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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11148 ***
+
+AUNT HARDING'S KEEPSAKES:
+OR, THE TWO BIBLES
+
+REVISED BY DANIEL P. KIDDER.
+
+
+1851.
+
+
+
+[Illustration A: Frontispiece]
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+I. GUESSING
+
+II. THE PRESENTS
+
+III. USE OF THE KEEPSAKES
+
+IV. TWO CHARACTERS
+
+V. LETTERS FROM INDIA
+
+VI. TROUBLE BETWEEN SISTERS
+
+VII. AUNT HARDING'S LETTER
+
+VIII. USE OF MONEY
+
+IX. AUNT HARDING'S RETURN
+
+
+
+
+AUNT HARDING'S KEEPSAKES.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+GUESSING.
+
+"Can you guess," said Louisa to her sister, as they sat at their work
+in the summer-house, "can you guess what aunt Harding will give us, as
+a keepsake, before she goes away?"
+
+"No, I have not thought about it," said Emma; "and aunt has lately
+given us so many pretty things, that we can scarcely expect any more
+for a long time to come. There is my doll and its cradle, you know,
+and your baby-house and furniture, how much money they cost! No, I do
+not think aunt intends to give us anything else."
+
+"But I am quite sure she will," replied Louisa; "for I was going past
+mamma's dressing-room this morning, when the door was a little way
+open, and I heard aunt Harding say, 'I should like to give the dear
+girls something really useful, which they may value as they grow
+older.' I did not hear anymore, because mamma has always told us it is
+not right to listen, and so I came away as fast as I could."
+
+"Well, I wonder what the present will be?" said Emma, now quite
+convinced.
+
+"What should you think of two handsome work-boxes--or, perhaps, as I
+am the eldest, of a work-box for yourself, and writing-desk for me?"
+
+"That would be charming!" said Emma; "and I would let you use my
+work-box, and you could lend me your writing-desk sometimes."
+
+"I will not make any promises," said Louisa; "you know you are very
+careless, and I should not like my nice new desk to be stained with
+ink, or, perhaps, scratched with the point of a pin."
+
+"But mamma says I am growing more careful," said her sister; "and I do
+not think I am so heedless about other people's things, though I often
+spoil my own."
+
+"Remember my wax doll," said Louisa, "which you left in the garden
+through that heavy shower of rain, so that I could never play with it
+again."
+
+"O, that was such a very long time ago!" said Emma, looking a little
+vexed.
+
+"Perhaps it will not be a writing-desk nor a work-box that aunt
+Harding will give us," said Louisa; "there are many other things which
+we should like. I wish she would ask us to choose."
+
+"So do I," added Emma; "but there is nothing that I should like better
+than a work-box."
+
+Louisa thought of many other things which she should be glad to have;
+for she was apt to indulge in a foolish habit of wishing for what she
+was not likely to possess. It is a bad thing to give way to this
+failing; for by doing so we may often make ourselves unhappy, without
+any good or real cause. People who do so should think of the words of
+St. Paul: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
+content." Philip. iv, 11. And children, who have kind parents or
+friends to provide for all their wants, should learn that it is very
+sinful to let the thoughts be often dwelling upon things that they
+cannot have, and do not really need. Pray for a grateful heart, that
+you may rejoice in the blessings that surround you, and be thankful to
+your heavenly Father, who gives you all things richly to enjoy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE PRESENTS.
+
+Mrs. Harding, the aunt of these little girls, had been paying a
+farewell visit to their mamma, before going with Mr. Harding to India,
+where it was likely that they would remain for some years. She had
+kindly given many little presents to her nieces during her stay with
+them; but they were such as Louisa and Emma would cease to value when
+they became old enough to "put away childish things;" and being a
+person of piety and judgment, she wished her last gift to be one which
+might be worthy of their regard in youth and in age, and through all
+the changes of life. It did not take any long time to determine what
+this parting gift should be.
+
+The evening before she went away, she called Louisa and Emma into the
+room. They both looked round upon the table and chests of drawers, but
+no sign of a present was to be seen; no parcel neatly wrapped up in
+brown paper, nor anything like a work-box or a desk. But, to do them
+justice, the thought of what they might receive was not then uppermost
+in their mind; for their heart was full of grief at the prospect of
+parting with their aunt, whom they dearly loved, and who was going so
+very far away.
+
+"Sit down beside me, dear children," said their aunt Harding, "and let
+us have a little talk together, quietly by ourselves. I wish to give
+you a few parting words of advice. I am sure that you will not forget
+me when I am gone; and when you think of me, I hope that the good
+things which I have tried to teach you will also come into your mind."
