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TRUE BENEVOLENCE.

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9. Some persons give a great deal of money; but it is not always those who are the most benevolent. Many refuse to give to poor families around them, even the crumbs from their well-spread table; yet, at the same time, they give large sums of money, when the world will hear and know how much they give.

10. A lady once gave ten dollars for some charitable purpose, where all the donors' names were to be published in the paper, with the amount they gave. Her name was omitted in the list, and she sent to have it inserted, in order that the world might know what she contributed. This was not real benevolence. She did not follow the precept, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

11. Boys and girls who stand around the stove, on a cold winter's morning, before the commencement of school, and make room for a poor, ragged little boy, to warm himself, who has holes in his shoes, and who has walked a long way in the cold snow, show true benev olence.

12. The parents of little James were poor, so that they could not provide him with nice warm clothes in the winter. They lived more than a mile from the school; but he was so anxious to improve his mind, that he was always present in season: sometimes he came in rainy and snowy weather, and as he had no woolen mittens to keep his hands warm, he often cried with the cold.

13. In a large and handsome dwelling, very near the

How can

9. Is the gift of money a test of benevolence? Why not? 10. Relate the anecdote of the lady. What precept did she forget? 11. this organ be exhibited in school? What was the motive? the history of James,

12. Give

school-house, lived the parents of Joseph. They were wealthy, and lived in much style, and he was their only son. He was a bright-eyed, intelligent, and goodhearted boy, and his fond parents kindly provided for all his wants. He had a warm bed on which to sleep at night, warm clothes to wear during the day, mittens for his fingers, and shoes for his feet; so that Jack Frost, although ever so maliciously disposed, could not possibly do him any injury. Joseph was about ten years old, and had a sweet sister two years older.

14. These children often conversed with each other about their comfortable home, and did not forget, as too many do who live in fine houses, to think of the poor creatures in God's creation, who have no warm shelter to cover them from the storm, and not sufficient fire and clothing to keep their bodies warm. They frequently gave pennies and food to the poor and ragged boys and girls whom they saw in the street, and when they came to their door.

15. One day Joseph did not appear to feel as happy as usual. His sister Amelia was his confiding spirit, and inquired what had occurred to disturb his mind. He said that he had been thinking in what way he could render assistance to one of his schoolmates, whom he loved very much, but whose parents were so poor that they could not make him comfortable.

16. He said it was poor James, who was constantly tormented by the other boys, till he had taken him under his protection. Amelia, whose sympathy had previously been strongly excited toward the boy, said

13. Give the history of Joseph. 14. What was the character of Joseph and his sister? 15, 16. What conversation took place between them? Did Amelia encourage him?

DISINTERESTEDNESS.

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she thought of a plan, but was fearful that her mother would not approve it.

17. "What is it?" asked Joseph. Amelia answered, "You know father gives to each of us spending money, and he tells us that we might appropriate it to anything we choose. I am willing to spare the greater part of mine, and, with what you can spare, we might make James very comfortable. Let us go, and ask our mother whether she is willing that we should do it.” They went to their mother's apartment, and spoke to her of James, with all that eloquence which flows from generous hearts.

18. Their mother was pleased to see her children so kind-hearted and disinterested in their feelings and impulses, and told them, "That they might make any sacrifice they chose, for the happiness of others." She consented that Joseph should share his warm bed with James, during school-days; and when the children said they wished to drink water instead of tea and coffee, she told them that she would add more to their weekly allowance of spending money.

19. The heart of James was very soon gladdened, but his good fortune did not cause him to neglect his books and to be indolent; he studied with increased zeal and ardor, and advanced so rapidly that he and Joseph were the best scholars in their class.

20. In the lapse of a few years, Joseph's father proposed to send his son to the university; James, for a 'ong time, had anticipated a separation from his school

17. What was Amelia's plan? Where did they go, and for what purpose? 18. What pleased their mother? Did she sanction their plans? 19. What effect did it have on James? 20. What change was finally proposed to Joseph ?

mate, whom he loved as a brother, and, therefore, was not disappointed when he heard that his friend was preparing to leave him; but he was equally surprised to receive a package, containing an adequate sum for one year's tuition in the same university where Joseph intended to go. The note was represented to have come from an unknown friend; and it stated that he would receive the same amount annually, as long as it was necessary to enable him to qualify himself for a professional life.

21. Perhaps my young friends would like to know who this unknown friend was. I will whisper the secret to you, although it was several years before James discovered it. When Joseph's father spoke to him about leaving school, he asked him what business James intended to pursue. Joseph told his father that James had not decided as yet on his course of life ; but added that he had a fine intellect-one which would well repay cultivation. "Father," said he, "I have for a long time wished to converse with you on this same subject, but have deferred it from day to day, for fear of incurring your displeasure."

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22. "What do you mean, my son?" Well, father, Amelia and myself have, for several years, saved as much as we could from the allowance of money you have so kindly given to us for spending, and we have a sufficient sum to defray the necessary expenses of James for two years in college with myself, and we are willing to be even more economical than we have been for the sake of James, if you have no objection to our plan."

20. What had James expected, and how was he surprised? 21. What might some like to know? What conversation took place between Joseph and his father? 22. What proposition did Joseph make?

BENEVOLENCE IN SABBATH SCHOOLS.

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23. The father had long witnessed, with pleasure, the affection which existed between this young man and his children, as he was virtuous talented, refined, and amiable, and had not intended to separate them, but to furnish the requisite sum for prosecuting his education; but, as he wished to encourage generous feelings in his children and to teach them the value of money, he expressed himself perfectly satisfied with his son's suggestion, and added that if they did not succeed he would give the balance.

24. Joseph remitted the money to James, in a note, leaving him to suppose that it came from an unknown. friend, for he did not wish to increase the feeling of obligation that James already felt toward him. Years passed and they became men; James married Joseph's sweet sister Amelia; and finally was elected governor of the state in which he lived. Joseph and Amelia had true benevolence.

25. In many Sabbath schools in the city of New York, and in other cities, the children support a minister and a Sabbath school in the western country by their contributions. By saving all their pennies, instead of spending them idly for candy, etc., they furnish clothing for many poor and ragged children, by which they are enabled to go to Sabbath school, where they may receive instruction that will be the means of restraining them from the indulgence of vicious habits. This, also, is true benevolence.

23. What had the father witnessed? Why did it give him pleasure? What had been his own intentions? Why did he not tell them to his son? What did he tell him? 24. What did James then do? Why did he wish to conceal his plans from James? What did they finally become? What had Joseph and Amelia? 25. In what way is true benevolence exhibited in some of the Sabbath schools in New York?

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