Light On the Child's Path Part 1

Light On the Child's Path.

by William Allen Bixler.

Our Best Friend

In a log cabin in the mountains lived a little boy. He often played near the house, but did not go far away. Near the house were many trees and rocks and among these wild animals stayed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DOWN BY THE SPRING]

One day the boy missed his mama and thought he would try to find her.

He went down the path toward the spring, where he had often gone after water. He went on and on. Finally he wished to return, but did not know the way. Poor boy, he was lost.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BEST FRIEND WE HAVE IS MOTHER]

He started toward what he thought was home, and walked and walked.

Becoming very tired, he sat down to rest and soon fell asleep.

His mama missed her boy and hunted everywhere for him. Night came on, but she did not give up her search. She hunted and called, but no answer came. She feared the wild beasts would get him, but prayed to G.o.d to protect her child. She hunted all night and in the morning found him safe and still asleep.

The best friend we have on earth is a good mother. She thinks of her children at all times. She loves them and lives for them. She seems to know all about our little cares and trials. When we are willing to help her, it shows that we think of her and love her, too.

Have you ever thought how she toils and cares for you? She works for you every day--gets your meals, breakfast, dinner, and supper; washes and mends your clothes and stockings; and at night makes your pillow nice and soft for you so you can sleep well.

She seems to know just what to do if we happen to get hurt.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A MOTHER LIVES FOR HER CHILDREN]

Mother is watching after her little ones all the day long, and when she puts her hand upon our heads at night as we bow at her knee in prayer, she seems to say, "G.o.d bless and keep my darling child." When she tucks the covers tight about us and sits by our bedside, we think that Mama is the best friend we have. Don't we?

Now I will tell you of another friend. This friend lives in heaven.

His name is G.o.d. We can not see G.o.d, but he looks down from heaven and sees us. He sees everything we do, and hears everything we say. He knows all things.

It was G.o.d who made this earth where we live, and everything that has life. We pray to G.o.d, and he hears us and answers our prayers.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.

Thy love be with me through the night, And bless me with the morning light.

The Good Book

The Bible is a good book. In it we read about G.o.d, and about his making the earth, sun, moon, stars, trees, flowers, rocks, water, birds, fishes, animals, and man.

We read of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman; of their beautiful home, the Garden of Eden; and also of their children and their children's children.

In it there are many, many stories about how G.o.d helped people in times of trial.

We also read about Jesus, the Son of G.o.d, who came down from heaven and died for us, that we might have eternal life.

Good men wrote the Bible long, long ago, and the contents have been kept, until now we all have Bibles. The Bible is called Holy Bible because it is G.o.d's Word, and is a record of G.o.d's work and G.o.d's words.

If we live now as the Bible teaches, after we die we shall receive a crown of life in heaven.

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What G.o.d Made

Our G.o.d is a very great G.o.d. He made all things. He made this earth where we now live.

It seems strange that there was a time, many, many years ago, when this earth was nowhere to be found; but that is so.

When men make things, they must have tools to work with. They have to make things little by little, working at them a long time before they are done.

It was not so with G.o.d when he made this earth. "He spake, and it was done." At first all was dark. He then said, "Let there be light," and it was light. He called the light day, and the darkness he called night. This, the Good Book says, took place on the first day.

On the second day G.o.d made the air we breathe, and in which the birds fly.

On the third day he made the land, sea, and rivers, and the gra.s.s, flowers, and trees.

On the fourth day he made the sun, moon, and stars, to give light to the earth by day and night.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

On the fifth day he made the fish that swim in the water and the birds that fly in the air.

On the sixth day he made all the animals, and at last he made man. He gave them for food the grain of the fields, the fruits of the trees, and the vegetables of the garden.

On the seventh day G.o.d rested "from all the work which he had made."

"And G.o.d saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

In the Garden of Eden

When the Garden of Eden was planted with all the beautiful flowers and trees, G.o.d gave it to Adam for a home. He told him to take good care of it. Adam was glad to work in the garden and use it as he chose; but he had no one to enjoy the things that he enjoyed, no one to help him to be just what G.o.d wished him to be, no one to love.

[Ill.u.s.tration]