+
+Both Louisa and Emma said, again and again, that they could never
+forget her, and they promised to remember her advice.
+
+"Your mamma will often write to me concerning you," said aunt Harding,
+"and I cannot express the joy that it will afford me to hear that you
+are learning to hate sin more and more, and to live like children of
+our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I shall be glad to find that you
+are improving in your studies, and I hope that every letter will bring
+me an account of your progress in useful knowledge; but I shall be far
+more anxious to hear of your being good and dutiful to your parents;
+and, above all, I shall long to know if you seek in earnest for the
+pardon of your sins, through the blood of Christ, and whether there is
+any proof in your conduct that your evil hearts have been changed by
+the grace of the Holy Spirit."
+
+"If mamma sends you a good account of us," said Louisa, "please to
+remember, aunt, that you promised to write to us when that was the
+case. And you will write to me first, because I am the eldest, you
+know."
+
+"Since you claim to be thought of first," replied her aunt, "because
+you are a year older then your sister, I hope you intend to take the
+lead by setting before her a good example, that it may be well for her
+to imitate you in every respect."
+
+Louisa blushed, and was silent. "We will try our very best, dear
+aunt," said Emma, "that mamma may send you good news, and then you
+will write to us both. And, perhaps, before you come back, we shall be
+grown such good girls, that you will not be able to find fault with
+either of us."
+
+"I am afraid that is not very likely," said Louisa; "for it seems as
+if we could not help being naughty sometimes. I am sure I have often
+said to myself, 'Mamma shall not have to reprove me once to-day,' and
+yet, directly after, something has been amiss."
+
+"O! that is quite true," said Emma, with a sigh.
+
+"The reason is this," their aunt replied; "you were born with an evil
+nature, which loves sin and leads you to do wrong, so that you cannot
+be good and dutiful of yourselves. When you have made such resolves,
+it has been in your own strength, without your having asked for help
+from God; and this being the case, it was not possible that you should
+keep from sin. The only way to lead a holy life is to put no trust in
+ourselves, to have a constant sense of our need of divine grace, and
+to pray earnestly that it may be given to us for Christ's sake."
+
+"But you talk of my return," added she, "as if it were certain that we
+should meet again; yet how many things may happen to prevent it!
+Nothing can be more uncertain than the future, though young people are
+apt to think that all will fall out just as they wish. I may not live
+to come back; or if I should be spared to do so, who can tell that you
+will be here to meet me? Long before that time you may be laid low in
+the narrow grave. 'For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that
+appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.' James iv, 14."
+
+Before their aunt Harding had done speaking, both the children were in
+tears; for the thought that they might never see her again was more
+than they could bear. Seeing that their hearts were softened to
+receive the word of instruction, she went on to talk to them in a kind
+and earnest manner on the great importance of preparing for another
+world, showing them their awful state without the Saviour, and urging
+them to seek him at once by faith and prayer; then, further to impress
+her advice upon their minds, she unlocked a little cabinet which stood
+near her, and taking out two handsome Bibles,[A] gave one to each of
+her nieces, telling them that as it was the best present she could
+give them, so she hoped they would value it, not only for her sake,
+but because it was the word of God, and taught the way of eternal
+life. After this, she desired them to kneel down with her, while she
+offered a fervent prayer that God would bless them, and that they
+might be led by the Holy Spirit into the fold of Christ, who died to
+take away their sins. And she also prayed, that if they should never
+more see each other in this world, they and all whom they loved might
+meet again and be happy for ever in heaven.
+
+[Footnote A: See frontispiece.]
+
+Now I will not say that when the sisters were alone together, and
+looked at their handsome Bibles, a thought of the work-box and the
+writing-desk never crossed their minds; but it is certain that there
+was not a word said upon the subject, and each seemed to be greatly
+pleased with her present, admiring the rich purple binding, and
+opening the book with care, to look at the name which had been nicely
+written by their aunt on one of the blank leaves at the beginning. In
+Louisa's Bible, just under her name, was the text, "Open thou mine
+eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law," Psa. cxix,
+18; and in Emma's, in the same place, was written, "I love them that
+love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Prov. viii, 17.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+USE OF THE KEEPSAKES.
+
+The next day was a sorrowful one, both to the friends who went away,
+and to those who were left behind. The children could talk of little
+else than their uncle and aunt Harding. They asked their mother many
+questions about the journey they had begun, and the country to which
+they were going. When Louisa and Emma saw that their mamma was very
+sad, and not so ready as usual to join in their talk, they did not
+tease her, as some thoughtless children would have done, but each
+chose for herself a pleasant and quiet employment. Louisa began to
+arrange the furniture in her baby-house, and Emma brought a piece of
+brown silk from her drawer of treasures, and set about making a cover
+for her new Bible.
