Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

since it would be wholly absurd to introduce solemn Christian doctrines into fairy-tales; on this account such tales should be very sparingly used, it being extremely difficult, if not impossible, from the reason I have specified, to render them generally useful. I do not, however," added she, "always prohibit fairy-tales, my dear child but when you next have occasion to read to your companions, apply to me and I will endeavour to furnish you with some story of a superior tendency to the common run of amusing tales.

Miss Jenny thanked Mrs. Teachum for her instructions and kind indulgence; and promising to give her an exact account of their daily amusements, she took leave, and retired to rest.

Saturday,

The second Day.

ON Miss Jenny's meeting her companions in the morning after school in the beloved arbour, she asked them how they liked the history of the princess Rosalinda.

They all declared that they thought it a very pretty and diverting story.

Miss Jenny then repeated to them the greater part of the conversation which had passed between herself and her governess the evening before, and endeavoured to impress upon their minds this awful truth, namely, that no human being can do well without divine assistance; and that consequently, whatever statements of a different description they might chance to find in fairy-tales, or poems, or heathen histories, should be considered as absolute misrepresentations, because mankind being naturally vile and depraved, cannot possibly do well without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

The little Misses all looked very grave on hearing what Miss Jenny said; and Miss Sukey Jennett answered, "Indeed, Miss Jenny, all these things are so new to us, that we cannot understand them on a sudden."

"But we hope that you will understand these things in time, my dear friend," replied Miss Jen"and to this end we must pray that God will

ny;

give you wisdom from above, even that divine wisdom, whose price is far above rubies." Miss Jenny then took a little Bible out of her work-bag, and read this verse- -The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. ii. 14.)

The little girls then began to discuss different parts of the story of Rosalinda: and Miss Sukey Jennett said, "I am most pleased with that part of the story where the mirror falls to pieces, and where Rosalinda sees her own figure come forward. How surprised," said Miss Sukey," she must have been! and how little did she think of the tyranny she was about to endure !"

66

66

we none

Why," replied Miss Jenny Peace, of us consider what a tyrant Self is, when it gets the upper hand; otherwise I am sure that we should be more earnest in prayer to be delivered from this enemy, which is indeed more to be feared than any other, because it is not an out-of-doors enemy, but one that is always at home." Miss Jenny then proceeded to point out the many evil passions which spring from selfishness: how it leads persons to seek their own gratification at the expense of all around them-to take offence at the slightest affront-and to indulge a desire of revenge as often as they fancy themselves slighted. "Selfish people," said Miss Jenny, “must always be miserable."

Here Miss Sukey interrupted Miss Jenny, acknowledging that she herself had experienced the truth of that observation through all the former

[ocr errors]

part of her life for that she never had known either true pleasure or peace till within the last few days, when Miss Jenny and Mrs. Teachum had led her to seek for divine assistance to conquer her evil and selfish passions, and to subdue that desire which she had generally felt, of revenging herself on those who appeared not to entertain that good opinion of her to which she imagined herself entitled.

Miss Jenny then asked Miss Sukey, if she were willing to take the lead among her companions in favouring them with a relation of her past life?

She answered, she would do it with all her heart; and having so many and great faults to confess, she hoped she should at least benefit her companions by setting them an example of honesty and ingenuousness.

The Description of Miss Sukey Jennett.

MISS SUKEY JENNETT, who was next in age to Miss Jenny Peace, was not quite fourteen years old, but so very tall of her age, that she very nearly approached the stature of Miss Jenny Peace; though by growing so fast, she was much thinner. Her face was naturally handsome, and her complexion fine but with all this, there was something about her which destroyed entirely the effect of her beauty, insomuch that whoever looked upon her felt distaste rather than admiration. Of which this was the cause-having from early infancy accustomed herself to give way to all her evil passions till they had at length become uncontrollable, her impatience on the least contradiction, even

from her superiors, brought such a fierceness into her eyes, which were large and dark, and gave such a degree of discomposure to her whole countenance, as instantly to excite the disapprobation of all beholders. Her general manner too was haughty, and her carriage full of self-confidence; than which nothing can be more highly unbecoming a sinful creature. But to do Miss Sukey Jennett justice, her eyes, since she had been led to seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit, had lost a great part of their fierceness; and now, with an endeavour to appear mild and obliging, she began to tell her story.

The Life of Miss Sukey Jennett.

"My own mamma died when I was so young that I cannot remember her, and my papa married again within half a year of her death. My new mamma took little notice of me, but gave up most of her time to visiting the neighbouring families, and to other amusements.

"We lived in a large old country-house; and the room which was appropriated to me was divided from the rest of the family by a long passage or gallery. There I was left year after year under the care of an old servant that had lived many years in the family. I was a great favourite with her, and was, in consequence, allowed my own way in every thing. When I was but four years old, if any thing crossed me, I was taught to beat it by way of revenge, even though it could not feel. If I fell down and hurt myself, the very ground was to be beaten for hurting the sweet

« EdellinenJatka »