A BEAM


BOOKS AS COMPANIONS. 


THE books we read may be regarded as our companions. These are not always as carefully chosen as they should be. If it is true that we "are known by the company we keep," we should feel as badly to be found in company with a book whose reputation is questionable, as if it were a person. "Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners." You cannot let a man whose life is corrupt, pour the thoughts of his heart into your mind, through his writings, without being injured by it. Be careful, then, in your selection; for books, says one;" are men on paper." Keep the company of good books.

 GEO. B. STARR.






BE HUMBLE.


Do not have too high an opinion of your own abilities. Humility is a rare and priceless virtue. Dr. Franklin once received a useful lesson from Dr. Cotton Mather which is thus related in a letter written by Franklin to the son of Dr. Mather:

"The last time I saw your father was in 1724. On taking my leave he showed me a shorter way out of the house by a narrow passage which was crossed by a beam overhead. We were still talking as I with drew, he accompanying me behind and I turning toward him, when he said hastily 

'Stoop, stoop!' I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam.  He was a man who never missed an opportunity of giving instruction, and upon this said to me,' You are young, and have he world before you. Learn to stoop as you go through it, and you will avoid many hard thumps.' This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads 100 high."  Humility is becoming, alike to old and young. At this time, especially, when children wish to be noticed and praised, 

those children who wish to be truly loved: by God and men will be very modest in their opinions of themselves. God says that he resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble; so if we wish the grace and favor of God, we shall seek to be truly humble and meek in spirit.





VESTA  J. OLSEN.