+
+"Why, Emma, what are you about?" cried Louisa, after watching her
+sister for a moment; "surely you are not going to use that beautiful
+book?"
+
+"Yes, I am," said Emma, quietly; "I mean to read a little in it every
+day. Ah! I see that you think it will soon be torn and soiled; but I
+assure you I intend to be very careful; and look, what a nice cover
+this will make!"
+
+"I am afraid," said Louisa, laughing, "you will never be careful as
+long as you live. To think of so soon beginning to use that handsome
+book! I have made up my mind to read a chapter every day, but not out
+of my new Bible. I think the old one, that lies in the school-room,
+will do just as well."
+
+"So it would," returned Emma; "and I thought of that myself last
+night, when aunt Harding told us how much she wished us to be good,
+and to love the Scriptures: but then the school-room Bible is not
+always in its place, and that might sometimes hinder me from reading
+at all. Now I shall keep this book in my little drawer in our room,
+where I can find it in a minute."
+
+"You must please yourself, I suppose," said Louisa; "but I will ask
+mamma whether it is better to use aunt Harding's Bible or the old
+one."
+
+Mrs. Western heard what her little girl had to say, but did not give
+just the answer that Louisa expected. "You are right," she said, "in
+supposing that it does not signify whether you read in an old Bible or
+a new one. It is from the divine blessing upon what we read, and not
+from the book itself, that we must look for benefit to our souls. If
+you pray for this blessing with all your heart, you will find the way
+of salvation as plainly declared in the worn-out school-room Bible as
+in your aunt Harding's keepsake, with its purple binding and shining
+gilt leaves. But yet I approve of Emma's wish to use her new Bible
+from this time, and advise you to follow her example. For though it
+ought to be our great delight to read the Scriptures, yet we have such
+sinful hearts, so ready to put off doing what is right for any poor
+excuse, that even such a little thing as having to look for the Bible,
+when it happens to be mislaid, will be likely to prevent you from
+reading it so constantly as you intend."
+
+To this Louisa made no reply. She had wrapped up her beautiful book in
+silver paper, and laid it carefully in a box, under lock and key, and
+she did not mean to disturb it, except perhaps now and then for a few
+moments, that it might be looked at and admired. As for Emma, she went
+on fitting the brown silk cover as neatly as she could; and hoping
+that, if she prayed for the divine blessing, as her mother and aunt
+had told her, she might learn from her precious Bible the way to be
+good and happy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+TWO CHARACTERS.
+
+It is time that I should tell you the age of these two little girls.
+Louisa was just turned of ten, and Emma was one year younger. I have
+no doubt that although you know so little about them, you already like
+Emma better than her sister; and the reason of this is plain. No one
+could be long with Louisa without finding out that she was a selfish
+child; while Emma, though she had many faults, of which carelessness
+was the chief, was of a kind, good-natured disposition, always ready
+to oblige. Louisa, too, was often willful, and would not give up her
+own way; while Emma was humble-minded, knowing that she had much to
+learn, and thankful to be taught. Both of these children were sinners,
+like all who are born into this sinful world: but Louisa cared little
+about the concerns of her soul; while Emma had begun to pray in secret
+for pardon through Christ her Saviour, and for the new heart which is
+the gift of his Holy Spirit.
+
+Reader, you too are a sinner, and by nature far from God. Do you ever
+consider what is your present state? Have you been brought near to him
+by the blood of Christ, the new and living way? You may have heard of
+these things before, but without giving heed to the salvation of your
+own soul, or seeking to prepare for the world to come. If this has
+been the case, pause now, and ask yourself whither you are going, and
+what must be the end, if you do not repent and turn from sin. There
+are many awful texts in the Bible concerning those who trifle with the
+offers of divine mercy, and harden their hearts against the Saviour's
+gracious call. O! pray that you may not be one of this unhappy number.
+Seek the Lord while he may be found, before the day of grace is past.
+God has said that his "Spirit shall not always strive with man," Gen.
+vi, 3; and if you will not repent to-day, to-morrow may be too late.
+
+Emma's Bible was nicely covered, and laid in her own little drawer;
+and every morning she read a chapter before she went down stairs. She
+prayed that God would teach her by his Holy Spirit to understand what
+she read; and though her prayers were very simple, and she scarcely
+knew what words to use, yet she felt sure that he would hear her,
+because he has promised to do so, for the sake of his dear Son. And by
+degrees, as she began to love her Bible more and more, she learned a
+habit of going to their little room alone, once in each day, to read a
+few verses in private, and to offer a short prayer to her "Father who
+seeth in secret." Matt, vi, 6. She found a great blessing in this; and
+it often happened that the thought of a text of Scripture which she
+had been reading in her room alone would come into her mind when she
+was afterward tempted to say or do something wrong, and thus help to
+keep her from sin.
