Winter means all these melancholy things; but it also means something more. It means that the granary of the farmer is full; that his barn is supplied; that there is good and ample store for the beasts that look to man for support, and for man himself. It means, too, that the comfortable fire will be kindled, around which the family will assemble, and where, secure from the bitter blast without, there will still be peace, comfort, and content. It means, too, that there is such a thing as poverty, shivering, without fire, without food—perhaps, without sufficient shelter; and it means that charity should seek and save those who are suffering in such a condition.
And winter means something more than all this: it means, by its examples of decay and death, to teach us that we, too, must pass away; and that it is well for us to make preparation for the great event. Winter also brings us to the end of the year, and suggests a serious self-inquiry, and self-examination. It would ask us if the last year has been one of profit or loss? Are we better, and wiser, than when it began? Are we more kind, more just, more patient, more faithful, more fond of truth?—Summer is the season for the harvest of the field; winter is the season for the moral harvest of the heart. Let it not pass with any of us as a barren and unproductive season, in which we neither sow nor reap the fruits of wisdom and peace.
The Hand.
Every limb and member of the body is made for some good purpose.
The eye is made to see with; the ear is made to hear with; the nose is made to smell with; the mouth is made to eat and speak with.
The feet are made to run and walk with; the hands are made to work with, to write with, and to do many other things.
But do you think children’s hands were ever made to strike their brothers, or sisters, or playmates? Were your little hands ever made to snatch away things from each other?
Who gave you hands? God gave them. Did he give you hands to steal with? Did God give you hands that you might throw stones at geese, or dogs, or hens, or cows, or any other innocent animals?
Did God give you hands to injure or wound any of the creatures he has made?
Take care of your little hands, then, my children! Take care that the hands God has given, do nothing that God disapproves.