A Touching Reply

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1861

A TOUCHING REPLY.—People are very apt to think and talk a great deal more about their afflictions than about their mercies; about what they have lost than what is still left to them. A minister, visiting the house of a widow, said to her little son, "My dear, you have no father now." The little fellow gave the following touching reply:

"No, I haven't got any father," and the tears began to start from his large blue eyes; "but," he added, with a smiling countenance, "I have got a mother though, and I've got a James and a William, and a 'Lizabeth and a Hannah," referring to his surviving parent, and brothers and sisters. Would, says the minister, that other children, and men and women also, were as reasonable and thoughtful as this little boy; and when some of their blessings were removed, would turn their grateful attention to remaining blessings innumerable which may still be enjoyed!