+
+It was not so with Louisa. The Bible was often wanted in the
+schoolroom--for the children had a governess who came to teach them
+every day; and Louisa soon found it too much trouble to take the book
+up stairs at night, and to carry it down again the next morning.
+Besides this, she did not always rise from her bed in time to read a
+chapter, so that it was often put off till after breakfast, and then
+it commonly happened that she had other things to do, and did not read
+it at all. Emma would sometimes gently remind her that her Bible
+reading had been forgotten; but this made Louisa so cross that she
+left off doing so at last. The truth was, that this poor child had no
+real love for the Scriptures; and as she did not seek for grace to
+help her, the good resolves that she had made passed away quickly from
+her mind.
+
+The difference between the sisters was seen in their outward conduct;
+for Emma's reading of the Bible would have been in vain if the effects
+had not been shown in her temper and daily life. I do not mean to say
+that she never went wrong; for Emma had still an evil nature, and a
+sinful heart, often leading her to forget the commands of God. But she
+was truly sorry when this had been the case, and would ask to be
+forgiven with many tears; and she also prayed for divine grace, that
+she might try to be more watchful for the time to come. Louisa, on the
+other hand, thought too highly of herself to be easily convinced of a
+fault; and as she seldom received reproof in an humble and proper
+manner, she made but little progress toward improvement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+LETTERS FROM INDIA.
+
+Some months passed before there came a letter from Mrs. Harding; for
+India, as you know, is many thousands of miles from here, and it takes
+a long time for a ship to sail over the wide sea which lies between.
+But great was the joy of the children and their mother when at last
+the good tidings came that, through the mercy of God, their friends
+had reached that distant country, safe and well. Louisa danced and
+clapped her hands; and Emma felt very happy, sitting beside her
+mother, and looking up in her face, while she read the letter through
+tears of pleasure.
+
+Mrs. Harding had written a few lines to the children, which their
+mother read aloud to them, and then allowed them to look at for
+themselves. The words were these: "I often think of you, dear Louisa
+and Emma, and pray for divine blessings upon you both; and I hope to
+hear that you are giving yourselves to the Saviour, who died upon the
+cross for you. You know the love of Jesus for the young; his kindness
+to them when he was upon earth; and the tender way in which he still
+invites them to come to him. Go, then, to Christ without delay: ask
+him to be your friend, and you will be happy for evermore."
+
+A few weeks after this letter had been received, Mrs. Western's
+birthday arrived, when it was usual for her children to have a holiday
+and a little treat. On the morning of this day, as Emma was running up
+stairs, her mamma called to her from her dressing-room, and desired
+her to come in, and to shut the door. Emma did as she was bid; and
+then Mrs. Western, with a smile on her face, told her to look round,
+and try if she could discover anything in the room that she had not
+seen before.
+
+Almost before her mother had done speaking, the little girl fixed her
+eyes upon a handsome work-box, standing upon the table with the lid
+open, and showing a lining of pale blue silk, edged with silver; while
+within were scissors and thimble, an abundance of needles and cotton,
+everything, in short, that Emma had long been wishing for in vain.
+
+"It is yours, my dear," said her mamma; "it is a present from your
+aunt Harding, who, in her letter, requested me to choose for you on my
+birthday something that you would like, if your conduct should have
+been such as to deserve a token of our approval. I am happy to see
+that you strive to amend your faults, and I trust that you will still
+go on trying to improve."
+
+"O, mamma, how beautiful! and how kind in aunt Harding! Indeed I will
+try to deserve it." And the little girl went close to the box, and
+looked at its contents, but without venturing to touch them; then
+gently closing the lid, she stood gazing upon it with silent delight.
+
+"But, mamma," said Emma, looking up with a sudden thought, and casting
+her eyes round the room as if in search of something which was not to
+be seen, "where is Louisa's present? She would like a writing-desk, I
+know; for the old work-box which she has had so long is not yet worn
+out, because she is so very careful."
+
+"I am sorry to say," returned Mrs. Western, "that Louisa is not
+deserving of any present, and therefore it would have been wrong to
+provide one for her."
+
+At hearing this, Emma changed color, and looked almost ready to cry.
+"Dear mamma," said she, "do pray have pity on poor Louisa. I cannot
+bear to show her my beautiful box, if she is not to have a present
+too. She would be so much grieved."
