers, which being properly seconded and carried the gentleman continued, "I suppose it is well understood that we have been feasting upon missionary turkeys, and missionary hens, and missionary ducks as well as other good things to which the same adjective belongs. Now I trust that none of us suppose for one instant thatwehave given one cent to the mission cause by coming here to eat our dinner and paying a small sum for it. That is purely a business transaction; these young people have earned the money, and I congratulate them upon their enterprise. Now I understand that they have several turkeys and ducks as well asother things left over. And I wish to call out an expression from the friends here who have enjoyed their hospitality to-day. Shall we have our Christmas dinner prepared for us at the same place and under the same auspices? All in favor say 'aye.'"
Then such a shout as went up seemed almost to raise the roof. A little time was spent socially, during which Mr. Brown told the story of the lame duck, and added as he finished, "Our little Helen here gave me an idea and I do not know but I may as well tell you that I have a missionary cow nowadays!" Presently the diners-out went to their homes, leaving the young people to their dinner and their work of clearing up.
Faye Huntington.
double line decoration
B
BERTIE and his mother were spending the summer at the Thousand Islands; they had a pretty cottage that overlooked the river, and Bertie was very fond of watching the never-ceasing ripple of the waters, and he learned to look for the different boats that ply the waters of the St. Lawrence during the season. One day an excursion boat touched the pier and a company of gayly dressed soldiers stepped off. What boy's heart does not beat quicker at the sight of a finely-uniformed military company? Bertie was no exception to the rule, and gave his mother no rest until she had promised to take him out into the park where he could see the soldiers. And accordingly after dinner they strolled out and Mrs. Grant and a friend found seats under the trees where they could read or talk and keep an eye upon the restless boy.
Just before leaving home for the Islands Bertie had been taught a bit of a poem which he had recited at a Sunday-school concert. One line ran:
I'm a little soldier fighting for the right.
The soldiers were strolling about in pairs and singly, and Bertie stood near the fountain watching a fine-looking fellow who had stopped for a cool drink of sparkling water. Suddenly the words of his recitation came into his mind and without hesitation he stepped up to the stranger and said:
"Man, are you a soldier fighting for the right?" and then stood still looking at the soldier as if waiting for a reply.
"Who are you?" asked the stranger.
"Oh,
I'm a little soldier fighting for the right!"
and then, Bertie seized with a sudden spasm of timidity, ran away to find his mother.
The soldier's name was John Lewis; he turned away and rejoined his companions, but the words of the fair-faced, soft-voiced child still sounded in his ear. He wasnotfighting for the right; he was perfectly well aware that he had enlisted upon the side of the leader who is bound to oppose the right under all circumstances.
He knew that the banner under which he was marching had sin written all over it. It was Satan's banner, and he was doing work for that leader that was telling upon his own life. It already, young as he was, began to show in his face, in his unsteady step and foul breath. He knew that so surely was he bound to the service of that master, that if he could have found a glass of liquor upon the grounds he would not have stopped to drink at the fountain, and would not have given Bertie the opportunity for his childish questioning.
Some way, the voice would not be stilled. "Fighting for the right!" If not, why not? Because I am a fool; he did not say this aloud, but in his own heart he knew it was true. And there came to him the memory of a quiet country village, of a little sitting-room, a round stand, a Bible, a chair where he knew that mother often knelt and prayed for him, asking that he might be led to enlist under that other banner, even the banner of Jesus Christ.
"What is going on under that big tent?" asked one of his comrades.
"They are having some sort of a religious meeting, I reckon," replied another.
"We may as well stroll over that way and look in for a while. It will do no harm to mix in a little religion, I suppose."
And so the three "looked in" upon a religious service held in the great tabernacle. Strangely enough the speaker who occupied the platform uttered words which exactly matched John Lewis' mood. The others thought them commonplace enough, but to John Lewis' newly-awakened consciousness they seemed simply wonderful.
"That man is fighting for the right," he said to himself; "now ifIwere! What if Ishouldturn right about and resign my commission in Satan's army and enlist in the army of the Lord? What if I should now? Wouldn't the boys stare?" and he chuckled inwardly over the thought of their amazement at such a move on his part. "And what would mother say? I don't know but she would die of joy. That would be a pity, but, after all, it might be better than to die of grief, and I reckon she'll do that if I keep on fighting under the old leader. I believe I will make a swap."
