Eddie was in great glee.  His mother enjoyed it almost as much as he did, for it was an exhilarating sight.  Some of the boys were sliding, some skating, and others pushing sleds before them, on which a mother or sister were sitting.  It reminded one of the pictures we often see of skating in Holland; and, to make the resemblance more perfect, a Dutchman was there with his pipe, defiling the pure, fresh air with its foul odour.

Mrs. Dudley was invited to take a ride, and, leaving Eddie in the care of another, she was soon seated on one of the sleds, and speeding away before a rapid skater.  She found it far more swift and agreeable than riding in the usual way.  Eddie, too, had a ride, and his little heart was brimfull of happiness.  He walked about on the ice quite carefully and fearlessly.

The river, on which these children were, rises and falls with the tide.  Eddie saw other boys sliding off towards an icy meadow bordering on it, and he thought he would go too.  The ice formed an inclined plane; his feet slipped on its smooth surface, and down he went; he jumped up, but the blood from his nose, flowing over his face and coat, and staining the snow, frightened him, and he uttered a loud cry.  The skaters were with him before his mother, though she was but a few steps away, for she could not move as quickly as they.  It was pleasant to see their sympathy, and hear their kind inquiries.  His mother soon comforted him; for he had not been cut by the ice as they feared.  The blood from his nose testified to a pretty hard bump.  He soon forgot the pain, and was as happy as ever.  He will long remember his first sled ride on the river.

Why do you think, dear children, I have told you this story about a child whom you have never seen?  I wanted to ask you, or rather have you ask yourselves, if you are willing, as Eddie was, to do as your mother thinks best?  Much as he wanted to go on the river, he felt satisfied to do as his mother wished.  I hope, when you know what your mother prefers, you will make up your minds to give up your own plans, and be happy in doing so.

I am not one of those who imagine children have no trials.  I know their lives are not all bright and sunny.  I have not forgotten being a child myself.  Many a hard battle has to be fought with wrong feelings and wrong wishes; but never fear; resolve to conquer yourselves, and subdue every thing that is sinful.  Every victory will make you stronger, and render it easier for you to do right.  Will you try?

    “If at first you don’t succeed,
        Try, try again.”

THE BIRDS AND THE SNOW-STORM.

The weather is warm and sunny.  The snow of winter has disappeared.  The grass is green, and growing finely.  The early spring-flowers have opened their blossoms, and we all think summer is so near, that the cold weather must be over.  The birds have thought so, too; for they are flying from tree to tree, singing most beautiful melodies, and peeping about, here and there, making arrangements for summer, and selecting places where to build their pretty nests.