+
+"My dear," said Mrs. Western, "do you not perceive that it would be
+unjust and contrary to your aunt's wish, if, while Louisa gives way to
+her faults, I were to treat her as though she were seeking to overcome
+them? It is quite as painful to me as to yourself to make this needful
+difference between you; but in all our actions we must think of what
+is _right_, and not of what it would be _pleasant_ to do. When I see
+any sign of improvement in your sister, I shall gladly provide her
+with a writing-desk; but not till then."
+
+Emma paused for a moment; her eyes filled with tears, and the color
+rose to her face. "Then mamma," said she, "I will wait, if you please,
+for my work-box, until you think proper to give Louisa her desk.
+Please to put it away in some safe place, and I will not say anything
+about it. I can do very well without the box a little while longer,
+you know."
+
+When Mrs. Western found that Emma was willing to deny herself a
+pleasure rather than give pain to her sister, she consented to her
+wish, because she desired to encourage kind and tender feelings
+between them; and she knew it would be easy to find some other way of
+showing Louisa that her friends were grieved and displeased by her
+conduct. So the work-box was safely put away for the present; though
+Emma had her hopes that the time would soon come when, with the
+promised writing-desk, it might be again brought forward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+TROUBLE BETWEEN SISTERS.
+
+I have told you that Emma was not without her faults; and whether she
+was a little lifted up by her mother's approval, so that she became
+less watchful over herself, and felt less her need of the grace of
+God, I cannot say: but so it was, that on the very same evening of
+their mother's birthday, the sisters had a quarrel, which would
+certainly have been worse, if Mrs. Western had not been sitting by.
+Louisa was the first to blame; but, on the other hand, Emma did not
+behave like a meek and Christian child.
+
+It was about Louisa's old work-box that this quarrel took place. Emma
+wished to have the use of it for a short time, as Louisa did not want
+it herself: but Louisa, as you have seen, was not very willing to
+lend; and some sharp and unkind words passed between them, such as
+children too often use when they give way to angry and sinful
+passions. No doubt the thought of her own work-box was in Emma's mind
+when she said, "You are selfish and ill-natured, Louisa, and do not
+deserve that people should give up any pleasure for you."
+
+While she was speaking, she saw her mother's eyes turned toward her
+with a look of surprise and sorrow; and at the same moment the words
+of Scripture, "Be kindly affectioned one toward another," came into
+her mind. She blushed and looked down while Mrs. Western reproved them
+both, and told them of the grief which, she felt on account of their
+sinful conduct, reminding them also of the example of the meek and
+lowly Jesus, who has commanded us to live in love. Emma was soon
+brought to tears, and went out of the room to weep alone, and ask
+forgiveness, for her Saviour's sake, from the holy God whom she had
+displeased by her sin: but Louisa, as usual, was inclined to be
+sullen, and did not think that she had been at all in the wrong. Upon
+this, her mother pointed out to her the unkindness of refusing so
+small a favor to her sister; and in the hope of bringing her to a
+sense of her fault, she told her what had passed in the morning, and
+made known to her the whole affair of the work-box. Louisa was so much
+struck by this proof of Emma's love, that her heart was quite
+softened, and she not only owned that she had done amiss, but ran to
+seek her sister, and asked her to forget their quarrel and be friends.
+
+Emma was very glad to agree to this, and was also ready to take her
+share of blame, saying that she had been very wrong in speaking so
+unkindly, and she hoped never to be so naughty again. It was pleasant
+after this, to see Louisa's desire that her sister should use the old
+work-box, and what care Emma showed in keeping all its contents nicely
+in their place.
+
+The loss of the birthday present had a great effect upon Louisa, so
+that she became more watchful over her temper and conduct. In a few
+months she had improved so much, that though she was still far from
+being all that could be wished, yet her mother thought she might
+safely buy her the writing-desk, according to the desire of her aunt
+Harding. Emma had still waited for her work-box with hope and
+patience; and you may imagine the joy of both when they at last
+received these long wished-for gifts. And as Emma was now not so
+careless as formerly, and Louisa had grown more kind, the work-box and
+the writing-desk were often lent in exchange; while the sisters soon
+found out the truth of what their mother told them, that such little
+frequent acts of mutual kindness do more to increase love than those
+greater deeds which children sometimes talk about, but seldom have the
+power to perform.
