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diff --git a/13344-h/13344-h.htm b/13344-h/13344-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..812d69e --- /dev/null +++ b/13344-h/13344-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,457 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<meta content="pg2html (binary v0.16)" + name="generator"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + The Moral Picture Book, + by Anonymous. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; } + p { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; } + center { padding: 0.8em;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13344 ***</div> + +<div style="height: 8em;"><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></div> +<h1> + THE MORAL PICTURE BOOK +</h1> +<center> +<img src="images/02.jpg" width="609" height="742" +alt="The Moral Picture Book: Prayer"> +</center> +<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + JOHN COOPER. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + John Cooper was a little boy, whose father and mother lived in a cottage + on one side of a village green. He was his parents' only child, so that + he had no brothers nor sisters to play with. But he had a dog of which + he was very fond, and he used sometimes to play with other children on + the green. Tom Jones was one of the boys that played with John Cooper. + One day he asked John Cooper to go for a long walk with him, instead of + going to school. John at first would not consent, but at last he gave + way and went with Tom, taking Carlo with him. +</p> +<p> + There was a pretty stream of water that ran along one side of the green, + and then passed through a wood in a winding course. In some places it + was rather broad and deep, and in other places it was shallow, and ran + murmuring over the stones at the bottom. Tom said that it would be very + pleasant to go along the stream, sometimes on one side, and sometimes on + the other, far into the wood, and to look for birds' nests. The sun was + shining very brightly, the trees were in full leaf, the grass was thick + and green, sweet flowers were blooming on all sides, butter-flies and + dragon-flies sported in the sunshine, and birds were singing on every + bush and tree. All things seemed to be joyful, and the two boys started + off briskly, with Carlo after them. +</p> +<p> + But of this party, the only one that was truly happy, was Carlo. He had + nothing to do but to obey his master, and this he had done when John had + called him away from his home. John tried to raise his own spirits, and + ran, and jumped about, and romped with Carlo. But he could not forget + that he had done wrong, that he ought to have been at school, and that + he should grieve his kind parents when they knew what he was now doing. + The thought of this would come into his mind, and kept him from being + happy. As for Tom Jones, he seemed merry enough, though he not only knew + that he was doing wrong himself, but that he had led John into mischief. + He tried to forget this, and laughed and shouted with all his might; but + it was in vain, and he had bitter feelings at the bottom of his heart + all the time. +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/06.jpg" width="579" height="738" +alt="Affection"> +</center> +<p> + They went on rambling till they had got more than a mile into the wood. + The stream here was wide and deep. On one side of it there grew an old + willow, and in one of the branches of this, they saw a wren's nest. As + Tom was the stronger boy of the two, it was agreed that he should help + John up to the branch, so that he might reach the nest. John got upon + the branch, and he had put out his hand to take hold of the nest, when + the branch broke off, and down he fell into the water. Tom laughed at + this, for he knew that the stream was not deep enough to drown him: but + Carlo rushed in and dragged his master by the clothes towards the bank. + John scrambled out, but he was covered with mud. Tom helped him to take + off his clothes, and clean off the mud and dry them; but with all they + could do, John was still in a sad mess, and as it was now late in the + day, he turned to go home with a heavy heart. +</p> +<p> + When he reached the cottage, he found his father and mother in great + alarm, as they could not think what had become of him. When they found + out what had taken place, their alarm was changed into grief, on account + of the son whom they loved so much, having done wrong. John himself + cried a great deal, and said that he was more vexed because he had + caused them grief, than he should have been, if they had scolded and + whipped him. His mother told him that she left it to his own heart to + scold him, and that he should go to his bed-room and pray to God on his + knees to forgive him, as she had taught him to pray. +</p> +<p> + John did as she bade him, and he prayed to God with all his heart. + He then went to sleep with a quiet mind; and when he awoke the next + morning, he prayed again that God would give him strength to do his + duty, and to stand firm when he should be tempted again as he had been + by Tom Jones. He then read a chapter in the Bible to his mother, and + went to school. His master kept him in, and gave him only a piece of + bread and a cup of water for dinner. But he did not suffer nearly so + much from this as he had done from having grieved his dear parents; for + he had before this been brought to repent, and he felt that God, and + his father and mother, had forgiven him. +</p> +<p> + John Cooper never again grieved his father and mother by doing wrong, + and never forgot the lesson he had learned, when Tom Jones led him + astray, as long as he lived. +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/10.jpg" width="593" height="747" +alt="Sunday Morning."