Many things in this beautiful world He has made
To look quite as pretty as you;
So please, Mr. Peacock, don’t feel quite so proud,
As your gay, brilliant plumage we view!
MINNIE’S FAITHFULNESS
“Brother, may I unpack your trunk?” said little Minnie Bell.
“O yes, my dear; how glad I am to get home safe and well;
I’ve been in California for more than three long years,
But I’m safely home at last, in spite of mother’s fears.”
“Yes, Alfred, it has seemed, to dear mamma and me,
A long, long time, and we are glad your happy face to see;
Morning and evening, do you know? when we knelt down to pray,
Mamma has asked, that God would bless and guard you while away.
“And God has kindly heard her prayer, and kept you safe and well.”
She worked awhile,—at length, she said, “Dear Alfred, please to tell
Where you have put your Bible? I’ve unpacked the trunk with care,
And I have laid upon the bed most all the clothes you wear.
“I’ve looked at every article, and yet I have not seen
A Bible or a Testament; brother, what can it mean?
I fear that you have been without a Bible all the way;
Is it in California, or have you lost it,—say?”
“You little chatter-box, do see the presents I have brought;
This for mamma, and that for you; Why! really I had thought
The beautiful new dress I bought would please my sister well;
How do you like this India fan, I ask you, Minnie Bell?”
“O, it is very beautiful! I thank you, Alfred, dear;
But yet you have not told me, what most I wish to hear.”
“Well, Minnie,” said her brother, “if really you must know,
When I sailed for California my Bible did not go.
“I know ’twas wrong to leave it out, for never have I seen
A Bible or a Testament in any place I’ve been;
We did not often think of God when we were digging gold;
That is the truth; now, Minnie dear, pray don’t begin to scold.”
“Forgotten God for three long years! Alfred, can this be true?
Dear brother, were you not afraid of God’s forgetting you?”
He took the dear child in his arms, and bursting into tears,
“My conduct has been wrong,” he said, “how sinful it appears!”