But I must insist no longer; I will only add, then, in a word,—­that it were far, far better that your children should occupy a more humble station in life—­that they should be dressed in fewer of the “silks of Ormus,” and have less gold from the “mines of Ind,” than to be neglected by a father in regard to their moral and religious training.  Better leave them an interest in the Covenant than thousands of the treasures of the world.  Your example, fathers,—­your counsel—­your prayers, are a better bequest than any you can leave them.  Think of leaving them in a cold, rude, selfish world, without the grace of God to secure them, without his divine consolation to comfort.  Think of the “voyage of awful length,” you and they must “sail so soon.”  Think of the meeting in another world which lies before you and them, and say, Does the wide world afford that which could make amends for a separation—­an eternal separation from these objects of your love?

* * * * *

Original.

FAULT-FINDING:  ITS EFFECTS.

“What in creation have you done!  Careless boy, how could you be so heedless?  You are forever cutting some such caper, on purpose to ruin me I believe.  Now go to work, and earn the money to pay for it, will you? lazy fellow!”

Coarse and passionate exclamations these, and I am sorry to say they were uttered by Mr. Colman, who would be exceedingly indignant if any body should hint a suspicion that he was, or could be, other than a gentleman, and a Christian.  His son, a bright and well-meaning lad of fourteen, had accidentally hit the end of a pretty new walking cane, which his favorite cousin had given him a few hours before, against a delicate china vase which stood upon the mantle-piece, and in a moment it lay in fragments at his feet.  He was sadly frightened, and would have been very sorry too, but for the harsh and ill-timed reproof of his father, which checked the humble plea for forgiveness just rising to his lips, and as Mr. Colman left the room, put on his hat and coat in the hall, and closed the street door with more than usual force, to go to his store, the young lad’s feelings were anything but dutiful.  Just then his mother entered.

“Why James Colman!  Did you do that?  I declare you are the most careless boy I ever beheld!  That beautiful pair of vases your father placed there New Year’s morning, to give me a pleasant surprise.  I would not have had it broken for twenty dollars.”

“Mother, I just hit it accidentally with this little cane, and I’m sure I’m as sorry as I can be.”

“And what business has your cane in the parlor, I beg to know?  I’ll take it, and you’ll not see it again for the present, if this is the way you expect to use it.  You deserve punishment for such carelessness, and I wish your father had chastised you severely.”  And taking the offending cane from his hand, she, too, left him to meditations, somewhat like the following:—­