GERTRUDE MASON.
Reading edition
“Come, children, come! God bids you come! Come and learn to sing the story Of the Lord of life and glory; Come, children, come!”
Mrs. Brown.
Gertrude Mason was a sweet little girl of about ten summers, with rosy cheeks, and bright, sunny hair.
She did not live in the city, like a great many children, but she lived at a quiet little cottage in the country, which she called “Rose Neath.”
Gertrude was a good child.
She loved everybody, and everybody seemed to love her.
She was meek and gentle, and was always willing to do any thing she could to minister to the wants of the poor and needy.
Gertrude had a beautiful Newfoundland dog, named Rescue, and wherever she went, her friend Rescue was always at her side. She loved him very much, and used to give him part of her meals every day. One lovely Sabbath morning, when the sun was shining brightly, and the little birds singing sweetly from the boughs of the trees, Gertrude, dressed neatly and tidily, hymn-book and catechism in hand, started off for the Sabbath-school.
She had not gone very far, when she came to a creek.
Thrown across this creek was a log, on which persons were in the habit of crossing.
It had rained the night before, and the log was very slippery. Gertrude did not think of this, and was about crossing over, when her foot slipped, and she was thrown headlong into the swollen current.
She would have been drowned, had it not been for her faithful friend Rescue, who swam in and brought her safely to the shore.
Thus was the life of this lovely girl saved by her affectionate dog.
This little story should teach us two lessons.
First, if we wish persons to love us, we must be kind and attentive to them.
Secondly, the pathway of life is very slippery, and many of our companions fall into very great sins, and it is our duty, like Rescue, to save them from destruction.
“REMEMBER THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH.”
While in the tender years of youth, In nature’s smiling bloom, Ere age arrive and trembling wait Its summons to the tomb, Remember thy creator, God, For Him thy powers employ; Make Him thy fear, thy love, thy hope, Thy confidence, thy joy. He shall defend and guide thy course Through life’s uncertain sea, Till thou art landed on the shore Of blest eternity. Then seek the Lord betimes, and choose The path of heavenly truth: The earth affords no lovlier sight Than a religious youth.
Gibbons.