201. "Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame,
To show how well he has played the game,
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice,
To see him come home &hear his voice.

"Only a dad of a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more,
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips & scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home do wait!

"Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving, from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them!

"Only a dad, but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern & grim,
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, BUT THE BEST OF MEN!"
--Edgar A. Guest

202. The Lord made parents so they could be examples of His loving discipline & loving rule. I think He meant their loving care & loving discipline to be training in submission to Him. If all our lives we've submitted to our earthly parents, then it shouldn't be so difficult to recognise God's authority & to bow to it & defer to it, & submit to it!

203."They shall be Mine when I make up My jewels." (Mal. 3:17)
"A diamond in the rough,
Is a diamond sure enough;
For before it ever sparkles,
It is made of diamond stuff!
Of course some one must find it,
Or it never will be found;
and then some one must grind it,
Or it never will be ground;
But when it's found, & when it's ground,
And when it's burnished bright,
It sparkles everlastingly,
Just shooting forth its light!
Ah, teacher in the Sunday school,
Don't say, 'I've done enough,'
That worst boy in your Bible class,
May be a diamond in the rough!
Perhaps you think he's grinding YOU,
And maybe you are right,
But possibly you need the grinding,
To finish you out bright!"

204. I hardly know a real father or real mother who doesn't love their child or their children more than themselves. That's what makes them real fathers & mothers willing to suffer for them, willing to sacrifice for them.

205. Upon a rocky trail one day
I met a friendly pair,
A father & his little lad--
A storm was in the air.
The precipice was dangerous,
The wind was coming on,
But on that child's trusting face
Was joyfulness & calm.
My own heart quaked a bit with fear
Of what might lie ahead,
But when I said, "Aren't you afraid?"
The laddy shook his head,
Astonished at my ignorance,
"Oh, you don't understand,
Why, Mister, I can't be afraid
When Daddy holds my hand."
--Alice Mortenson

206. Used to wonder just why Father,
Never had much time to play;
Used to wonder why he'd rather
Work each minute of the day.

Boys are blind to much that's going
On about them every day,
And I had no way of knowing
What became of Father's pay.

All I knew was when I needed
shoes I got 'em on the spot;
Everything for which I pleaded,
Somehow Father always got.

Wondered season after season
Why he never took a rest,
And that I might be the reason
That I never even guessed.

Rest has come--his task is ended,
Calm is written on his brow,
Father's life was big & splendid,
And I understand it now.
--Edgar A. Guest

207. "What will you have?" asked a waiter of a man who had taken his seat at a table in a restaurant. "A glass of beer", said the man. "And what shall I get for the little boy?" asked the waiter of the boy sitting beside his father. "Same as Dad," said the boy. Instantly, the father said, "Give me something else!"

208. No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.

209. Another thing "so simple a child can operate" is a grandparent.

210. Some how a fellow can't express
The feelings he has had
While through the years he's walked & talked
And laughed & played with Dad.
He cannot put in words the love--
The pride that wells within,
The admiration in his heart,
Whene'er Dad looks at him.

Dad is the hero of his dreams,
The king upon the throne,
The pattern for that idea life
Which he would make his own.
He knows that Dad well understands
The conflicts in his breast,
And shared the problems he must face,
Though often unexpressed.

How could a fellow go astray,
Who with his Dad has stood
Within the secret place of prayer
Before a holy God!
And this my constant prayer shall be,
That until life is done,
My conduct here shall honor him,
Who proudly calls me "Son."
--Alvis B. Christiansen

211. P.H. Chang, Chinese consul-general in New York City was asked to comment on the fact that there are no juvenile delinquents among Chinese-American youths. He said, "A Chinese child, no matter where he lives, is brought up to recognize that he cannot shame his parents. Before a Chinese child makes a move, he stops to think what the reaction on his parents will be. Will they be proud or will they be ashamed? That is the sole question he asks himself."

212. There are little eyes upon you,
and they're watching night & day;
There are little ears that quickly
take in everything you say;
There are little hands all eager
to do everything you do.
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly,
holds that all you say & do
He will say & do in your way
when he's grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right,
And his ears are always open,
& he watches day & night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.
--Leslie Hale

213. "They say that man is mighty, he governs land & sea;
He wields a mighty scepter on lower powers than he.
"But mightier power & stronger, man from his throne has hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

214. There was a crooked man, who had a crooked smile,
Who made a crooked fortune, in a very crooked style!
He lived a crooked life, as crooked people do,
and wondered why it turned out, his sons were crooked, too!

215. My hand is large & his is small
And there is nothing on earth at all
More important than the task
That lies ahead of me. I ask
For wisdom, Lord, that I may lead
This child aright; his every need
Depends on me. But Thou my guide
That I, in walking by his side,
May choose the right paths for his feet.
The days are swift, the years are fleet,
Make me alert in deed & word
As we go forward, blessed Lord,
His precious clinging hand in mine,
With always, Lord, my hand in Thine.
--Grace Noll Crowell

216. Little Mary Nell was rapidly eating fistfulls of chocolate candy when suddenly her father appeared, coming up the walk. Cramming the last piece of chocolate in her mouth, she squealed with delight as she dashed toward her father. She threw herself into his outstretched arms, joyously exclaiming: "Daddy! Daddy! You're home! You're home!"
Father saw Mary Nell's chocolate smeared hands, mouth, & dress too late! His white shirt was a mess! His first impulse was to reprimand her. He put her down, however, & laughed heartily! How could he react differently to the spontaneous outburst of love, joy & armfuls of affection, when he thought, "Did I not come to the heavenly Father soiled by years of sinful living? Did He not enfold me in His arms of love?"

