‘THE YOUTH'S CABINET.

311

The First Thank-oflering.

—_

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN,

FOR THE CABINET.

—_—_—_—

rrtte Annette had been for a long
time sick, and near the point of
death. The unwearied care of the
mother alone kad at length suc-
ceeded in preserving the vacihating life
of the child. Annette convalesced, and
greeted the tight and the returning spring
with biissful smiling.

On a warm May-day, the loving mother
carried out the little one for the first time,
under the blooming trees. Numberless
flowers glistened upon the beds of the
garden, and unfolded their glittering stars
in the rays of the sun. In the midst of
the glowing creation the mother seated

herself, and, with silent tears of joy, press- |.

ed the exulting child to her bosom. But
the little one directed her eyes constantly
to the variegated flower-beds, and, with
a shout exclaimed, “O, how beautiful !

how exceeding glorious it is here all

around !”
“And knowest thou, too, my child,”
asked the mother, “ who has so inimitably

created this splendor, and has caused for

thee so great joy ?”

«“ Who else but thou” spake the child,
with a caress ;
love me like thee, thou kind and lovely
mother 2” ,

“No one upon earth !” exclaimed the
mother; “ but above the earth there lives
yet a higher love than, mine. To it thou
owest thy life and all thy joys. Learn,
O Annette, to adore it in its great crea-
tion !”

Thereupon the child raised her gaze
upward, as if inquiring. But the light
dazzled her weak eyes, and she sighed

V. 20

   
  

«for does any one on earth

and spake: “ Ah! mother, Iam not yet
able to comprekend what thou sayest.”

The mother pressed the little one more

closely to her heart, and replied, “ Grieve
not for that, my child. By-and-bye thou
wilt see more clearly. To the invisible
Being it is enough, that thou broughtest
him, unconsciously, the first thank-offering,
by recognizing supreme love as the creat-
ing cause of this rich nature, and by em-
bracing thy mother in mere childlike error,
while the idea of God filled thy grateful
soul.”

RAPHA.

 

Praying and Trying.

LiTTLw girl was once in the habit

of doing something which her

mother disapproved, whenever

she went to school. Her mother
told her she must’ try to keep from doing
it. She said she did try, but could not
help it. She then told her she must pray
to God to keep her from it. After a few
days, she told her mother that she had
prayed, but still she did it. One day she
came home quite animated, exclaiming,
« Mother, I did not do it to-day.” “How
were you able to conquer the habit, my
dear?” said her mother. “T found,” she
answered, “that if I tried ever so much,
I could not keep from it; and when I
prayed to God, he could not keep me
from it unless I tried myself. So, to-day
I prayed and tried both, and then I found
I could leave off doing it.” — Child's
Friend,

OB