"God will help you if you ask him in the right way, and if you watch yourselves," said Mrs. Payson. "If we wished to be happy ourselves we must do something to make others so; and even little children can do much good if they try."
"When we are trying to make others happy," said Joshua, "we shall have good thoughts."
"A little verse which you repeat," said Mrs. Payson, "says truly that
'Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.'
Now I wish to hear what you, my children, have to do before Christmas."
"We must get our gifts ready for the tree," said Rebecca.
"And we must learn our lessons, every day," said Joshua.
"And I must learn all my letters, so papa will give me a rocking-horse," said little Newton.
"That is all right," said Mrs. Payson; "but have you not something more to do?"
"O, yes!" said Joshua, "we are to ride to town and invite our visitors to come and have a nice time with us in the holidays."