217. The young Mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is the way long?" she asked.
And her Guide said" "Yes. And the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
But the young Mother was happy, & she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, & gathered flowers for them along the way, & bathed with them in the clear streams; & the sun shone on them & life was good, & the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
The night came, & storm, & the path was dark, & the children shook with fear & cold, & the Mother drew them close & covered them with her mantle, & the children said, "Oh, Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, & no harm can come," and the Mother said, "This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage."
And the morning came, & there was a hill ahead, & the children climbed & grew weary, & the Mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, "A little patience & we are there." So the children climbed & when they reached the top, they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the Mother, when she lay down that night, looked at the stars & said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength."
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth--clouds of war & hate & evil, & the children groped & stumbled, & the Mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the Light." And the children looked & saw above the clouds an everlasting Glory, & it guided them & brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."
And the days went on, & the weeks & the months & the years; & the Mother grew old, & she was little & bent. But her children were tall & strong, & walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their Mother, & when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; & at last they came to a hill, & beyond the hill they could see a shining road & a golden gate flung wide.
And the Mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, & their children after them."
And the children said: "You will always walk with us, Mother even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood & watched her as she went on alone, & the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

218. His little arms crept 'round my neck, & then I heard him say,
Four simple words I can't forget, four words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul, on secrets no one knew,
They startled me, I hear them yet, he said, "I'll be like you!"
--Herbert Parker

219. "Honour thy father & thy mother." That is a commandment of the Lord, Jesus quoted it so it's part of His Law of Love. (Mat.19:19) He said this is the first commandment with a promise attached. He said it was the first commandment with promise, think of that. "Honour thy father & thy mother, that your days may be long in the land & verily thou shalt be fed." (Eph.6:2,3)

220. I saw tomorrow look at me
From baby's deep blue eyes,
Reminding me of God's great trust;
Oh, heavenly Father, make me wise.

221. The Family is a garden
With flowers sweet & fair.
The parents are their pruners
Of each child in their care.

God made the family garden,
Allowed each blossom to unfold.
He blessed the family garden,
Gave it a budding beauty to behold.

Love controls the pruning tool,
Used by the parents each day.
Trust is the timeless tool
that guides a family in God's way.
--Wilma L. Shaffer

222.It takes great courage & foresight to say to your child, "I don't care what you think of me now; I'm concerned with what you will think of me a few years from now."

223. Mother love is dangerous when it becomes SMOTHER love.

224. The alarm went off
Half an hour ago!
Why doesn't he get up?
He wakes up so slow!

I open the closet,
And let out a sigh,
He said he would clean it,
But let it slip by.

The kids sit a'waiting,
For the breakfast I make.
And he comes to the table
Though he's still not awake!

I've waited all day
For a tender embrace,
But he's been so busy
Running 'round everyplace!

He goes to the store,
For diapers & thread.
But the list gets misplaced,
And he comes home with bread.

It's the middle of night,
Baby's waking again.
How can he not hear her?
He sleeps on with a grin.

Should I wake him from slumber,
And chide him or scold?
No, the story's not over,
There's more I've not told.

For him there's no job,
That's too small or great.
Whatever needs doing,
Why, he won't hesitate!

The kids they sure love him,
'Cause he gives them his all!
He's a master at crayons,
And stories & balls!

He must have his problems,
As least ONCE in awhile,
but they don't seem to stop him,
From going one more mile.

I don't know how he does it:
He just trusts through each test!
He tells me his victories,
And tells Jesus the rest!

When it gets hard at times,
And I sigh in despair,
He'll say, "Look up, Honey,
You know Jesus cares!"

He says, "Come now, Sweetheart,
You take a short rest.
I'll take all the kids
And I'll give them my best!"

And then he assures me,
"Why, there's no need to fret!
We'll do what we can do,
And He'll see us through yet!"

And he's right every time,
'Cause the Lord's Love is true,
And He gives us the grace,
For the trials we go through!

When you've got a big family
And a babe on the breast,
If your mate's a real daddy,
Well, you know you are blest!

He gives it his all,
Yes, he's done what he could!
And sometimes I feel,
He's done more than he should!

So what if he sleeps
In a little bit late?
He's such a good daddy!
He's such a good mate!

225. I remember a little fellow, frightened by the lightning & thunder, who called out one dark night, "Daddy, come, I'm scared." "Oh, son", the father said, "God loves you & He'll take care of you." "I know God loves me & that He'll take care of me", the small son replied, "But right now, I want somebody who has skin on."

226. A dad is a mender of toys, a leader of boys.
He's a changer of fuses, a healer of bruises.
He's a mover of couches, a healer of ouches.
He's a hanger of screens, a counsellor of teens.
He's a pounder of nails, a teller of tales.
He's a dryer of dishes, a fulfiller of wishes.
Bless him, O Lord.
--Jo Ann Heidbreder

227. The greatest battle that ever was fought-
Shall I tell you where & when?
On the maps of the world you will find it not:
It was fought by the Mothers of Men.

Not with cannon or battle shot,
With sword or nobler pen;
Not with eloquent word or thought
From the wonderful minds of men;

But deep in a walled-up woman's heart;
A woman that would not yield;
But bravely & patiently bore her part;
Lo! There is the battlefield.

