HOW BETTY WAS LOST AND FOUND. father where I was; I did not know. I could'nt find my grandma's." Then the man blew his horn three short, loud, glad blasts, which told the good news far and near. Tongue cannot tell what gratitude filled the hearts of those who heard it. The women cried for joy. Men who were still in the search left off, and quickly turned their steps towards the Fletcher's cottage. Mrs. Fletcher, at the first blast of the horn, ran in the direction whence it came. And who can describe the mother's feelings when she clasped her darling child once more to her bosom? She could only sob and say, "Thank God, thank God!" How came Betty to lose her way? the children will want to know. She ran into the woods after a squirrel, and could not find the path again. Were they not a happy family that morning-father, mother, and all the neighbours? Never was there such rejoicing; and they did not forget to praise God. This will help us understand how happy our heavenly Father is when we are found. Found? Are we lost? The Bible says so. When we stray away from the right way we are lost. Jesus searches for us. He came on purpose to seek and to save the lost. He came to find us, and to bring us back to our dear A FATHER'S LOVE. heavenly Father; and he cries, "Come, come unto me." With sorry and sad hearts let us turn from our sins, and run into the arms of our Saviour. That makes joy in heaven. Yes, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." You see then what makes the angels glad. A FATHER'S LOVE. A FATHER'S love-O yes! there is A child's-a brother's-sister's-this Not all their bosoms' warmest glow, Now when upon the Mother's heart And mutual glances joy impart In either parent's eye, What pride his manly bosom moves, A FATHER'S LOVE. And when the prattling infant speaks Some tender word is the reply, This is a Father's love. How blest his thoughts, when on his knee The little scholar learns; He fancies what the man shall be, Those sparks set all his soul in flame, Behold the boy through childhood speed, He bears his name in all his prayers, If ever he doth pray; Nor rids him of paternal care, In life's declining day. A FATHER'S LOVE. A thousand friends have flitted past, GOD, who is Love, his love displays To prove 'tis not a transient blaze, But here earth's loves all fade away, Like twinkling stars in heaven's bright dayThis is a Father's love. That Father taught by heavenly truth, Nor leave my steps to stray,"- A Father's love-O yes! there is To watch his child-to press-to kiss- As that which doth divinely glow, And long eternity shall show, Like this, a Father's love. |