"Next summer" had come. Again John Lewis joined his comrades on an excursion to the Islands; again he drank from the fountain, and as he turned away he said to a friend:
"It was right here that the little fellow asked me that question. I would like to see him again and tell him I am fighting for the right now."
But Bertie was not to know of the result of his interest in the stranger. He has never seen his soldier friend since that day of his first missionary effort, but we hope that both are still fighting for the right.
Faye Huntington.
double line decoration
September 16, 1885.
My Dear Pansies:
I hope you will never see such a sad sight as our little children saw this evening. A Turcoman who has his tent in our yard was beating his poor wife, and the little children—his children, I mean—were running away screaming. You would think their houses very curious were you to see them. His wives build his house for him in a very short time when the fleas become so plenty that they are compelled to move. The materials consist of a ridgepole, some boards, and two wooden troughs, one for each side. Crotched sticks are driven in to hold the ridgepole, the pole laid across, and the boards set up against it with the ends placed in the troughs which are for the purpose of carrying off the rain. This man's mother lives in a tent of black cloth made of goat's hair. Poor old woman! She has quite a number of grandchildren whom one would think she might pet, but she sits nursing and fondling a little kid. It is a pretty sight to see the great flock of goats go out in the morning, and come home in the evening. There are black, white, gray and mottled. Some are huge fellows, as large as a calf. A few nights ago a wild beast of some kind caught a kid. The kid made an outcry, and the dogs came and rescued it. We heard afterwards that the beast was a leopard, which has its den about half a mile away from us. It has carried off seven goats from one of our neighbors.
Now I must tell you a little about our schoolgirls. There are nine. Two of these are Moslems and had heard nothing about the true religion except what little they may have learned from their brother, who was last year baptized into the Christian church. Since coming here in the last of June they have committed to memory all of the Short Catechism known in English as Brown's, and ten Psalms. The eldest a few days ago when taking some gum arabic to her teacher, took a lump and hid it away. Some of the girls saw her trying to hide something away, and found out what it was. Her teacher then talked to her, and told her how wrong she had done. Since then she asked if it was stealingto taste the food as she was cooking it. It is so new to them to be taught that it is wrong to break the Sabbath, to tell lies or to steal, if the article stolen is of little value. The man of whom I told you above says of us, "Ah, you have everything very nice here, and we have nothing, but hereafter you will be tormented, and we will be happy in the Paradise that Mohammed has prepared for us." Is it not sad to think of such delusion? This very man cheats on all hands, and is even said to be connected with a gang of thieves.
And now I will give you an instance of an Arab's self-respect. A day or two ago a man brought three quails, and said such a man had sent them as a present to the doctor. The doctor thanked him, and then the man wanted a present for bringing them. "Give him the quails," said the doctor, and off he went with them again.
I could fill pages with accounts of the dreadful effects of heathenism on this people, but it is only what is seen in every place where the Gospel has not yet gone. This is the hardest trial of the missionaries' life—more than any physical deprivation—the being compelled to live among such people. It always makes me think what a long martyrdom the life of our blessed Saviour must have been on earth. It was not only that hesawandheardsuch things, but he knew everythoughtin the wicked hearts of those about him. Dear little sisters, will you not begin even in your childhood to work for Him? Todenyyourselves that these benighted miserable people all over the world may have this Gospel light? And you can always pray for those who are engaged in this work. I hope some of you may grow up to go far away to the Gentiles yourselves.
Lovingly, your friend,Mary E. Metheny.
double line decoration
A little Moslem child accounted for her preference for the Christian religion by saying, "I like your Jesus because he loves little girls. Our Mohammed did not love little girls." With unerring instinct she had seized upon at least one of the great differences between the two religions.
double line decoration
THE following touching story is told of a poor Hindoo mother, a native of Kedgeree in India:
This woman lived on the Ganges, near Sanger Island. She was the mother of a pair of beautiful twin babies. But one of these children was a girl, and the poor benighted mother on that account supposed herself to be under "Gunga's" curse for some offence she had committed.
A missionary's wife found her lamenting, and heard the story of her grief. The god must be appeased, the woman said. He was certainly angry, or the children would have both been boys, and with good eyes. She would have to make a sacrifice to soothe his wrath.
The Christian lady did what she could to impress her with better teachings, but with little effect. She left her sadly, never for one moment dreaming what the wretched mother meditated doing.
