394 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR SABBATH HOURS.

ing across a meadow, when he saw a great to come unto him to be saved." Will
number of rats migrating from one place all our readers accept the gracious aid
to another. As he stood and looked at he offers ?
them he was astonished to see an old We close this story about the blind
blind rat holding a stick at one end in with some pleasant verses we have found
his mouth, while another rat had hold of about the blind boy in the picture:
the other end, and in this manner led his The bird that never tried his wing,
blind companion Can blithely hop and sweetly sing,
 Is not here a lesson of kindness to the Though prisoned in a narrow cage,
 Till his bright feathers droop with age;
unfortunate that all should learn ? Per- So I, while never blessed with sight,
haps this old rat had a dutiful son who Shut out from heaven's surrounding light,
was thus showing the love he bore to his Life's hours, and days, and years enjoy,
blind old father. And does he not re- Though blind, a merry-hearted boy.
 Think not that blindness makes me sad,
prove such undutiful children as have My thoughts, like yours, are often gtLd.
hearts dead to the claims of filial affec- Parents I have, who love me well;
tion ? Their different voices I can tell,
 Though far and absent, I can hear,
 We have seen a picture represent- In dreams, their music meet my ear;
ing a poor blind boy in the most im- Is there a star so dear above,
minent danger. He had wandered from As the low voice of one you love?
his home, and was carelessly creeping I never saw my father's face,
 Yet on his forehead, when I place
along a narrow plank, over a dashing My hand, and feel the wrinkles there-
stream below, all unconscious of his Left less by time than anxious care-
great peril. One wrong motion would I fear the world has sights of woe,
 STo knit the brows of manhood so.
have plunged him into the raging wa- I sit upon my father's knee;
ters beneath and into certain destruc- He'd love me less if I could see.
tion. I never saw my mother smile;
 Her gentle tones my heart beguiles;
 The half distracted father discovered Her gen nesmyhea guides
 They fall like distant melody,
him and rushed to his rescue. What They are so mild and sweet to me.
agony and horror were depicted in that She murmurs not-my mother dear
father's face Our heart palpitated with Though sometimes I have kissed the tear
 s e From her soft cheek, to tell the joy
fear as we gazed upon the scene. One smiling word would give her boy.
 All who are living in this world with- Right merry was I every day;
out loving God, are represented in the Fearless to run about and play
 Sa b a t a i g With sisters, brothers, friends and all,
Bible as blind, and they are in greater To answer to their sudden call,
peril than the blind child on the narrow To join the ring, to speed the chase,
plank. The destruction that threatens To find each playmate's hiding place,
them is more fearful. And pass my hand across his brow,
 To tell him I could do it now !
 But the Saviour sees their danger and Yet though delightful flew the hours,
has come to their rescue. He invites all So passed in childhood's peaceful bowers,