NOTE TO THE PUBLIC

This is the same book formerly known as "Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle," the subject matter remaining unchanged.

We believe all who read this book will heartily accord with us in our desire to see it placed in every home in the land, and will do their part toward this good end.

The stories and poems it contains cover nearly all phases of life's experiences. Each one presents lessons which can but tend to make the reader better and nobler.

This decidedly valuable and interesting work now enters upon its sixth edition, one hundred thirty thousand copies, with the demand rapidly increasing.

Many have joined us in canvassing for it, and it has proved to be not only a noble work and a service to the people, but it brings good financial returns. Many students have worked their way through school by using their vacations in this work.

The publisher's name and address is on the title page, and he will see that all orders are promptly and carefully filled, and all letters of inquiry cheerfully answered. Address nearest office.

Believing that the "Choice Readings for the Home Circle" will be appreciated by all lovers of the true and beautiful, and that the book will make for itself not only a place, but a warm welcome, in thousands of homes during the coming year, it is cheerfully and prayerfully sent on its mission by

The Publisher.

Contents

Affecting Scene in a Saloon[388]
A Good Lesson Spoiled[192]
A Kind Word[67]
A Life Lesson[178]
A Mountain Prayer-meeting[144]
An Instructive Anecdote[214]
Another Commandment[71]
A Retired Merchant[90]
A Rift in the Cloud[286]
Be Just Before Generous[99]
Benevolent Society[199]
Bread Upon the Waters[280]
Caught in the Quicksand[112]
Christ Our Refuge[47]
Company Manners[36]
Effect of Novel Reading[95]
Evening Prayer[342]
Every Heart Has Its Own Sorrow[324]
Grandmother's Room[230]
Hard Times Conquered[185]
Herrings for Nothing[275]
How It Was Blotted Out[166]
Live Within Your Means[127]
Look to Your Thoughts[397]
Lyman Dean's Testimonials[251]
Make It Plain[83]
"My House" and "Our House"[138]
Nellie Alton's Mother[393]
Never Indorse[170]
Only a Husk[151]
Out of the Wrong Pocket[131]
Over the Crossing[304]
Put Yourself in My Place[312]
Richest Man in the Parish[296]
Ruined at Home[157]
Speak to Strangers[360]
Story of School Life[221]
Success if the Reward of Perseverance[291]
Susie's Prayer[32]
The Belle of the Ballroom[40]
The Fence Story[310]
The Happy New Year[346]
The Indian's Revenge[11]
The Infidel Captain[319]
The Little Sisters[368]
The Major's Cigar[363]
The Premium[58]
The Record[25]
The Right Decision[29]
The Scripture Quilt[354]
The Ten Commandments[81]
The Widow's Christmas[374]
The Young Musician[244]
Tom's Trial[50]
Unforgotten Words[263]
With a Will, Joe[385]
"What Shall It Profit?"[115]
Why He Didn't Smoke[217]

Poems

A Christian Life[89]
Alone[341]
An Infinite Giver[137]
Believe and Trust[39]
Consolation[111]
Did You Ever Think?[279]
Do With Your Might[387]
Forgive and Forget[318]
Good-Bye—God Bless You![165]
Life That Lasts[213]
Loving Words[362]
Mother[28]
"Once Again"[114]
Our Neighbors[66]
Our Record[373]
Reaping[216]
Song of the Rye[156]
Stop and Look Around![309]
The Dark First[130]
The Father Is Near[285]
The Lord's Prayer[342]
The Master's Hand[49]
The Shadow of the Cross[46]
The Way to Overcome[169]
To-Day's Furrow[98]
Walking With God[303]
Watch Your Words[177]
What Counts[57]
What to Mind[367]
Your Call[274]

List of Illustrations

Home, Sweet Home[Frontispiece]
While He Slept His Enemy Came and Sowed Tares Among the Wheat[44]
Christ Blessing Little Children[76]
Christ the Good Shepherd[124]
Paul at Athens[172]
Pure Religion Is Visiting the Fatherless and Widows in Their Affliction[207]
Grandmother's Room[240]
Come Unto Me[278]
Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha[300]
He Is Not Here; He Is Risen[336]
God Be Merciful to Me a Sinner[354]
Announcement to Shepherds[376]

Pledges

Against the use of Liquor and Tobacco[391]
THE SABBATH
Sabbaths, like way-marks, cheer the pilgrim's path,
His progress mark, and keep his rest in view.
In life's bleak winter, they are pleasant days,
Short foretaste of the long, long spring to come.
To every new-born soul, each hallowed morn
Seems like the first, when everything was new.
Time seems an angel come afresh from heaven,
His pinions shedding fragrance as he flies,
And his bright hour-glass running sands of gold.
—Carlos Wilcox.