was any thing going forward, such as a fight, or a bull-baiting, or any thing that brought the worst people in the country together, Tom was sure to be amongst them. In such scenes, there is always something bad to be learned, and Tom seemed to be learning it all very fast; and he then began to be a great trouble to his parents, who were, indeed, greatly in fault themselves, for they had never attempted to warn him of what was bad, or to lead him to what was good. But the mischiefs and the scrapes that he got into, brought them into a great deal of trouble; and they then began to wish they could do something to ease themselves of the plague which this boy brought upon them. Just at this time, the Clergyman of the parish, and the rest of the respectable inhabitants, consulted together, and they thought, that, if a National School were to be built, it would be an excellent thing for the parish, and would be the means of bringing up many a poor child in the knowledge of those great truths on which the present and eternal happiness of us all depends. It is a great expense to build a school room; but the inhabitants of the parish subscribed their money, and they got assisted by the good people in London, who have made a society, and who give their money for the purpose of building schools, that poor children may be taught what is right, and what will make them happy in this world, and lead them to seek for the happiness of the next. As soon as the village school was built, and Tom's father and mother saw that they could send their boy to school for little or nothing, they let him go directly; and then, instead of wandering about the streets, and doing nothing, Tom mixed with all the industrious boys of the village, and was set to regular work in the school; and he soon found that there was nothing but what he could manage very well, and he seemed to take a great delight in learning to read and to spell, and to write. Tom was not a dull boy, and he got on very fast. His master was much pleased to see the progress he made, and took a great pleasure in teaching him, because he said the boy seemed desirous of learning. Tom was not an ill tempered boy, and he was thankful to the master for what he taught him; and thus he found great pleasure, as well as profit, in going to school. Tom's behaviour and appearance were so changed since he began to go to school, that many of the people of the village hardly knew him. But we may perhaps hear more of him some other day. (To be continued.) HYMN. Praise for Mercies Spiritual and Temporal. I. WHENE'ER I take my walks abroad Not more than others I deserve, III. How many children in the street While I am cloth'd from head to feet, IV. While some poor wretches scarce can tell, V. While others early learn to swear, VI. Are these thy favours, day by day, Then let me love thee more than they, Q. What do you praise God for in this hymn? A. Mercies spiritual and temporal. Q. What do you mean by temporal mercies? A. Those which relate to the body, which will last only for a time. Q. What do you mean by spiritual mercies ? A. Those which relate to the soul, which is eternal. Q. When you walk abroad, what do you often see? A. Many poor people. Q. What ought you to render to God for his mercies to you? A. Thanks. Q. Do you deserve more than others? Q. Has God given you more? Q. What has he given you? Q. Ought you not to be content with these? A. Yes. Q. Prove this from Scripture? A. " 1 Tim. vi. 8. "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content." Q. What has God given you, besides food and raiment? A. A home wherein to dwell, Q. Are these mercies, which you have been speaking of, temporal or spiritual? A. Temporal. |