No marshalling troops, no bivouac song,
No banner to gleam & wave;
But, Oh, these battles they last so long--
From babyhood to the grave!

But faithful still as a bridge of stars
She fights in her walled-up town;
Fights on, & on, in the endless wars;
Then silent, unseen goes down!

Ho! ye with banners & battle shot,
With soldiers to shout & praise,
I tell you the kingliest victories fought
Are fought in these silent ways.
--Joaquin Miller

228. A careful mother I must be,
A little daughter follows me.
I do not dare to go astray,
For fear she'll go the self same way.
She's only just a bit past three,
But I see in her a smaller me.
Like me she says she's going to be,
This precious babe who follows me.
She likes to help me cook & sew,
She follows me where'er I go.
Not once can I escape her eyes,
Whate'er I do she always tries.
She acts like I'm almost divine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me she must not see,
This trusting child who follows me.
Lord! make me conscious as I go,
Through summer sun & winter snow,
That she'll be what she's trained to be.
A future mother follows me.
--by Martha E. Lambert

229. How hurt or disappointed do you feel when your children make a mistake? Oh yes, of course you feel a little bad, but you expect them to fail & to be bad sometimes or make the wrong decisions, it's all a part of growing up. You don't get all sensitive or offended because your child does something wrong; you know they're going to be that way & they're going to do things wrong sometimes, they're not perfect. In fact, the initial disappointment is all but forgotten in the happiness you feel when you see him learning his lesson & doing the right thing. When you're learning, you're bound to make mistakes.

230. Are you frustrated, Mommy?
Are you tired, Dad?
Does no one appreciate
The tough day you've just had?

Is there no one near to thank you
Or pat you on the back
For all the work you've done today
In spite of all you lack?

You wonder if you'll get ahead
And when you'll see the light.
But 'cause your children need you so,
You know you'll hold on tight!

'Cause if you'd ever just give up
Why, who would see them through?
This one thought, I wot, just ought
To give new strength to you!

The Son of God, was yet a man
With only mortal strength--
Yet how they pressed & drew from Him,
Compelled Him to such lengths!

With weary hands He touched & healed,
With weary lips He spake!
With weary feet He walked lone ways
--He did it for their sakes!

His life was surely not His own,
For He gave it all away!
To those who pressed to touch, to hear
The Words He had to say.

O Lord, today help ME to say
With smile & cheerful heart,
"It's not a sacrifice at all
When called to do my part!"

And daily as I teach & train,
And little lives I mold,
I know my labours one day soon
Shall yield one hundred-fold!

Oh, what a tiny price to pay,
For such a noble cause,
To teach their hearts to trust in God,
And keep His loving laws!

Frustrated Mom & tired Dad,
I sympathise with you.
But give your all & He'll give strength
And Joy to see you through!
--By a mother of 10

231. Your children are your greatest task! They are your greatest responsibility, the little disciples that God has given you that you have to take care of & you must train, & they had better be taught well & reared well in the nurture & admonition of the Lord & trained up in the way they should go, so that when they are older they will not depart therefrom! (Prov.22:6)

232. "I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine", He said,
"For you to love the while he lives
And think of when he's gone.
I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from life return
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide World over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lane
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
To take him back again?"

233. Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek & the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.
These are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play & I made for my train, you turned & waved a hand & called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" & I frowned, & said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"
Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive & if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!
Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door, "What is it you want?" I snapped.
You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, & threw your arms around my neck & kissed me, & your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart & which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.
Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands & a terrible sickening fear came over me. What was habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding--this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
And there was so much that was good & fine & true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in & kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, & I have knelt there, ashamed!
It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, & suffer when you suffer, & laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy, a little boy!"
I am afraid I have visualised you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled & weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder, I have asked too much, too much.

234.This is what a grandchild does: brushes off the years;
Polishes a grandpa's smiles; banishes his fears;
Lightens up his step a bit; brings him tasks to do;
Teaches him to play once more games which once he knew;
Leads him to the toy shops; in his world of men;
Sends him on his daily round young at heart again.
Grandfolks have no time to think they are getting old.
They must learn anew the rhymes & the tales they told;
They must plan for circus time; wander 'round the zoo,
Call the animals by name, as they used to do.
They've no voice for aches & pains. Young at heart are they.
Eastertide is theirs once more, & the Christmas Day.

This is what a grandchild does: long lost joys restores;
Gives age back the birds & flowers & the out-of-doors;
Pleasures lost & long forgot; songs he used to sing;
Princes in the golden towers; butterflies a-wing;
Every charm that childhood bears in its joyous train,
For a third time down the years--all is ours again!
--Edgar A. Guest

235. Oh, say not that your little son is dead;
The word too harsh & much too hopeless seems,
Believe, instead,
That he has left his little trundel bed
To climb the hills
Of morning, & to share the joy that fills
God's pleasant land of dreams.
Nay, say not that your little son is dead.
It is not right, because it is not true.
Believe, instead,
He has but gone the way that you must tread,
And, smiling, waits
In loving ambush by those pearly gates,
To laugh & leap at you.
No knight that does you service can be dead;
Nor idle is this young knight gone before.
Believe, instead,
Upon an envoy's mission he hath sped
That doth import
Your greatest good; for he at heaven's court
Is your ambassador.
--T.A. Daly.