> +</center> +<p> + When John Cooper became a man, there were bad times, and he could not + get a living at the trade to which he had been brought up: so he went + for a horse-soldier. And before he went, his father and mother gave him + their blessing, and he prayed with all his heart that God would bless + the old people, and preserve them; and said he would let them have as + much of his pay as ever he could. +</p> +<p> + It was a sad day for him and his parents when he went away. They had + never been parted for so long a time before, and he was now going to + India, from whence he could not return for some years. But they could + not help it; so they all said that it was God's will that they should + part, and it was their duty to bear it as well as they could. +</p> +<p> + After John was gone, the old people never missed a day but they prayed + to God to keep their son, both in his soul and body, from all evil. They + were very poor, and were now too old to work much; but with what they + got of John's pay, they had enough just to live upon, and above all they + had thankful hearts, which made them happy. Yet they often wished for + John's return; sometimes too they were fearful lest he should be killed + or wounded in the wars; but when they felt thus, they always tried to + put their trust in God. +</p> +<p> + When John had been away ten years, he came back one day, safe and sound, + as his father and mother were standing at the door of the cottage. You + may judge how they all felt, and how many questions his fond mother + asked him, as to where he had been, and how he had got on. +</p> +<p> + The next day was Sunday, and both John and his parents were glad of it, + for they wished to go to church to offer up their thanks to God, who had + kept John safe through many dangers, had saved the lives of the old + people, and had now brought them to each other again. +</p> +<p> + It was a fine bright morning in Spring, just such a one as it had been + nearly twenty years before, when Tom Jones had tempted John Cooper to + keep away from school, and to go into the wood to take birds' nests. + John did not forget that day; and when it came into his mind, he could + not help thinking of the changes that had taken place since. +</p> +<p> + He went to church, and you may be sure that he and the old man and woman + gave thanks to God with all their hearts, for the mercy he had shewn to + them. +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/14.jpg" width="597" height="766" +alt="Charity"> +</center> +<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + CHARITY. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + Mary Jones was a poor woman whose husband had gone to sea on a long + voyage. She lived in a house by the road side, and got her living by + washing. She had two little boys, who were her great comfort, and whom + she used to call Ned and Tom. +</p> +<p> + For some time after her husband had left, she got on very well, and was + able to send the boys to school: but she caught a fever and was forced + to keep her bed. Her neighbour, Sarah Smith, was very kind to her, and + used to come to the house every morning and evening to do what she could + to help her. But she was a poor woman, and could not afford to give Mary + Jones anything that cost money; so poor Mary was forced to part with a + great many things that she might get food. +</p> +<p> + Ned and Tom at this time took turns to go to school. Tom used to go to + school one day, while Ned waited on his mother; and the next day Ned + went to school and Tom staid at home. One morning when Ned was going to + school, the thought of his poor mother pressed hard on his heart; and + after he had gone a little way, he burst out crying. +</p> +<p> + He had not gone far along the narrow lane towards the school, when two + young ladies met him and asked him why he was crying. He told them that + he was thinking of his poor sick mother. The ladies then asked him his + name and where he lived, and said they would go and call upon his + mother. He thanked them and dried up his tears, and went on to school + with a much lighter heart. +</p> +<p> + Soon after he reached home in the evening, the two kind ladies came to + his mother's house with a foot-boy, who brought a basket filled with + bread and meat, and some things fit for the poor sick woman. +</p> +<p> + They told Mary Jones how they had met Ned in the lane, and what he had + told them; and she thanked them for what they had brought, and said that + she hoped God would bless them for their goodness to her. They then + asked about Ned and Tom, and said they would get their father to do what + he could for them. +</p> +<p> + The young ladies then went home, told their father and mother what they + had seen and heard, and thanked God that they had been able to make a + poor woman and her two sons happy. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + HOSPITALITY. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + There was a poor woman named Rachel Jenkins, who lived in a very little + cottage at some distance from any other house. She was a widow, and very + poor, but she was very clean and careful; so that her cottage had always + a look of neatness and comfort. She used to spend most of her time in + spinning. +</p> +<p> + She had one son, whose name was Harry. He was twelve years old, and used + to carry a basket filled with tapes and thread, pins and needles, and + other things of that sort, which he sold to people who lived near. He + used to go out in the morning and return in the evening; and you may be + sure his mother was always glad when the time came for him to come home. +</p> +<p> + One evening, as he was on his way home, about half a mile from his + mother's house, he saw an old man sitting by the way-side, who was very + tired, and seemed as if he was not able to walk any further. His hair + was quite white, and his face and hands were thin and wrinkled. +</p> +<p> + Harry said to him in a kind voice, "You seem tired, father; have you got + much further to walk." The old man told him that he had to go to the + next town, which was twelve miles further; but that he was so tired, he + was sure that he should not be able to get there that night. On this, + Harry said, "I wish you would go home with me; for I am sure my mother + would be very glad that you should sleep in our house." The old man + thanked him and said he would go with him. So he rested his hand upon + Harry's shoulder, and walked slowly towards the house. Harry's mother + met them at the door; and when Harry had told her how he had met with + the old man, she said she was glad to see him, and asked him to walk in + to take some tea. +</p> +<p> + After tea, the old man told Sarah Jenkins that he was going to see his + son, who was laid up in a hospital in the town to which he was going. + His son was a soldier, and had been in the West Indies for some years; + but he caught the yellow fever, and was sent home sick. +</p> +<p> + The next morning the old man went on his way, and blessed Sarah Jenkins + and Harry, because they had done good to him who could make no other + return than to thank them and pray for them. +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/19.jpg" width="600" height="781" +alt="Hospitality"> +</center> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + SUNDAY EVENING. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + When I was a girl, Sunday evening used to be the part of the week that I + loved best; and I liked it better in Winter than in Summer. We used to + sit round a blazing fire; my mother used then to teach my little brother + Tom to say his prayers, and my father used to teach me to read in + Pilgrim's Progress, or some such book; while my brother John sat near + reading some book or other that was fit for a Sunday, with his dog + Hector lying at his feet. +</p> +<p> + My dear old grand-father was then alive, and he would sit at the table + with the large old family Bible before him for the whole evening. +</p> +<p> + As I look back upon the pleasant picture in my mind, my eye fills with + tears. I cannot help thinking of what has become of the faces that were + then so full of smiles and gladness. My grand-father went to the grave + first, but he died in a good old age; and though we mourned to lose him + whom we had all loved so much, we could not help feeling that it was a + happy change for him, as he could hardly see or hear. Next to him, my + poor little brother Tom fell ill of the typhus fever, and God took him + to heaven in the budding of his child-hood. Only a year or two ago, my + father gave me his dying blessing, and was then a very old man. My + mother now survives, though very old; and my two sisters, Mary and + Elizabeth, who were then lively girls, are living, and are the mothers + of families. My brother John, a middle-aged man, is the Captain of a + ship, being now far away on a voyage; and he has left behind him a wife + and two boys, the youngest of whom is as old as he was at the time I + have spoken of. I am almost an old woman; though on these happy evenings + that I was speaking of, I was the youngest but one. +</p> +<p> + You, my little friends, will, perhaps, some day have to look back upon + such changes as I have seen. The thought that they will come upon you + need not make you sad, but it should make you good, and cause you to + resolve to do your duty and to serve God. If you do so, when you get as + old as I am, you will find that if age brings its cares and sorrows, it + also brings surer and even brighter hopes of a life beyond the grave. +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/23.jpg" width="600" height="775" +alt="Sunday Evening"> +</center> +<a name="2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + CONTENTMENT. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + John Davis and his wife were very poor people, but as they worked very + hard, they could just get a living for themselves. John worked for a + farmer in the parish, and his wife took in needle-work. +</p> +<p> + They did pretty well, when John had work; but for nearly two years + John's master could not employ him always, and he was brought almost to + distress. But his wife always used to keep up his spirits by saying, "Be + content, and thank God if you can but live; brighter hours will come." +</p> +<p> + Sometimes John was quite spirit-broken, and said he should leave home + and try to get work somewhere else. He was forced to sell some of his + goods to buy food, and did not know which way to turn. But his wife + never failed to wear a cheerful face, and used to be always saying to + him, "Do your best, and be content to take what God appoints." +</p> +<p> + John loved his wife very much; but he was sometimes half vexed because + she was never sad like he was. He would tell her that it was a very good + thing to be cheerful and happy when they could get a good living. She + then used to say to him, that there was no virtue in being content when + all was going on well; and that the proper time to try to be cheerful + was, when things were going amiss. +</p> +<p> + At last, better times came. John got into work on the estate of a rich + man who lived near; and as he was a very honest man and knew his work, + his master soon put him in a place of trust, raised his wages, and gave + him a good house to live in. +</p> +<p> + John had by this time got five children, and he could no longer deny + that he had reason enough to be a happy man. You may see him and his + wife and children in the picture, enjoying a fine Summer's evening in + front of their house. +</p> +<p> + I knew John when I was young, and he was always ready to say how much + was due to his good wife. He told me that he owed all his good fortune + to her cheerful spirits and good advice to him; and added, that now he + was well off he found the truth of what she had told him, that the + proper time to try to be cheerful was, when things were going amiss. I + have never forgot that lesson, and I hope I never shall; and I beg my + young friends to keep in mind that 'Contentment is a constant feast.' +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/27.jpg" width="600" height="757" +alt="Contentment"> +</center> +<a name="2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> +<h2> + INDUSTRY. +</h2> +<hr> +<p> + "There is work enough in the world for every one to do something. There + is no proper place for idle people." This is what old Michael the basket + maker used to say to his children; and as they grew up, they found + reason enough to thank him for the lesson. +</p> +<p> + Michael had been a sailor in his youth, but when he married, he settled + in a country place, and took up the trade of a basket maker. At first, + he could hardly get money enough to buy rods: but by working very hard, + he soon got money and credit too. No one in the village was now up + before Michael, and most people went to bed before he left off work. +</p> +<p> + Small as was the sum of money that he could earn in a week, he would + always put by something, if it was but a penny. Every month he put these + savings into the savings' bank; and in the course of the first six + years, he found he had got twenty-five pounds. +</p> +<p> + By this time he had got two children, and the eldest was old enough to + learn to read. She used to sit by him with her book as he worked, and he + taught her when she wanted help. His wife was in the mean time doing + something in the house, or working for some of the farmers who lived + near. +</p> +<p> + Michael now bought a cow and two pigs, and made some profit by them. In + six years more he bought the cottage he lived in; and twelve years after + this, that is twenty-four years after he was married, he rented a little + farm. By this time he had seven children; and as he had made his cottage + larger, they all lived at home and helped him. His eldest boys worked at + the farm, and the girls milked the cows and made the butter, under the + care of their mother, and kept the poultry. +</p> +<p> + As for Michael himself, though he was well off, he kept on his old + trade, and went on in his old habits. The last time I saw him before I + left the place in which he lived, he was teaching his youngest child to + read while he was at work, just as he had taught his eldest. +</p> +<p> + I have often thought of Michael's words, "There is no place in the world + for idle people." +</p> +<center> +<img src="images/31.jpg" width="610" height="762" +alt="Industry"> +</center> +<div style="height: 6em;"><br><br><br><br><br><br></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13344 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |