p. 125 | Childhood

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1884

Childhood.

THE qualities which are the most attractive in childhood are not by any means the most valuable in maturity. We look for determination, will, decision of character, firmness in the man, and refuse him our respect if he have them not. But, when the child exhibits these qualities, even in their incipient stages, we are annoyed, and perhaps repulsed. Instead of rejoicing in his strength of will and guiding it into right channels, we lament it as a grievous fault in him and a misfortune to us. It is the meek and yielding child who cares not to decide anything for himself in whom we delight, and whose feeble will we make still feebler by denying it all exercise. Yet, when he grows up and enters the world and yields to temptation, and perhaps disgraces himself and family, we look at him in wonder that so good a child should have turned out to be so bad a man, when, in truth, his course has been only the natural outcome of his past life and training.—Arthur's Home Magazine.

THE largest bell in the world is in the temple of Clars, in Kiota, Japan. Unlike the great bells in Pekin and Moscow it is whole, and its tone is as perfect and as sweet as when first suspended. Where and by whom it was cast is not known. Chinese and Sanscrit characters completely cover it; but they are not translatable by Japanese scholars. It is twenty-four feet high and sixteen inches thick at the rim. It has no clapper, but is struck by a sort of wooden battering ram on the outside.

ANY duty neglected prepares us for a new disobedience—any sin committed paves the way for fresh transgressions.