them, and afford them all the assistance in your power.  You know, dear brother, that mother has had many hardships for our sakes.  Well do I remember how she used to go out in cold, stormy weather, to assist us about our work, in order to afford us the opportunity of attending school.  May we live to enjoy the pleasure of having it in our power to return in some small degree the debt we owe her, by contributing to her comfort in the decline of life.”

Then again he wrote to his sister, referring to his brother’s absence:  “I scarcely know how you will get along without him, as mother wrote me he was going to learn a trade this fall.  You must try to do all you can to help along.  Think how much trouble and hardship mother has undergone for our sakes.  Surely we are old enough to take some of the burden off her hands.  I hope you will not neglect these hints.  Never suffer mother to undergo any hardship of which you can relieve her.  Strive to do all you can to lessen the cares and anxieties which must of necessity come upon her.  Be kind, obedient, and cheerful in the performance of every duty.  Consider it a pleasure to do anything by which you can render assistance to her.”

To another sister he wrote, “I hope you will do all you can to contribute to the assistance and comfort of grandmother and mother.  You have it in your power to do much for them.  Take care that you never grieve them by folly or misconduct.  If my influence will have any effect on your mind, think how much your brother wishes you to behave well, and to render yourself useful and beloved; but remember above all, that God always sees you, and that you never can be guilty of a fault that is not known to him.  Strive then to be dutiful and obedient to our only remaining parent, and to be kind and affectionate to all around you.”

These are beautiful exhibitions of his filial love.  A remembrance of his mother’s wants and sorrows was a constantly growing principle of his youthful heart.  It was a spirit, too, which never forsook him through his whole subsequent life.  Even while on his bed of death in Africa, his heart still yearned over the sorrows and cares of his widowed mother.  Then he gave directions for the sale of his little earthly property, that the avails of it might be sent back to America to his mother.  Though the sum was small it was enough to contribute much to her comfort for her remaining years.  How precious is such a recollection of a boy who never forgot, and never ceased to love his mother.  What a beauty does this fact add to the character and conduct of a youth!  How valuable is such a tribute to the memory of a youth, “He never forgot his mother!”

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Original.

THE MISSION MONEY:  OR, THE PRIDE OF CHARITY.

     “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of
     them.”—­MATTHEW 6:6.

In an obscure country village lived two little girls of nearly the same age, named Annie Grey and Charlotte Murray; their homes were not very distant from each other, and they were constant companions and playmates.