Ella Clinton

left school, she thought she would like to teach, but aunt Prudence said, "No, there is no need of your teaching

ight at all; and sometimes she would not explain how she wished a thing done, and then, after it was finished, she scolded because it was not done exactly her way. All this was very trying, and Ella had much need to pray for patience, and not only to pray, but to watch to keep her quick tempe

a brother of hers, who had lately lost his wife. A few days before she left, sh

o sorry you are going

er occasion of the kind. Ah, I cannot call you little Ellie n

ss Layton's remark, "I am not despairing, for t

Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.' How consoling when disappointed in the affection of earthly friends,-saddened by their estrangement, their absence, or their death-oh, how sweet to turn to that love that knows no change; to thi

ery much indeed. How many sweet talks we have had t

reful to depart from iniquity, remembering that the world around you will judge of religion by the influence it has upon your life and conduct. There can be no such thing as an idle Christian; we are commanded to 'walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time,'-to 'work while it is called to-day, because the night cometh, when no man can work.' Then strive ever to be about your Master's business, use every talent in the service o

ent, labour,

spent that

ur Saviour

r him would

brance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.' Remember, my dear young friends, that this is not your rest, this world is not your home. You are strangers and pilgrims who seek a better country, even an heavenly, having no more interest in this world, than a traveller feels in the country through which he is passing, to reach his home; then be careful tha

se in which they lived, with a few acres of ground around it. Miss Prudence, who had always looked upon poverty as disgraceful, was very

ll both have to do now. I shall move away to some other place, however, for I'm not going to stay here to be talked

ends, but as her aunt did not consult her at al

o lose all now, when I'm beginning to grow old. You don't seem to take it m

God says, 'Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure;' and if you are growing old, aunt, I am young and strong, and can work for us both; and thanks to you, I have a good education that qualifies me to teach, and

, Ella; you've no idea of the evi

h not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,'

use, and Miss Prudence took in sewing. Ella had brought a letter of introduction from her pastor in S-- to Mr. Thomas, the minister, whose preaching she and her aunt now attended; and as soon as they were settled, she called and p

ld tell her of any suitable room, and if he thought she could find

as such a school as she proposed teaching was very much needed in the town; adding that he would go with her now, if she liked, to see about the room, and to call on two or three families that he thought wou

all, and several promised to send their children if she should open a schoo

s won't always look so bright. You will find enough to damp your spirits even bef

smiling. Miss Prudence only replied by a shake of the head, and the

y to collect a good school. She determined to follow his advice, and as soon as her morning work was done up, she put on her things, and st

ildren, or only those that were too young to send, and some preferred se

en she found herself in front of a large house

must be rich and able to send their children, if

her into a handsomely furnished parlor, where she sat waiting, what seemed to her a very long time. At las

e, in a timid voice, "and I called to

bout starting a school! Yes, I have three I'd l

little ones, and for others

t much for her, and Howard only spells in two or three letters, and Jane is just beginning geography. You oughtn't to charge so much for little ones, for you know w

id Ella, "and don't you think it is worth something

encing, and nobody expects to make anything the first year in any business. You can't expect to have many scholars at first, because

e to furnish my room, and pay my rent, and very soon I will have to buy fuel. And if I am to have b

en say so; but I've told you what I'm willing to give for my children, and I sha'n't pay

dering what sh

?" said Mrs. Wiley, "I want

ching them for almost nothing, and we need money sadly; but then anything is better than nothing. Yes, ma'am," she said aloud, "I will

our labour at first, for, as I told you before, pe

nter the next house. She was very young, and this was her first trial of the world. But she remembered that she was in the path of duty, and sending up a silent prayer for strength and assistance, she opened the gate, walked

on, who is about openin

'am," sa

my children to the public school; they get into so much

ame reply she h

them. I have four large enough to go, and I shall send them all, if you will take them. I hope they'll behave themselves, but if they don't, you must either corre

to send three, but is not willing

they are very close, and never pay more for anything than they are obliged to. But you ought not to have taken them so

t as they were the first that had offered to-day, and I

you looked quite down-hearted when you came in, but you must not get discouraged; there are some mean people here as well as everywhere

e very kind," said

I think we can all afford to give

another, that she wished me to be very strict with hers. One thinks that they should play nearly all the time, and another, that they should have scarcely any play at all. One says I must never strike her child; she will never send him where there is any whip

use your own judgment about it. It would be impossible to plea

and I know he will, for he says, 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth no

nk you can

feel very much so, were it not for the promise I just repeat

a text for everything! You are just like your mother for that

use they are so sweet and

er; must she do that? She shrank at the thought of doing so before so many young persons, some of whom were older than herself. "But I ought to do it," said she to herself. "'In all thy ways acknowledge him;' yes, I ought to do it, and whatever I ought to do I can do. But I know there are many teachers who do not,-perhaps, after all, it is not necessary. It would be a great cross to me to do it. I will pray for my scholars at home

n, mischievous, or impertinent. Sometimes they came late, or stayed away altogether, until they were far behind their classes; and there seemed to be no end to their carelessness, and forgetfulness concerning books, inks, pens, pencils, &c. &c. Then at the end of the term she found it both difficult and disagreeable to collect her dues. And these were not all her trials. She was separated from her dear Christian friends, Miss Layton, a

is blessed word and call each promise hers! How sweet was the sense of pardoned sin-how sw

t was found in writing to, and receiving