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VoL. LI BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, MAY 21, 1903 No. 20 • t4 the home folks ? " I stood by Him, the great willing to apply himself more diligently. He K• • man, and he gave and gave." And in succeeding was an expert in playing games, both physical and 0 OUR V , tf, 101'6 years, when the lad became a man, what a lesson mental, which showed that he was not deficient ONTRIBUTORS %) "i) • • that was to him ! He might be poor, his education in these respects. The father and mother, espe- might be deficient, but to stand by the Master cially the mother, wanted the boy to have " a good The Lad with the Loaves meant power without measure. chance in life ; " so the harness of responsibility THERE were boys without number in Galilee, Other young men missed that blessing because was not often adjusted. James was as successful and many no doubt who sold bread to help sup- they did not know the opportune moment when it in slipping his head and hands out as a young port their families; but of all the boys with was to be obtained. " Too little, I have too little colt trained to tricks. An invitation to replenish barley loaves, only one happened to be near the to be of any use in such a multitude," said other the wood-box or water-pail usually met with an Great Teacher when he had need of loaves and lads. But the lowliest gift, if nothing more than audible demur. fishes. five loaves and two small fishes, when given to Charlie Faithful's father died when he, the A great multitude had followed Christ across the Master, will feed thousands. But we eldest of three children, was very young. The the sea of Galilee. They hung on his words, and should not lose sight of the fact that the loaves mother was not strong, and after the father's watched for signs of his power to heal. The were brought to Jesus before they were used to death, her health continually failed under the Saviour felt their spiritual need, and he felt also feed the hungry people. It took the touch of the added load. Nobly did Charlie stand at his their physical hunger. He al- mother's right hand in those dark ways knows both, the one as well days. " Mother," said he, " I as the other. can't do as father did; but I will Turning to one of the disciples, help you all I can, and we can he said, " Philip, where shall we keep together, and bring up the buy bread that the company may children, I am sure." It is won- eat ? " He knew a lad was stand- derful what a twelve-year-old boy ing near with basket in hand, but can do in a garden, and also in he wanted to see if Philip had His Tender Mercies disposing of produce when it is thought or had seen the way to raised. The mother's b r a i n meet the emergency. " I do not His tender mercies are over us all, counted for more than the weak, know," said Philip. " We are On the just and the unjust his rain dolt fall, though more than willing hands. where no bread can be bought, On the good and the evil his sun doth shine, Never knight in glittering armor and besides, we have no money Child orhis tenderness, canst thou repine? was more loyal in his self-im- to pay for enough bread for this posed labor than Charlie in all great company." He heareth the ravens that, hungering, cry; the minutiae of every-day home- Andrew had listened to the He, pitying, noteth the sparrows that die; helping. " Mother, that is too conversation between Teacher He decker!' the lilies, all snowy and tall: hard for you; let me do it," he and disciple. He, too, had seen His tender mercies are over us all. • would often say, and oftener an- the hungry crowd. More than ticipate the necessities before the that, he had seen, although with anxious hands had essayed the faltering faith, the means of re- His tender mercies are over us all. task. lieving their hunger. Pointing Let nothing affright thee, let nothing appall, The mother regretted, as only to a spot not far distant, he said, Nor earth-tempests fill thee with sudden alarm; mothers can understand, the fact " There is a lad here who has five that for her brave boy there was barley loaves, and two small By no means shall anything bring to thee harm. so little opportunity for educa- fishes." Five little cakes of Eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, tion. But Charlie was fond of bread and two small fishes—how What hath been prepared for the loved of the his books ; and where most boys far would they go among five would have felt that there was thousand hungry people? Lord; " no chance," he found many Jesus motioned to the boy, and His eye is upon us; he lists to our call: moment to add to his capital in he drew near. I can see him His tender mercies are over us all. this direction. with his basket. He had often He enjoyed at the time, but walked the streets with fish for Et/ZABETH ROSSER. never realized until after-years, sale. Now he stood beside the all the mother's wise helpfulness Master. A smile lighted his face in true educational lines. Al- as he held the basket up for in- •••••••161."...••••-- though her opportunities had spection. been limited, she had improved From the basket Jesus took the loaves. A hush Master to increase them. So our efforts to do them, and acquired a vast amount of valuable ma- fell over the seated multitude as he looked unto good, without his blessing, will be weak and in- terial that does not make a display, but the worth heaven and gave thanks. He thanked his Father effectual; but if we first come to him, he can use of which can not be estimated in the making up of that the little boy was there, and that he had even them to feed a hungry world. true men and women. Hers was the rare gift of five loaves and two fishes. He gave thanks also M. BESSIE DE GRAW. a born educator — not only the capacity to awaken that in God's hand what seemed so small to man, thought, and suggest wise direction, but also to was enough for all. stimulate desire, and implant a firm determination Then he broke and scattered the bread, those Two Boys and Their Opportunity to surmount obstacles. The tender, manly boy- five barley loaves the lad had carried in his bas- JAMES HOWARD was well formed by nature, love noticed the failing strength; but youth is ket. And as the child watched, instead of feed- both physically and mentally. His father was a hopeful, and he could not acknowledge to himself ing only a small part, to his utter astonishment steady-going mechanic, who saw that his family the possibility of sparing such a mother, till the it fed them all. And of the fragments there were were supplied with the essentials of life without sad day came when the " silver cord " was gathered twelve baskets full,— at least twelve an anxious thought on their part. At fourteen " loosed," and the " golden bowl broken." times as much as he had in the beginning. James had a fair standing at school, though not Friends came to the rescue to furnish a home Can you imagine that lad as he told the story to so good as he might have had if he had been for the children, especially the one who had 2 THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR MAY 21, 1903 proved so efficient in caring for others as well sent the United States ; and have not failed to to our new environment. We should stand where as for himself. When the younger children were observe that other countries are too insignificant the people stand. We should see the things that provided for, Charles set out to make his own to receive much notice. While the geography has they see, and not make any attempt to compare way. Behind others of his age in graded school affirmed that the world is three fourths water and things with that which we have left behind. It work, in breadth and depth of experience he was on fourth land, we are tolerably well convinced is the height of folly to think that a thing is far in advance of them. Fortified by the excellent that three fourths of the earth is the United right or wrong simply because it is like or unlike principles that had been instilled by a wise States, and that the remaining fourth is divided something with which we have been familiar at mother, he began, nothing daunted, to work and up among the other nations. home. Nothing is more unpleasant to an English- study, study and work, never losing sight of the Undoubtedly the bump of self-esteem is very man (and, unfortunately, there is nothing he has goal he was to reach. He grew so rapidly that well developed in the people of all nationalties. to meet more frequently in Americans) than the his trousers were not always long enough, and Naturally we love- ourselves, our own institutions, habit of introducing contrasts whenever any fea- he was not oblivious to the smiles that followed and our own manners and customs; as Will Carl- ture of scenery, building, or art is pointed out.

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