_L._ It must ask the gardener to graft it with some good sort, or else it would continue to bear just the same as usual.
_F._ Then what must my dear Lucy do, if she desires to bring forth the good fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance?
_L._ Then, dear papa, (as you said the other day,) I must ask the Saviour to cleanse me from my sins by his precious blood, that I may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, so that I may learn to do His will.
_F._ Yes, my dear, and if you earnestly seek the Saviour’s grace, even a few days will shew a change in your behaviour.
Lucy kissed her father, and said, “Papa, will you pray for me?” “Yes,” said he, “my dear, I trust God will enable me always to remember you in my prayers.” Lucy then went to her aunt, and in a modest humble manner really and sincerely asked her to forgive what she had done wrong.
Perhaps, some day, you may read another story about Lucy, and learn whether she remembered her father’s advice, and how God was pleased to bless her desire to do his will.
It was the month of January; the fields and houses were covered with snow, and the skaiters and sliders were gliding on the ice; the streets of the towns were covered with snow, and the poor people crowded to the wood merchants,[A] some to buy faggots, while others could only afford to purchase a few billets, just enough to make a little fire in their humble cottages.
Among them was a girl named Margaret, not quite ten years old. She was but poorly dressed, and she shivered with cold.
The little girl stood near a shed where a great many faggots were piled. She looked first at the wood and then at the money in her hand, yet did not enter the shed, but stood shivering in the street.
On the opposite side of the way lived Mr. Basil. His eldest son, Joseph, happened to be at the window and saw this little girl examining the bundles of wood.
After looking at her for a few minutes, he thought she was some workman’s daughter, and might not have money enough to buy the wood she was sent for. He was very sorry for this, and crossed over the road to her.
_Joseph._ It is very cold, my little girl, and you have neither bonnet nor gloves.