+
+The second packet from aunt Harding was received with not less joy
+than the first; for there was in it a letter for Louisa and Emma; and
+that she might show no favor to one above the other, she had directed
+it to both. Louisa, however, claimed and was allowed the privilege of
+breaking the seal. I wish you could have seen their happy faces, as
+Emma leaned upon her sister's shoulder to read the welcome letter
+which had been sent to them from a country so distant, and by a friend
+whom they loved so well.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+AUNT HARDING'S LETTER.
+
+Would you like to know what aunt Harding Wrote to her nieces? Here
+then is the letter, word for word:--
+
+
+"MY DEAR CHILDREN, LOUISA AND EMMA,--It is with great pleasure that I
+read in your mamma's letter the account of your improvement, and I am
+glad to fulfill the promise which I made of writing to you when that
+should be the case. I hope that you will go on trying to grow better
+and better; and for this end you should pray daily for the grace of
+God to help you every moment of your lives. Without his grace the evil
+desires of your sinful hearts will lead you from the right way; and as
+one sin always brings on others, you would, if left to yourselves,
+wander further and further from that which is good, until you lost all
+love for your Saviour and his commands.
+
+"I often think of you, and wish that you could see the poor little
+Hindoo children, who have never heard of the true God, but are taught
+by their heathen parents to kneel down, and pray to idols of wood and
+stone. There is a river in this country, the river Ganges, which the
+people believe to be a goddess, and they think that its waters can
+wash away their sins. Mothers often bring their little infants and
+bathe them in this river, because they believe it will make them holy.
+Do you not pity these poor people, whose souls are perishing for want
+of knowledge? Do you not wish that some one would go among them, and
+tell them about Jesus the Son of God, who gave himself to die for
+sinners, and whose blood alone can wash away sin? If so, you will be
+glad to know that there are some good men here who have left their own
+dear home and friends to live in this heathen country, and to teach
+the poor Hindoos the true and only way to heaven. Christians in other
+places, who love the Saviour, and wish that the heathen should learn
+to love him too, give money to send these good men here, and to pay
+for Bibles, and for other books which have been written on purpose to
+show how sinners may be saved. All may help to do this who will spare
+a little money from their own wishes and wants. _You_ may help, if you
+love the Saviour enough to deny yourselves some little pleasure now
+and then. I think you would resolve to do so, if you could go with me
+sometimes to the missionary school, and see the little children
+sitting in rows, learning to read about Jesus, and hear them asking
+for more books to take home, that they may tell the tidings of
+salvation to their heathen parents. O yes! I am sure you would want to
+help them then; for you would remember that heathen children, like
+yourselves, have souls which must live for ever and ever; and you
+would long that they should come to the knowledge of the Saviour, who
+died for them as well as for you.
+
+"It is now time that I should finish this long letter; so farewell,
+dear Louisa and Emma. Your uncle sends his love to you. We often talk
+of you, and pray that you may be the children of God, through faith in
+his dear Son. Your ever affectionate,
+
+"AUNT HARDING."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+USE OF MONEY.
+
+Emma found a great deal to think about in this letter, and it led to
+frequent talk with her mother about the heathen, for whom she began to
+feel much concern. When she heard how Christian people were trying to
+help them, and had read some accounts which her mother lent to her,
+telling of the happy change that, through the blessing of God, had
+been brought about in many cases by the preaching of the gospel, she
+wished that Louisa and herself could join in doing something, though
+ever so little, for this good cause. The love of Christ was in her
+heart: when this is the case, it will be sure to show itself in love
+for the souls of others.
+
+But Louisa, when spoken to on the subject, said that she had not
+anything to give. "I am very sorry, though, that the poor Hindoos
+should worship idols," she said; "and when I grow older, and have more
+money, I will do a great deal for them, depend upon it."
+
+"But why not help them a little _now_?" said Emma.
+
+"Because I have no money," replied Louisa; "no money I mean except
+what is in my little savings bank, and I should not like to part with
+that. As for you, Emma, you never can save up a shilling; so that I am
+sure you have not anything to spare."
+
+"Ah," said Emma, "that is true, to be sure; I never can save my money,
+and so I will tell you what I mean to do. Mamma gives us threepence a
+week, to spend as we please, you know; but I will only take twopence
+for the time to come, and I shall ask her to give the other pennies to
+the Tract Society at the end of the year. Four shillings and fourpence
+is not much, indeed, yet it will buy some nice little books for the
+Hindoo children in the schools; and if you will also give a penny a
+week, that will buy just as many more."
+
+It was of no use. Louisa would not be persuaded to do anything for the
+heathen _yet_. Emma gave her penny a week, and felt happy in giving
+it; while Louisa only talked of doing so by and by. If Louisa had
+loved her Saviour and her Bible, she would have felt it a delight to
+assist in sending the glad tidings of the gospel to heathen lands; but
+when the heart has not been changed by the Holy Spirit, we feel but
+little concern for our own souls, and do not care for the salvation of
+others.
+
+Emma was not led away by the example of her sister; but as she grew
+older she seemed to grow in grace, and in the knowledge and love of
+Christ. This will always be the case with those who believe the
+promises of God, and seek for divine assistance to enable them to obey
+his word. We can do nothing of ourselves, for we are poor, guilty,
+helpless sinners: but God, who has given his only Son to die for our
+sins, has also promised to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask it.
+Therefore, though we feel ourselves ever so weak and sinful, we need
+not despair of growing better, if we also feel our need of Christ, and
+go to him for help and pardon.
+
+Louisa and Emma had often heard that life is short and uncertain; but
+it is not easy for young people to feel the truth of this while they
+are healthy and strong. When Emma was about twelve years old she was
+taken very ill, so that there was from the first but little hope that
+she would recover. Then she felt that it is an awful thing to die; and
+the thought of the soul, which cannot die, and of heaven and hell,
+were far more solemn than they had ever seemed to her before. At first
+she was greatly afraid of death, for she knew she was a sinner, and
+deserving of the anger of God; but by degrees, as she lay on her sick
+bed, there came into her mind many sweet verses of the Bible, which
+she had learned in her days of health, and which gave her comfort, by
+telling her of the love of Jesus the Lamb of God, who taketh away the
+sins of the world. Do you think she was sorry, now, that she had spent
+so many hours in reading that holy and blessed book? No; for the
+promises of mercy and salvation which it held out to her was her only
+support through many hours of pain and suffering, when death seemed
+near, and eternity close at hand. Though too ill to read, or even to
+listen to the words of life, she could remember many of them in her
+heart, and think of them to her comfort in this season of trial.
+Sometimes she was able to talk to her mother for a few minutes, when
+it was plain that her mind was chiefly filled with thoughts of Christ
+and things divine. And she often said that, if it should be the will
+of God to restore her to health, she hoped for grace to devote herself
+to his service, and to live more to his glory than she had ever done
+before. She also spoke oftener to her sister, begging her to think of
+her soul, to read her Bible more, and to seek for the pardon of her
+sins; and Louisa, who was in great distress at the thought of losing
+her, was ready to promise anything that she asked. But it did not
+appear that she was under any concern for her own state; and this was
+a great trouble to poor Emma, who now felt more than ever the need of
+preparing for the world to come.
+
+It pleased God to spare her life, though she grew better very slowly,
+and it was many weeks before she could leave her room. When her long
+and painful illness was over, she was again able to share with Louisa
+in her lessons and her pleasures, so that in time those weeks of grief
+and suffering seemed to be forgotten; but they were not forgotten by
+Emma: she did not forget the mercies she had received, and the resolve
+which she had made of leading a holy life: she daily prayed for an
+humble and watchful mind, and for grace to keep her from falling into
+sin; and, as you may suppose, she loved her Bible more and more for
+the comfort which it had given her in the time of trouble. She still
+took pleasure in reading it alone, and prayed that she might have
+grace to obey its commands, so that it might be a lamp unto her feet
+and a light unto her path. Psa. cxix, 105.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+AUNT HARDING'S RETURN.
+
+And now two more years had passed away, and the time when their aunt
+Harding's return was looked for had come. They had talked of it all
+through the winter; and when spring was over, and summer begun, the
+happy tidings came that the ship had arrived in safety, and their
+uncle and aunt Harding were on their way to visit them once more. I
+will leave you to guess the joy that was felt by all; and you must
+picture to yourself the pleasure of their meeting soon afterward: how
+thankful all were that they were spared to behold each other again;
+with uncle Harding's surprise at seeing two great girls instead of
+little Louisa and Emma; and aunt Harding's smiles, and her hopes that
+there would be found an equal improvement in matters of more
+importance.
+
+The morning after she came, when Mrs. Harding began to unpack her
+boxes, Louisa and Emma caught sight of many pretty and curious things
+which she told them were intended as presents for themselves. "But
+before we proceed any further," said she, as the girls were beginning
+to express their thanks and pleasure, "I wish to inquire about the
+parting keepsake which I gave to you; and I should be glad to see how
+each book has been treated, that I may know the real value which you
+set upon the gift."
+
+Louisa and Emma both ran to fulfill their aunt's desire. To speak the
+truth, Louisa was now in hopes of having all the praise. She quickly
+brought in her handsome Bible, still wrapped in the soft white paper,
+and in all the gloss of newness: not a mark upon the rich purple
+binding, not a speck upon the bright gilt leaves. Emma, too, brought
+hers, but with a more timid look; the neat brown silk cover was faded
+and worn--she had thought of making a new one only the day before--and
+the brightness was gone from the leaves, and the binding seemed rather
+loose, for the book opened easily, and there were some pages, less
+white than others, which looked as if they had been often read. To
+Louisa's surprise, Mrs. Harding laid down her book without saying a
+word, while, as soon as she took Emma's Bible into her hand, she
+smiled with pleasure, although tears came into her eyes. "_This_ book
+has been valued as it ought to be," said she; "it has been used with
+care, but often used, so that I trust it has been found a guide and a
+help to heaven. But yours, Louisa"--and she pointed to the beautiful
+Bible which lay upon the table--"yours has been laid aside, like the
+talent which was buried in the earth. It has been of no benefit to
+your soul, for you seem hardly ever to have looked to it for
+instruction; as if its real worth consisted in outside ornament, you
+have been careful to keep that from injury, but have never sought or
+cared for the treasure that is within. But dry your tears, my dear
+Louisa," added aunt Harding kindly. "I am not angry, for I know that
+your mistaken care was in some measure caused by your love for me.
+I am only sorry that my parting present has not been of the use which
+I intended. But it is not yet too late for you to learn that, while
+your Bible should be kept with proper care--for it is the word of
+God--yet it was given for our daily study, that we might read it, pray
+over it, and practice it; and thus, by the divine blessing, become
+'wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'" 2 Tim.
+iii, 15.
+
+"I trust," said the kind aunt, looking at her two nieces with much
+affection; "I trust that my dear Emma knows and loves her Saviour, and
+takes delight in the Scriptures, because they testify of him. May you
+both have grace to love him above all things, to do his will, and to
+put your trust in him for evermore; and then the heartfelt desire of
+your aunt Harding will be fulfilled."
+
+Reader, beware how you neglect the word of God. But remember it is not
+by merely reading it that you are to look for a blessing to your soul.
+You must pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who alone can open
+your understanding, and incline your heart to heavenly wisdom, that
+you may not read in vain.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+PRAYER FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE.
+
+O that the Lord would guide my ways
+  To keep his statutes still!
+O that my God would grant me grace
+  To know and do his will!
+
+O send thy Spirit down to write
+  Thy law upon my heart!
+Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
+  Nor act the liar's part.
+
+From vanity turn off mine eyes;
+  Let no corrupt design,
+Nor covetous desires, arise
+  Within this soul of mine.
+
+Order my footsteps by thy word,
+  And make my heart sincere:
+Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
+  But keep my conscience clear.
+
+My soul hath gone too far astray,
+  My feet too often slip;
+Yet, since I've not forgot thy way,
+  Restore thy wand'ring sheep.
+
+Make me to walk in thy commands,
+  'Tis a delightful road;
+Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
+  Offend against my God.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+VALUE OF THE SCRIPTURES TO THE YOUNG
+
+How shall the young secure their hearts,
+  And guard their lives from sin?
+Thy word the choicest rules imparts
+  To keep the conscience clean.
+
+When once it enters to the mind,
+  It spreads such light abroad,
+The meanest souls instruction find,
+  And raise their thoughts to God.
+
+'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light
+  That guides us all the day;
+And through the dangers of the night,
+  A lamp to lead our way.
+
+Thy precepts make me truly wise;
+  I hate the sinner's road:
+I hate my own vain thoughts that rise,
+  But love thy law, my God.
+
+Thy word is everlasting truth;
+  How pure is every page!
+That holy book shall guide our youth,
+  And well support our age.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOOKS PUBLISHED FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION
+OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+KINDNESS TO ANIMALS;
+SHOWING THE SIN OF CRUELTY.
+BY CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH.
+Price eighteen cents.
+
+THE M'GREGOR FAMILY.
+Price eighteen cents.
+
+THE COTTAGE ON THE MOOR;
+OR, THE EVILS OF PRIDE.
+Price eighteen cents.
+
+OLD ANTHONY'S HINTS TO YOUNG PEOPLE,
+TO MAKE THEM CHEERFUL AND WISE.
+Price twenty cents.
+
+THE JEW AMONG ALL NATIONS,
+SHOWING THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THAT
+WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
+Price twenty-one cents.
+
+THE EGYPTIAN,
+BY THE AUTHOR OF THE JEW.
+Price twenty-one cents.
+
+THE STRANGE PLANET,
+AND OTHER ALLEGORIES,
+DESIGNED TO ILLUSTRATE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Harding's Keepsakes, by Anonymous
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11148 ***