236. O Lord, You've made another day,
I wonder what will come our way
Before the even falls?
If I could take a little peek
I'd know if I should stay asleep
Or beckon to them all--

Let's rise & shine & greet the sun,
Let's get along, children, it's such great fun!
To wake up in the morning!
(Droopy little eyes & heads,
I hope nobody's wet their beds,
'Cause that's just not so charming!)

Now line up at the bathroom door.
--But no bare feet upon the floor!
Make sure you wear your sandals.
Now who'll be first to make their bed?
Looks like a storm just hit & fled,
And left your beds in shambles!

But if each one will do their part,
We'll get it done, we just need start.
But slowly now.--We're not in such a hurry!
Now, Stephen, don't you start to cry!
She didn't mean to poke your eye!
Ruth, tell him please you're sorry.

Papa's going to fry the eggs,
Just for a little help, he begs.
Is someone free to set the table?
Jason, you're a great big boy,
Come, & set aside that toy,
Please help papa when you're able!

Girls, you BOTH can't wear that dress!
And look!--Your hair is still a mess!
Mmmm! Can you smell the pancakes bakin'?
Oh, please do what I ask you to,
And help poor Jamie find his shoe,
Before he feels forsaken!

I guess we just forgot to pray
The Lord to help us start this day!
No wonder things are topsy-turvy!
Jesus, please unite our hearts,
Give each of us a brand new start,
Even though we're so unworthy!

We're coming, Honey, on our way!
It's going to be a real good day,
Thanks so much for waiting for us!
Praise the Lord! Now, let's sit down,
And share this feast!--Oh look around,
A banquet's spread before us!

Kids, you really touch our hearts,
You really play the biggest parts,
And help so much in all we do!
You're special & we need you so,
And we just thought you'd like to know
How much we love each one of you!

O Lord, You've made another day,
And got us started on Your way.
--Thanks for all the kids You've given!
Whatever happens, good or bad,
You'll give us faith & make us glad
For this great life of Love we're livin'!

237. A mother's patience is like a tube of toothpaste--it's never quite all gone.

238.Rejecting things because they are old-fashioned would rule out the sun & the moon--& a mother's love.

239. When the last diploma's granted,
And the race takes its degree,
And the worthwhile things are graven
In the Hall of History;
When the World's great benefactors
Gather at the Master's call,
There will be one more deserving,
One more worthy than them all.
When the deeds of men are measured
And their services are weighed,
And the Master of all masters,
Hands to each his final grade,
Then the warrior, merchant, banker,
Each shall take his separate place
'Round about a central figure,
The most honoured of our race.
Then the ones who fought for power
And the ones who strove for wealth
Will discover that the greatest
Was the one who offered self;
Then the teacher, true & faithful,
Will be greeted from the Throne
By the greatest of all Teachers;
"Ye shall reap as ye have sown!"
--Riley Scott

240. A Sunday school teacher
I don't know his name,
A wonderful preacher
Who never found fame.
So faithful, so earnest
When I was a boy--
He stuck to his task
Though I tried to annoy.
He never was missing
In cold or in heat,
A smile his face lighted
The moment we'd meet.
He taught by example
As well as by word,
this splendid old teacher
Who honoured his Lord,
He helped my young life
More than ever he knew
Later years I remembered
And tried to be true.
I suppose he has gone now
To join Heaven's ranks
May it be good fortune,
Someday to say, thanks.
--Will H. Houghton

241. During a blistering hot day, a family was entertaining guests for dinner. When all were seated, the man of the house turned to his six-year-old son & asked him to say the blessing.
"But daddy, I don't know what to say," he protested.
"Oh, just say what you've heard me say," the mother chimed in.
Obediently, he bowed his little head & said, "Oh, Lord, why did I invite these people here on a hot day like this!"

242. Agostino d' Antonio, a sculptor of Florence, Italy, wrought diligently but unsuccessfully on a large piece of marble. "I can do nothing with it," he finally said. Other sculptors, too, worked with the piece of marble, but they, too, gave up the task. The stone was discarded. It lay on a rubbish heap for forty years.
Out strolling one day, Michelangelo saw the stone & the latent possibilities in it. It was brought to his studio. He began to work on it. Ultimately, his vision & work were crowned with success. From that seemingly worthless stone was carved one of the World's masterpieces of sculpture--"David"!

243. Throughout the ages no nation has ever had a better friend than the mother who taught her children to pray.

244. One way to curb juvenile delinquency is to take the parents off the streets at night.

245. Let's stop criticising the younger generation. If we can't keep up with them we can at least get behind them.

246. Through Rochester, N.Y. runs the Genessee River, between steep & crooked banks. One occasion, a gentleman, who lived in the city, had just arrived by train from a journey. He was anxious to go home & meet his wife & children. He was hurrying along the streets, with a bright vision of home in his mind when he saw on the bank of the river a lot of excited men. "What is the matter?" he shouted. They replied, "A boy's in the water!" "Why don't you save him?" he asked.
In a moment, throwing down his carpet-bag & pulling off his coat, he jumped into the stream, grasped the boy in the arms, struggled with him to the shore, & as he wiped the water from his dripping face & brushed back his hair, he exclaimed, "Heaven, it is my boy!" He had plunged in for the boy of somebody else & saved his own.

247. A boy's mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute he gets up, & never stops until he gets to school.

