44 | THE LAME BOY.

which inwardly shed its sanctifying rays over their
“spirits.

“Do you not love the Bible, young gentleman?”
said Nurse Burton, addressing Louis, as she ttosed the
book.

“T have never read it much,” answered Louis ; “but
you and Maurice seem to enjoy it so much, and it
appears to make you both so happy, that I wish I
could love to read it. You see I am lame, and I can-
not play like the other boys; so I read a great deal,
and am often at a loss for something to interest me,
and Mr. Harding says no one ever tires of reading the
Bible. I do not know why, but it has always seemed
a dull book to me. Do you not think it is hard for
me to be lame, nurse, and unable to run or jump with
the other boys? I have to sit moping alone, or crawl
around on crutches,” |

“Ah, speak reverently, my child,” said Nurse
Burton, “of your affliction; it is God’s hand upon
you. You see not its purpose yet, but be assured
there is a wise purpose in it. Let the language of
your soul be,

‘I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,
. But all is well, since ruled by thee.’
And,
‘My Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless teur.’

Have you learned, dear child, to love God as a fatber
and friend? If not, your lot is indeed a hard one, and