A PLEASANT OCCASION.


AN old gentleman of this place, who loves children, has for a few years past raised a large quantity of water-melons, and when they were ripe he has invited the school-children to come and enjoy the fruit with him. This year my husband and my-self were asked to attend this little festival and address the children. When we arrived at the home of our friend we found there, with our own little daughter who joined them, sixty-four boys and girls, from two adjoining districts.

After the children had all feasted on the delicious fruit, they gathered under the trees, and spent some time in singing. We then talked to them a few moments upon the importance of improving their time, and of forming good habits while young, and invited them to sign a pledge to abstain from alcoholic beverages and from tobacco. 

The teachers, two noble young men, also made a few remarks, encouraging the children to sign the pledge, and then headed the list with their own names. In a short time we obtained forty-seven names.

The joy of the old gentleman who gave the entertainment was very great. He told the children that he had a thousand times regretted the bad habit formed in boyhood, of using that filthy weed, tobacco, and he hoped they would avoid it. He also exhorted them always to deal with one another in love; for as they measured to others, the same would finally be meted out to them.

A daughter of our friend read a short and very interesting essay on tobacco, after which the children gave the old gentleman a standing vote of thanks for the pleasure he had given them. They then formed into line, and with three hearty cheers, started on the march back to the schoolroom.

I hope to meet many of these dear children and youth in the kingdom of God. 

Oh, what a beautiful sight it will be to behold a vast throng of little ones who have loved obedience and righteousness, partaking of the fruit of life's fair tree!




E. S. LANE. 

Fremont Center, Michigan