248. I once attended a convention in Atlanta, Ga., & heard a speaker tell this true story in illustration of her address on stewardship. A woman in the congregation to which the speaker belonged took her two small children one Saturday afternoon to a matinee to see Maude Adams in Peter Pan. The tickets were priced at "2.50 each . The children saw their mother open her purse, take out seven one dollar bills, pile them on the shelf, put a 50 cent piece on the pile of bills, push all under the window, take the three little pieces of cardboard & lead them into the theater to their seats. The next day she took her little daughter to church with her. When the offering was taken, the child saw her mother open her purse, take out a quarter, & put it on the plate as it passed them. As the organ played the soft, religious music, the little daughter looked up into her mother's face, & said in a clear stage whisper which everyone around them could hear, "Mother! Church comes a heap cheaper than matinees, doesn't it?"

249. A young father was pushing a baby buggy down the street. He seemed to be unruffled by the bawling of the baby & softly said, "Easy, Albert! Control yourself! Keep calm!" The baby bawled more loudly. "Now, now, Albert, keep your temper!" the father went on. A mother, passing by, said, "I must congratulate you on your self-control. You surely know how to speak to a baby--calmly & gently!" She patted the crying baby on the head, & asked soothingly, "What's wrong, Albert?" "No, no!" exclaimed the father, "the baby's name is Johnny. I'm Albert!"

250.To keep a small boy out of the cookie jar, lock it & hide the key under a cake of soap.

251. Some years ago in a manufacturing town of Scotland a young lady applied to the superintendent of a Sunday school for a class. At his suggestions she gathered a class of poor boys. The superintendent told them to come to his house during the week & he would get them each a new suit of clothes. They came, & each was nicely fitted out.
The worst & most unpromising boy in the class was a lad named Bob. After two or three Sundays he was missing & the teacher went out to hunt him up. She found that his new clothes were torn & dirty, but she invited him back to the school, & he came. The superintendent gave him a second new suit, but, after attending once or twice, Bob was again absent. Once again she sought him out, only to find that the second suit had gone the way of the first.
"I am utterly discouraged with Bob," she said, when she reported the case to the superintendent, "& I must give him up."
"Please don't do that," the superintendent replied. "I can't but hope there is something good in Bob. Try him once more. I'll give him a third suit if he'll promise to attend regularly."
Bob did promise, & received his third new suit. He attended regularly after that, & became interested in the school. He became an earnest & persevering seeker after Jesus, & found Him. He joined the church. He was made a teacher. He studied for the ministry. The end of the story is that this discouraging boy--forlorn, ragged, runaway Bob--became Robert Morrison, the great missionary to China who translated the Bible into the Chinese language, & by so doing, opened the kingdom of heaven to the teeming millions of that vast country.

252. One of the advantages of being young is that you don't let common sense get in the way of doing things everybody else knows are impossible.

253. People who wonder where this generation is headed will do well to consider where it came from.

254. One father was complaining in the presence of another father of the fact that his son was costing him so much. He had to have money for clothes, books, carfare, lunch, etc. It was a burden.
The other father remarked, "My son does not cost me a dollar. I wish I could spend something on him."
"Why doesn't your son cost you?"
"Because," replied the second father, "we lost him a few months ago."

255. A minister who was walking along a road saw a crowd of boys surrounding a dog. "What are you doing with the dog?" asked the kindly minister.
"Whoever tells the biggest lie, he wins the dog."
"Oh, my, my, my," exclaimed the minister, "when I was a little boy like you here I never told a lie."
There was a moment's silence. "Here," said one of the little fellows, "you win the dog."

256. A small boy observed his mother put a penny on the offering plate at the morning service. On the way home from church, she freely criticized the poor sermon they had heard. "But, Mother," said the boy, "what could you expect for a penny?"

257. It was a dark, stormy night, & a little child, lost in the streets of the city, was crying in distress. A policeman, gathering from the child's statement enough to locate the home, gave directions after this manner: "Just go down this street half a mile, turn & cross the big iron bridge, then turn to your right & follow the river down a little way, & you'll see then where you are." The poor child only half comprehending, chilled by the wind, & bewildered by the storm, was turning about blindly, when another voice spoke & said in a kindly tone, "Just come with me." The little hand was clasped in a stronger one, & the corner of a warm cloak was thrown over the shoulders of the shivering child. The way home was made easy. The first one had told the way; this one condescends to be the way.

258. At a certain period in the life of every youth, he wonders how such dull parents produced such a bright child.

259. A small child was taken to a cathedral. She sat watching the sunshine through the windows. She asked her mother, "What are these people on the windows?" "They are saints," was the answer. Then the child said, "Now I know what saints are. They are people who let the light shine through."

260. Martin Luther warned, "I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be the great gates to Hell, unless they diligently labour to explain the Holy Scriptures & to engrave them upon the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution where they are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.

261. The teacher was trying to impress on the children how important had been the discovery of the law of gravitation. "Sir Isaac Newton was sitting on the ground, looking at the tree," she said, "an apple fell on his head, & from that he discovered gravitation. Just think, children," she added enthusiastically, "isn't that wonderful?"
The inevitable small boy replied, "Yes, an' if he had been settin' in school lookin' at his books, he wouldn't never have discovered nothin'!"

262. "Nobody likes me at school," said the son. "The teachers don't, & the kids don't. The superintendent wants to transfer me, the bus driver hates me, & the custodians have it in for me, I don't want to go."
"You have to go," insisted the mother. "You're healthy. You have a lot to learn. You've got something to offer others. You are a leader. Besides, you are 49 years old. You're the principal, & you have to go to school."

