The old dame's lantern, and the light in his breast by which Joseph saw, were Instinct; which, if we could but keep it undimmed by the dust of earth, would always light our pathway.
And the fairy bread is Kindness, which alone can comfort the poor and sorrowful. They may use what we give in charity, and still be poor and sad; but an act of kindness makes them feel that they too are children of the same great God, and are therefore happy and rich, though they must walk about for a little while in rags.
For they remember how, like us, they have a glorious home awaiting them in the city whose streets are gold; and then it doesn't seem so hard that they have less than we of the poor gold of earth.
The spectacles are Wisdom, which shows us all things as they are, not as they seem—which we may learn, like Daisy, from insects, trees, and clouds, or, easier still, from words that the wise have written.
Believe me, this wisdom, which may seem but a tedious thing, will show any of you as wonderful visions as those I have told you about.
So, when your lessons are hard, and you long to play, and wonder what's the use in books, think, "They are Daisy's wondrous spectacles, that change our dull earth into fairy land."
Wearing these, you need never be lonely or afraid, but will feel God's strong and loving arm around you in the dreariest place. The sun will seem his watchful eye, the wind his breath, the flowers his messages. You will know that all good and lovely things are gifts from him.
And you will not forget that the fairy, Life, is still on earth, and, if we ask her, will lead us all to the wonderful city which Daisy saw far up above the pines—where you, too, may be good and peaceful, like the rest, and wear a crown of lilies and a robe of light.
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & COMPANY
PUBLISH
PEEP AT "NUMBER FIVE;"
Or, A CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF A CITY PASTOR.
BY H. TRUSTA,
Author of "The Sunny Side," &c., &c.
Twenty-fifth Thousand.
THE TELLTALE;
Or, HOME SECRETS TOLD BY OLD TRAVELLERS.
BY H. TRUSTA,
Author of "Peep at Number Five," "Sunny Side," &c., &c.
Tenth Thousand.
THE "LAST LEAF FROM SUNNY SIDE;"
By H. TRUSTA,
Author of "Peep at Number Five," "Telltale," &c., &c.
Thirteenth Thousand.
FATHER BRIGHTHOPES;
Or, AN OLD CLERGYMAN'S VACATION.
By PAUL CREYTON.
Uniform with "Peep at Number Five," "Last Leaf," &c.
HEARTS AND FACES;
Or, HOME LIFE UNVEILED.
By PAUL CREYTON,
Author of "Father Brighthopes," &c.
Uniform with the above.