den was choked up with stones and nettles; * the stone wall which surrounded it was broken down; ripe fruit was dropping on the ground from the few trees which it contained, and the man seemed as if he would not endure the trouble of putting his hand out to gather it up.†

1

"That man,'

"said the messenger, "is called a sluggard; he sleepeth and slumbereth when he should be up and stirring-or, he sitteth or lieth where now thou seest him lie, folding his hands. He will not work, to earn what he wanteth, and therefore, what he HATH goeth fast to decay, and he is oft in need even of a bit of bread: but look now down upon the earth at his feet, and tell me what thou seest."

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"I see," replied the child, a nest of little ants, and they are all hurrying backwards and forwards; some are loaded with

* Prov. xxiv., v. 30, 31, 32.

+ Prov., xix. v. 24.

grains of seed as large as themselves:—it is wonderful to mark their work; I have noted it oft before; they keep their house with all its many rooms, and halls, and passages in a beautiful order: though they be but dwellings of dust, yet have they built them with beauty and with regularity, and I mark that if but a grain of sand fall from one of those little arches, they make haste to fill its place."

"It is as thou hast said," replied the teacher, "and, by thus labouring diligently, while the sun of summer shines, they prepare food for themselves, which they lay by in store, and provide a warm shelter from winter's wind. Yea, and when the winter cometh, they shall have plenty in their habitations; and they shall fear neither storms, nor frost, and shall rejoice in the fruit of their labours; but, yonder wretched man, who refuseth to labour, is already in want of

all things. He hath neither food nor warmth in his dwelling, and when the winter cometh he must either perish or beg from door to door!"

"What saith thy book here?" asked the child of his heavenly teacher-"Thus saith it,” she replied," If any will not work, neither shall he eat. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise."* Then said the little child," Can one so young as I be a sluggard?" "Thou couldest," answered the Teacher." As I walk among the abodes of men, mine eye weepeth often over the sluggard children; they will neither work nor play; they seem to look upon their taskbut their thoughts sleep; they sit stupid and learn not; they go forth with their playfellows in the hour of sport, but they sport not; they throw the ball, and are too slothful to pick it up; they begin to frame the kite, and they

* Prov. vi., v. 6, 7, 8.

leave their work unfinished; they will endure no toil, and, while their play-mates leap and run, they draw one foot after the other as slowly as the slow tortoise. Such children have no joy; their minds learn not; their bodies grow not in strength; their books and their toys decay unused—and none gives to them anew, such pleasant gifts as are the reward of the children of diligence. But thou, my little one, shalt not be numbered among the sluggards-'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,'* whether it be work or of play; for so hath He commanded us, whose child thou art."

The Teacher then led the child a little further, and showed him another man, who was labouring hard in a little field, with a wellthatched cottage in sight. Three or four boys and girls, with rosy cheeks and in neat clothes, came out of the cottage, and brought the

* Eccl. ix., v. 10.

man some bread and some meat in a basket, and called him "Father," and smiled at him. The man then threw down his spade, and he took the bread and meat and began to eat them in haste; but, while he ate, he did not smile upon the children. He looked very sadly on them—and he had a frown upon his brow, as if some bitter thought spoilt his pleasant food.

"This man," said the Teacher; "is not a sluggard; he worketh for his food and his clothes, and, for the food and the clothes of his children; and they have all good clothing and food enough, to-day; but, he is sad because he is afraid that they will not always have clothes and food enough; he is full of thought and care about to-morrow. He does not trust in

God, that He will send

him what he wants

in future days, as he has done in the days that are past."

"Is this man good?" asked the little child.