263. Mary had a little cold, but wouldn't stay at home,
And everywhere that Mary went, the cold was sure to roam.
It wandered into Molly's eyes & filled them full of tears;
It jumped from there to Bobby's nose, & thence to Jimmie's ears.
It painted Anna's throat bright red, & swelled poor Jennie's head.
Dora had a fever, & a cough put Jack to bed.
The moral of this little tale is very quickly said--
Mary could have saved great pain with just one day in bed!

264. When the small daughter of the distinguished sculptress, Sally James Farnum, was asked which child was her mother's favourite, the little girl, according to Francis Newton in "This Week", promptly replied: "She loves Jimmy best because he's the oldest; & she loves Johnny best because he's the youngest; & she loves me best because I'm the only girl!" It would be difficult to find anything which could more lucidly explain God's all-enveloping love for His children. No matter to what heights you have risen or to what depths you have fallen, God loves you best because of some characteristic personal quality which, while it may not be apparent to your fellow men, is known & cherished by your Heavenly Father.

265. A small child's world is a wonderful place,
Filled with God's Love, & adorned with His Grace.

There, so much faith & trust can be found,
No voices of doubt dare utter a sound.

No thought's taken, nor cares for the way,
As they romp hand in hand in childish play.

With joy in their hearts, their spirits are light.
They see so much good, that the bad takes to flight.

They quickly forget the harm that's been done,
And give tender pardon when they've suffered wrong.

Their love can't be quenched, whatever you do,
For they love without doubting that you love them too!

They're God's little spirits sent down from Above,
To help me & guide me in pathways of Love!

I watch them & marvel, feel helpless at best,
To equal their pureness, partake of their zest.

I look on with envy, but feel there's no way,
To be part of their world, oh, try though I may!

But then my sweet children take my hand in theirs,
And somewhere within me, my childhood stirs.

And then as I follow these little ones' lead,
I'm freed from life's cares & learn faith's simple creed.

They love me no matter if I'm out of sorts,
And share with me dreams to which children resort.

My world now, too, is a wonderful place,
Since He's filled it with children who show me His grace.

266. Psychologists tell us that it is detrimental to be an orphan; a disadvantage to be the only child; crushing to be the middle child; & taxing to be the oldest child. Obviously, the only way out of the dilemma is to be born an adult!

267. The class had been reading the story of Moses. Afterward one boy asked, "Did Moses have the same after-dinner illness my pa's got?"
Puzzled the teacher asked him what he meant.
"Well," he said, "it says here the Lord gave Moses two tablets."

268. God lent him to me for my very own,
Let me become his father, me alone!
Gave him to me not for an hour--for years!
('Tis gratefulness gleams in my eyes, not tears.)
No joy that fathers know but it was mine,
And fathering that laddie strong & fine.

Time after time I said: 'Tis but a dream;
I shall wake to find things only seem
Grand as they are.' Yet still he lingered on
Till year on sweeter year had come & gone.
My heart is filled forever with a song,
Because God let me have my lad so long.

He was my own until I full knew
And never could forget how deep & true
A father's love for his own son may be.
It drew me nearer God Himself; for He
Has loved His Son. (These are but grateful tears--
That he was with me all those happy years!)
--Strickland Gililan

269. Teenagers haven't changed very much. They still grow up, leave home, & get married. The big difference is that today they don't always do it in that order.

270.He built a house; time laid it in the dust;
He wrote a book, its title now forgot;
He ruled a city, but his name is not
On any table graven, or where rust
Can gather from disuse, or marble bust.
He took a child from out a wretched cot,
Who on the state dishonor might have brought,
And reared him to be the Christian's hope & trust.
The boy, to manhood grown, became a light
To many souls, & preached for human need
The wondrous love of the Omnipotent.
The work has multiplied like stars at night
When darkness deepens; every noble deed
Lasts longer than a granite monument.
--Ray M. Johnson

271. Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?

I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I know
How faint they flicker & how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.

I teach them POWER to will & do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through & through.

I teach them LOVE for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.

Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
--Leslie Pinckney Hill

272. Those dear, little feet that pattered upstairs
Each day at the set of sun,
Are pattering now the golden streets
With life's short journey done.

And the chubby, pink hands that clasped each night
On the breast of my darling child;
and the dear little lips, that lisped in prayer;
And the innocent eyes that smiled:

These are my treasures laid up on high--
With Christ--in that blest retreat,
How sweet shall sound when I enter Heav'n
The patter of little feet.
--M. J. Scott

273. I really had a battle all day long, but my High School kids finally got to where they respected me & appreciated me & some of them even cried when I left! The worst boy in the outfit was handsome, smart & rich & I had more trouble with him than anybody & I had to keep him in for lunch or for recess, & that was as hard on me as it was on him! I gave him so many lectures & Bible verses to learn! And when I was leaving the school he came up & handed me a gift, crying that I was leaving. "On our most uncomely parts we do bestow the most care." (1Cor.12:23) He was the worst troublemaker of all & I spent the most time with him & took the most trouble with him but he knew I loved him, I prayed with him so often!--DB

274. Admitting one's own mistakes--even when one hasn't corrected them--can help convince somebody to change his behaviour. This was illustrated by Clarence Zerhusen of Timonium, Maryland, when he discovered his fifteen-year-old son was experimenting with cigarettes.
"Naturally, I didn't want David to smoke," Mr. Zerhusen told us, "but his mother & I smoked cigarettes; we were giving him a bad example all the time. I explained to Dave how I started smoking at about his age & how the nicotine had gotten the best of me & not it was nearly impossible for me to stop. I reminded him how irritating my cough was & how he had been after me to give up cigarettes not many years before.
"I didn't exhort him to stop or make threats or warn him about their dangers. All I did was point out how I was hooked on cigarettes & what it had meant to me.
"He thought about it for awhile & decided he wouldn't smoke until he had graduated from high school. As the years went by David never did start smoking & has no intention of ever doing so.
"As a result of that conversation I made the decision to stop smoking cigarettes myself, & with the support of my family, I have succeeded."
A good leader follows this principle: Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.

275. Happy is the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast:
When one their wish, one their prayer.
And one their heavenly rest.

Happy the home where Jesus' name
Is sweet to every ear;
Where children early lisp His fame
And parents hold Him dear.

Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise;
Where parents love the sacred Word,
And live for the heavenly prize.

Lord, let us in our homes agree,
This blessed home to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reign.

276. The ceaseless round of little things
Which every dawning brings--
'Tis this, which makes my sum of care
'Tis this, I pray for strength to bear.
Lord, help me through it all to see
How much my duties bring to me.

These never ending tasks I face
Which sometimes seem so commonplace,
The beds I make to make again,
The little windows splashed with rain,
The floors I sweep, the chairs I dust,--
All these I do because I must.

The little garments I repair
And make them fit once more to wear,
The meals I get, the rows and rows
Of dishes every woman knows;
'Tis these, dear Lord, that make me doubt
And fear they'll wear my patience out.

Lord, keep my vision sweet and clear
When irksome days grow dark and drear;
Still let me see their eyes aglow
With love that shall be mine to know;
Help me to sing each morning through,
Because such tasks are mine to do.
For them I sew, for them I bake,
For them these endless pains I take;
Help me to see in all I touch
The little hearts I love so much,
And understand ('tis all I ask)
The meaning of each little task.
-Edgar A. Guest

277. A fatal accident, involving the lives of four young people, took place upon one of the nation's highways. The evidence that the liquor was the culprit was found in the broken whisky bottles among the debris and mangled bodies of the four youthful victims. The father of one of the girls in frenzied anguish over the untimely death of his beautiful daughter threatened to kill the one who had provided the four young people with liquor, but upon going to the cupboard where he kept his supply of choice beverages, he found a note in his daughter's hand-writing, "Dad, we're taking along some of your good liquor--I know you won't mind."

278. A boy, 12 years old, was the important witness in a law suit, one of the lawyers, after cross-questioning him severely, said, "Your father has been telling You how to testify, hasn't he?" "Yes," said the boy. "Now," said the lawyer, "just tell us how your father told you to testify." "Well!" said the boy modestly, "Father told me the lawyers would try to tangle me in my testimony; but if I would just be careful & tell the truth, I could tell the same thing every time."

279. "If we knew the little fingers
Pressed against the window pane,
Would be cold & quiet tomorrow,
Never trouble us again,--
Would the bright eyes of our darling
Catch the frown upon our brow?
Would the prints of rosy fingers
Vex us then, as they do now?

"Ah, those little lifeless fingers--
How they point our memories back
To the hasty words & actions
Strewn along our backward track!
How those little hands remind us,
As in snowy grace they lie,
Not to scatter thorns, but roses,
For our reaping by & by."
--R.T. Cross

280. A father, reading his Sunday paper & wishing not to be disturbed by his little girl, cut up a map of the World, gave it to her, & told her to put it together. After awhile she returned with it & every piece was in its place. The father was very much surprised & said: "Why, how did you do it, darling? You don't know anything about geography." The little one replied, "There was a picture of Jesus on the other side, & I knew when I had Jesus in the right place, the whole World would be all right!"

281. Voice over the phone: "I sent my little son, James, to your store for five pounds of apples, & i find on weighing them that you sent only four & a quarter pounds." The Grocer: "Madam, my scales are regularly inspected & are correct. Have you weighed your little boy?"

282. "Joseph was the boy who never had a cold neck," the boy told his mother when she quizzed him about the Sunday school lesson. "How do you know that?" mother asked. "Because," replied the lad, "Joseph had a coat of many collars."

283. a boy once asked, "Dad, how do wars begin?" "Well, take the First World War," said his father. "That got started when Germany invaded Belgium." Immediately his wife interrupted him. "Tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was murdered." The husband drew himself up with an air of superiority & snapped back, "Are you answering the question or am I?"
Turning her back upon him in a huff, the wife walked out of the room & slammed the door as hard as she could. When the dishes stopped rattling in the cupboard, an uneasy silence followed, broken at length by the son. "Daddy, you don't have to tell me how wars begin; I know now!"

284. A man went to steal corn from his neighbor's field. He took his little boy with him to keep a lookout, so as to give warning in case anyone should come along. Before commencing he looked all around, first one way & then the other. Not seeing any person, he was just about to fill his bag, when his son cried out, "Father, there is one way you haven't looked yet!" The father supposed that someone was coming, & asked his son which way he meant. He answered, "You forgot to look up!" The father, conscience-stricken, took his boy by the hand, & hurried home without the corn which he had designed to take.

285. The new minister was a bachelor, & when he helped himself to the biscuits for the third time he looked across the table at the hostess' small daughter. She was staring at him with round eyes. "I don't often have such a good supper as this, my dear," he told her. "We don't either," said the little girl. "I'm glad you came!"

286. An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold & gray,
To a chasm vast & deep & wide,
Through which was flowing a raging tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow-pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You've crossed the chasm deep & wide.
Why build you this bridge at eventide?"
the builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm which has been as naught to me,
To that fair haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

287. Down in Jackson, Mississippi, three boys arrived in school late. It was as late as 10:00 a.m. They had been fishing. For their excuse they stated that they were delayed because of a flat tire. The teacher decided to give them a test immediately, so she had them seated apart from one another. She said, "This test will have only one question, & I will give you thirty seconds to put down your answer." The question was, "Which tire?"
The teacher was pretty sharp. There is no question as to the result of the test. The boys were shown to be liars.

288. On an occasion when the teacher let the children "draw" the Bible story they had heard, one little boy drew the picture of an airplane with a pilot in the front seat. The passengers were a man, woman & baby. When asked to tell about his picture, he said, "This is Pontius the pilot taking Mary & Joseph & Baby Jesus on a flight out of Egypt."

289. Mrs. Brown was shocked to learn that Junior had told a lie. Taking the youngster aside for a heart-to-heart talk, she graphically explained the consequences of falsehood.
"A tall black man with red fiery eyes & two sharp horns grabs little boys who tell lies & carries them off at night. He takes them to Mars where they have to work in a dark canyon for fifty years! Now," she concluded, satisfied, "you won't tell a lie again, will you, dear?"
"No, Mom," replied Junior gravely. "You tell better ones."

290. My Lord, I do not ask to stand
As king or prince of high degree;
I only pray that hand in hand
A child & I may come to Thee.

To teach a tender voice to pray,
Two childish eyes Thy face to see,
Two feet to guide in Thy straight way--
This fervently I ask of Thee.

O grant Thy patience to impart
Thy holy law, Thy words of truth;
Give, Lord, Thy grace that my whole heart
May overflow with love for youth.

As step by step we tread the way,
Trusting, & confident, & free--
A child & I, day by day,
Find sweet companionship with Thee.

291. A little five-year-old girl had been attending the church kindergarten. Each day before the children were dismissed, the teacher had them sing the Doxology, which the little five-year-old loved to sing, but in her own words: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures, here we go!"

292. A kindergarten-age lad was deeply grieved because his tiger cat had just died. His mother helped the boy put the cat in a box & bury it. Some weeks later the lad came running into the house excitedly, urging his mother to go outside with him & look up into the tree. Looking down at the boy & his mother was a tiger cat a little larger than the one that had died, but marked the same way. "There he is, Mommy," the boy said. "See? I planted Tiger & he just growed up!"

293. Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless Thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Watch my sleep till morning light.

All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast cloth'd & warm'd & fed me;
Listen to my evening prayer.

Let my sins be all forgiven!
Bless the friends I love so well!
Take me, when I die, to Heaven;
Happy, there with Thee to dwell.
--Mary Lundi Duncan

294. I could know
Wonders wild
If I could grow
Up to a child.

It is no myth
That a child can unfence
Paradise with
Its innocence.

An eager child
Will breathlessly push
Through jungles wild
In a backyard bush.

It will begin
Exploring for new
Edens in
Each drop of dew.

A man has not
Child's gift for this
Being what
It really is.

A child leaps free
From what it seems:
A child can be
The thing it dreams.
--Louse Ginsberg

295. Praise does wonders for a child's hearing.

296. Mark Twain was a distinguished-looking figure in his later years. One day he was strolling in the park when a little girl pattered up to him & asked if she could walk with him. Highly flattered, Twain told her stories for an hour, then gave her a nickel & said, "Now run along home--& when you grow up you can tell your friends you once walked with Mark Twain." "Mark Twain!" echoed the little girl, bursting into tears. "I thought you were Buffalo Bill!"

297. "How much do babies cost?" said he
The other night upon my knee;
And then I said; "They cost a lot;
A lot of watching by a cot,
A lot of sleepless hours & care,
A lot of heart-ache & despair,
A lot of fear & trying dread,
And sometimes many tears are shed
In payment for our babies small,
But everyone is worth it all.

"For babies people have to pay
A heavy price from day to day--
There is no way to get one cheap.
Why, sometimes when they're fast asleep
You have to get up in the night
And go & see that they're all right.
But what they cost in constant care
And worry, does not half compare
With what they bring of joy & bliss--
You'd pay much more for just a kiss.

298. There are three children in my family. If they were to confront a spider web in the garden, each would react differently. The first child would examine the web & wonder how the spider wove it. The second would worry a great deal about where the spider was at that particular moment. And the third would exclaim, "Oh, look! A trampoline!" One reality, three dimensions.

299. A college student in his four years does not make proportionately a fraction of the progress the well-trained infant does in his first two years.

300. I thought myself, indeed secure
So fast the door, so firm the lock;
But, lo! he toddling comes to lure
My parent each with timorous knock.

Who knows but in eternity
I, like a truant child, shall wait
The glories of a life to be,
Beyond the Heavenly Father's gate?

And will that Heavenly Father heed
The truant's supplicating cry,
As at the outer door I plead,
"'Tis I, O Father! only I?"

My heart were stone could it withstand
The sweetness of my baby's plea--
That timorous, baby knocking &
"Please let me in--it's only me."

I threw aside the unfinished book,
Regardless of its tempting charms,
And, opening wide the door, I took
My laughing darling in my arms.