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190

DR FRANKLIN'S EXPERIENCE.

tance, but by the degree of warmth it produces in the body; thus, when I observe that if I am cold when I get into a carriage in the morning, I may ride all day without being warmed by it; that if on horseback my feet are cold, I may ride some hours before they become warm; but if I am ever so cold on foot, I cannot walk an hour briskly without glowing from head to foot by the quickened circulation: I have been ready to say (using round numbers without regard to exactness, but merely to make a great difference), that there is more exercise in one mile's riding on horseback, than in five in a carriage, and more in one mile's walking on foot, than in five on horseback; to which I may add, that there is more in one mile up and down stairs than in five on a level floor, and this last may be had when one is pinched for time, and as containing a greater quantity of exercise in a 'handful of minutes.'

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Some most unfortunate young ladies have imbibed the notion, that exercise will spoil that excessive delicacy and that softness which, as they think, is so lady-like, and so becoming to them. Let them know that we can well spare the lily

MIND CORRESPONDS WITH THE BODY. 191

when the rose comes to take its place. I know not how it is, but among men we expect to find few brains, few thoughts, and very little character, in a case that is not robust, strong, and vigorous. "Strong men are usually good humoured and active men, and often display the same elasticity of mind as of body. These superiorities, indeed, are often misused. But even for these things God shall call us to judgment.” 5. To enjoy good health you must cultivate cheerfulness.

A sour, gloomy mind fills the body with negative electricity, so that it repels whoever and whatever comes near it. I am aware that some are born under an evil star, and seldom see the sun when it shines. We cannot all be and feel equally cheerful. But we can cultivate cheerfulness. We can look on the sunny side of our dwelling, and not always on the shady side. We can believe that the present evils are transitory, and will soon go past. We may believe that those who surround us are not enemies, but friends; that those who are our teachers or companions are all friends; that our circumstances are not bad, but good; and that if we have

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CHEERFULNESS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH.

trials now, they are for a day only, and are for our good. We may believe that a kind Providence watches over us for good, and that all that pertains to our well-being, in this world and the next, is in the hands of Infinite Wisdom and Goodness.

CHAPTER XI.

THE BIBLE.

No Excuse for us. Bible worn on the Neck. Eusebius's Testimony. Bible committed to Memory. Primitive Custom. Cool Water from the Spring. "Let us begin again." The Embarrassed Merchant. The Bible Hawker. Fifty Centimes. Garden of the Lord. Thousand Verses a Year. the Trunk. Ice Broken.

Commit it accurately. Eight

Do not omit a Day. Bible in Not a Bad Idea. Sixteen Bible

Clerks. Chinaman's Experience. Bible in Yucatan. Concordance a Help. Let your Faith be strong. A Lamp to the Feet. Suited to every Thing.

My young friends may not realize how precious the word of God has been to all generations who have had the opportunity to read it. We probably feel that now, when every child has a Bible, perhaps beautifully printed and bound, we have no excuse for neglecting to read the Scriptures. Is she aware how much

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BIBLE WORN ON THE NECK.

more it depends on the state of the heart than upon the conveniences we enjoy ? Is she aware, that in the generations past, before the beautiful page of the Bible was printed, this book was read with a faithfulness never since excelled? I cannot forbear transcribing the testimony to their earnest love for this best of all books, and I think you will say it is none too long.

"At a time when the copies of the sacred volume were all in manuscript, and very scarce, being so dear as to be beyond the reach of many to purchase, and when multitudes of those who had been converted to

Christianity were unacquainted with the first elements of reading, the great majority of them were conversant with the phraseology and the matter of the word of life, to a degree that might well put modern Christians to shame. Those of the men who could read never went abroad without carrying a Bible in their pockets, while the women wore it hanging about their necks, and by frequently refreshing their memories by private perusal, and drawing little groups of anxious

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