RICH BOTH WAYS.
ONE day I was sitting in a large meeting of people who had come together to promote a pious object. A father and his little girl sat near me.
She was a bright looking, curly-haired girl, about nine years old, and seemed much interested in all about her.
"O father," I heard her say, "there's Carrie Morton!" and she looked in his face with an arch and knowing smile. "Oh, she's so good!" she continued;" she's rich both ways."
What could the child mean? I wished to know. Her father seemed also in doubt what kind of riches she had in mind as belonging to Carrie, and I listened for the answer when he asked, "How is that, Katie? What do you mean by being 'rich both ways'?"
"Why, father, she has nice clothes, and her parents have plenty of money and live in a large house; so she's rich one way. And the girls at school all love her, for she is always so gentle and kind; so she is rich in another way."
Her father smiled, and so did I; but the proceedings of the meeting now began, and the conversation ended.
I have among my young friends some who are poor, that is, if their wealth were counted in money; others who are comfortably well off, as we say, having a good supply of the necessary things of this life; and others who are rich, whose fathers own costly houses, who can ride in a carriage when they will, and whose clothes are very fine. And since I overheard Katie's talk about Carrie Morton, I have thought it would be well to remind all these dear children that, although none of them may be "rich both ways," except those who have a great deal of money, yet they all may be rich in one way. Can you tell how?
Did you ever hear of any one's being rich in hope, faith, and love? Carrie Morton was rich in kind words and acts, else her little friend would not have spoken of her as she did; and I hope she was also rich in that love of Jesus which makes the poor child richer than a king, if crown and kingdom are his all.
Would you not rather be rich in the love of those who know you, and, most of all, in the love of God, than rich in money, and poor in all the rest? Dear children, if God has given you a home where your every wish is gratified, remember that at last you must give an account to him for such a home; and ask him to make you rich both ways, rich in the love of Jesus and in the hope of Heaven. But, if you are not rich in clothes and money, remember that a meek and quiet spirit, and a loving, trusting heart, are ornaments more precious than diamonds and pearls; for while the diamonds and pearls of this world must be left here at last to perish, these you shall wear in Heaven. Remember that, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, you can become like a sunbeam, a source of joy in your home, wherever it may be; and you can all the time be laying up treasures in that brighter home, where your Heavenly Father will keep them safe till he calls you to enjoy them with him forever.
Children's Friend.
IT was a very good reply made by a little girl to a statement she heard made that our Saviour was never seen to smile. "Didn't he say, 'Suffer little children to come unto me'? And they would not have come unless he had smiled."