Last year, my temper was so quick,
    My angry words came fast and thick,
    And brother Tom I’d scold and strike
    When he did what I did not like. 
    I am so sorry!  Loving words
    Are sweeter than the song of birds;
    And, all this year, I mean to see
    If I a gentle child can be.

ALL. (Four or more.)

    The past is past; the year is new: 
    We will be patient, brave, and true;
    When we are bidden, quick to mind;
    Unselfish, courteous, and kind;
    And try in every place to see
    What good, good children we can be.

MARIAN DOUGLAS.

[Illustration:  Tail piece]

[Illustration:  Chapter header]

THE SHEEP FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD.

The tenth chapter of St. John says, “He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.”

But may it not be the form or dress of the shepherd that the sheep know, and follow him?  To test this, a traveller, who had put the question, once exchanged dresses with a shepherd, and went amongst the sheep.

The traveller in the shepherd’s dress called the sheep, and tried to lead them; but “they knew not his voice,” and did not move.  But when the shepherd called them, though he was in the traveller’s dress, they ran at once to him, thus proving that it was the voice that led them.

I have a dog that will sometimes bark at me when I put on an overcoat which he has not seen me wear before.  But, the moment he hears my voice, he seems ashamed of not having known me, and will whine, as if he would say, “Pardon me, good master.  It was very stupid in me not to know you.  It was your coat I did not know.  I will try to be wiser the next time.”

DORA BURNSIDE

* * * * *

“A FRIEND IN NEED.”

Henry lived in the great city of London.  He was known as “the boy at the crossing.”  He used to sweep one of the crossings in Oxford Street.  In wet weather these crossings are very muddy.  Now and then some one would give him a penny for his work.  He did not make much in a day; but what he got was a great help to his mother.  That thought kept him daily at his work.  One day he saw a little girl trying to lead her little brother across the street.  The carts and the horses made her afraid, and she ran back timidly.

“What’s the matter, little girl?” asked Henry.

“I am afraid we shall be run over,” said the girl.

“I’ll help you across,” said Henry.  Then, lifting the little boy in his arms, he took the girl by the hand, and led her safely to the other side of the street.

[Illustration:  A friend in need.]

“Thank you!” said the little girl; and “Thank you!” said her little brother, as plainly as he could speak it.