A day or two later the lady called again. As before, the mother sat beside the little basket cradle weeping—for this time there was but one baby in the cradle. It was the poor little blind girl. The other had been drowned in the Ganges.
The Christian lady was horror-struck when she knew the truth.
"Unhappy woman!" she exclaimed; "if you were driven to do this, why did you destroy the child you loved, and spare the one you hated?"
The woman sobbed and beat her breast piteously.
"O, it is that that breaks my heart," she said. "The god must have thebest. When I had a perfect one he would not take the other. Alas, my boy, my boy!"
Why should not many who live in this land of light be shamed—not by the deed, but by the devotion of this poor heathen? Under the gentle law of Christ, we know that God's demand for the best we have only bids us use it for him, and devote it to him.
If we serve him selfishly, may not even the poor dark-souled Hindoo mother rise up and condemn us?—Selected.
Little girl reading an enormous bookBEGINNING TO WORK.
BEGINNING TO WORK.
The P.S. Corner
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Only three little words, yet how much they mean! Isn't it a wonderful thought that it rests with each one of you to decide whether you will be happy this year or not? Now I see you open your eyes! "How, can we tell what is going to happen to us?"
Ah, I did not say that; but don't you know, if you are soldiers of the great King, he will take care of you; and whatever happens will give you the sweetest, highest happiness there is in this world?
We talk about things "happening," but it is well for us to remember that this King of ours manages all things, and is pledged to make "all things work together for good," to those who belong to him.
How many of you are blooming for him?
How many of you who have not yet settled the question, will come over to His side before this New Year's Day is done?
Oh, I hope you are all preparing for a Happy New Year.
Lovingly,Pansy.
Fredfrom Rhode Island. I am sorry your "other letter" was not answered, but glad that you did not wait for it. It is so pleasant to hear that the badges help our young people. So you foundThe Pansyblooming where you did not expect it? The truth is, we Pansies are a very large family, and are wonderfully scattered. I have marked your letter to be copied, for the other Blossoms to enjoy.
MaryandJohnfrom Tarsus. Dear, far-away Blossoms, we welcome you. How strange it is to think that in the very country where the great Paul lived so many years ago, two little Pansy buds are growing for Jesus. I hope you may be very fragrant flowers in that far-away land. Will you give my love to little Robert Livingstone?
Gertrudefrom New York. I am glad for you. "Whining" is a habit very easy to form, and very hard to break. It requires a good, strong resolution, such as you have made. As for "prompt obedience," I heard a gentleman once say, that no one was fit to command, who had not learned to obey.
Gracefrom Pennsylvania. You have asked a hard question, my dear. How can we interest people in things in which they have no interest? Let us see. In the first place, we must be very much interested ourselves, and must know just why we are interested, and just what we hope to do, by securing others to join us. Many of the P. S. have weekly meetings where they do some benevolent work, and have many an interesting book read to them while they work. Others have a literary society. What have you tried to do? Tell us the whole story, and we will try to help you.
Susiefrom Pennsylvania. The "Whisper Motto" is: "For Jesus' Sake." All the Pansies who choose it for their motto are expected to try to live by it. To do nothing which they think Jesus would not like, and to take him for their pattern. I am glad you likeThe Pansy.
Nettiefrom Ohio. Dear little Blossom, I was very much interested in your letter. I read it to a friend who said she would send youThe Pansyfor one year, for a Christmas present. So you may expect it to visit you as usual. I am glad you and your little sisters like it so well. For a little girl who has never been to school, I think you write an excellent letter.
Harrietfrom Deddington. So a little American Blossom has gone to bloom in England! That is good. May the fragrance of your life be enough to give joy to all around you. Did you ever notice how easy it is to find things to fret about, if one only tries?
Edithfrom New York. Now, my dear, I hope you will this time understand that you are the "Edith" meant. I would like to make it "sound like you" if I could. Since you live inChautauqua County, perhaps you have been to the beautiful Chautauqua, where so many young people go every summer.
Richardfrom Virginia. We welcome you, my boy. If you succeed in raising a P. S. company, an officer's badge will be sent you in place of the one you now have. The habit of using "by-words" seems to be growing among our young people, both girls and boys. I am glad for every one who joins the ranks to fight against it.
Myrafrom New York. My wee Blossom, I was glad to receive your letter. So you want to write "nice stories"? Well, who can tell but you may write beautiful stories, one of these days? I'll tell you what you might begin to do now.Livea story, a beautiful one, so that people who know you will say one to another, "How gentle, and unselfish, and truthful, and lovingMyrais!" How would that do? Yes, I know it is much harder tolivestories than it is to write them; but then, they are worth more.
BessieandGraciefrom Wisconsin. Two dear sisters who are going to "help each other." I know all about that habit of impatience, Bessie; ever so many people are troubled with it. As for "contradicting," I have spent part of the day with a boy who contradicted his mother five times in the course of half an hour. Think of it!
Miriamfrom New Jersey. You have chosen a fault which is very common, and very trying to one's friends. "Slow obedience is onlyhalfobedience," a dear old friend of mine used to say. I have often thought of it; and I believe it is quite true. Do not you? I think you must have had a pleasant time at your celebration.
Stellafrom Omaha. Your pledge reminds me of a day when I was looking through a gentleman's autograph album, and came to a name which I could not pronounce. This was it: Inaminute. "What is this name?" I asked, in wonder. The young man laughed. "Oh, that was one of our boys who was always keeping us waiting; he was sure to shout out: "In a minute!" no matter how much haste we were in. So we took to calling him that; and the name stuck, somehow, and fits to this day. Some one told me only yesterday, that he never succeeded in anything he undertook, because he was always behindhand."
Harryfrom Pennsylvania. "A better boy in every way that I can." That is a grand pledge, Harry. It has given me great comfort to write it out in full on our pledge book, and to think while I am writing it, what a grand man there will be in Pennsylvania, one of these days, if Harry lives, and keeps his pledge. I pray God to help you every day to keep it.
Mayfrom New York. A May flower that shall help somebody every day, will be sure to shed sweet perfume. I hope my little May will blossom some day in our Father's garden, where flowers never fade.
Bellafrom Canada. A Pansy Blossom in Canada! Yes, indeed, many of them. This one we welcome with special joy because you are such a wee bud; only six, and pledged to try to make sunshine for the people around you, every day. God bless our little Canadian Bella!
Corafrom New York. Poor little "finger nails!" I am glad they are not to suffer any more. A lady once told me that she was so in the habit of biting her nails, that when she stood before a great audience once, to speak on temperance, she found herself tugging at her glove to get to her fingers so she could bite them! Would not that have been an astonishing sight? Habit is a strange tyrant. Break away from this one, while you are young.
Henryfrom New York. Good for you, my boy! Half-learned lessons are very common, and very disgraceful. Please don't wear your badge at all, on any day when you fail in a lesson; I should hate to think of its being treated in that way.
Clydefrom Virginia. Welcome to our Pansy Society. What kind word have you said this month, I wonder, that has helped some one on his way. A kind word a day, would make a lovely chain of kindness each year. Then, if we could follow the words and see what they did for others, what a story they would make!
Maryfrom Indiana. So you have overcome that habit of saying "Wait a minute." How glad mamma must be! I rejoice with you. What are you going to take up next? I presume Satan keeps you busy fighting against hiswishes. He is very industrious, and when he fails in one direction, he tries in another.
Frankiefrom Michigan. I hope mamma was not only surprised but pleased with the badge, and your reason for receiving it. Does she see you growing patient? That is not an easy lesson to learn. In fact it takes a great deal of patience to be patient!
Idafrom Kansas. Your pledge was rather indefinite, my dear. I have not a very clear idea of what you mean to do. However, ifyouhave, and are trying for it, the main point has been gained. Perhaps you will write and make the matter plainer to me.
Georgefrom Minnesota. I know a boy who has taught himself to be so cross to his little sister that she actually cries sometimes, when she sees him coming. Yet he loves her, and would shed bitter tears if God where to take her away. Why do you suppose he wants to heap up sad memories for himself, by yielding to such a foolish habit? I am glad you have taken the pledge you send.
Nelliefrom —— If one only gets used to it, my dear, it is really quite an easy thing to do a thing at once, as it is to linger awhile. In fact it is easier; there is such a delightful feeling about having a thing done that we did not want to do. A young girl told me once that she remembered a certain summer day in which life was bright to her, all day, because she succeeded in making her bed before her mother said to her, "Come, dear, it is time your morning work was done."