"Are YOU Angry, Pa?"


IT was the Lord's-day afternoon, and Mr.

Gray had paced the floor until he was wearied

with the endless round. The day of

rest had no holy charms for him; its hours

were always tedious; and now they seemed

doubly so, for the grass had not yet covered

the grave of his loving and loved wife, and

this evening he was very sad and lonely.

The door suddenly opened, and Bessie, his

only child, stood before him. Her lip was

quivering and her bosom swelling with deep

emotion; but she did not speak.

"My child!" exclaimed Mr. Gray, in alarm

"What is the matter? What has happened?"

Bessie was so overcome she could not respond.

Taking her by the hand, Mr. Gray led her

to his arm-chair, and seated her upon his

knee. Supposing it was only some childish

grief, he smoothed her soft curls caressingly

saying: "What has troubled my darling?

Has kitty caught your bird, or dolly fallen

into the fire? Don't cry, tell me what it is.

Dry your eyes, little one see here!" and a

golden coin was slipped into her hand.

"No, no; I don't want any money," said

Bessie, sobbing. " I am not going to Sabbath-

school any more."

"Has any one hurt your feelings, Bessie?

You know you promised your dear mother

you would go. Has any one at the Sabbath-school

said anything to wound you, my darling?"

"No; not there, pa, but here" and she

pointed to the Bible that lay upon her lap.

"How could that innocent book hurt your

feelings, child ?" asked Mr. Gray, with a

smile.

"Because, because" but Bessie stopped.

"Well, because what?"

"O pa, you will be angry, I know you will,"

and Bessie wept again.

"No, my child, I will not. What is it?"

"I was reading in it this evening, and it

said you were a. fool. Just think of its calling

you that, pa!"

"Called me a fool, child?"

"Yes, sir, it did; and I'm not going to read

it another time."

"Called me a fool," repeated Mr. Gray,

slowly. "How can you make that out?"

"It says anybody who says there is no

God, is a fool; and I heard you tell Mr.

Green the other day that there was no God,

so isn't that the same as calling you a fool?

A heavy frown settled upon Mr. Gray's

brow, and pushing Bessie from his knee, he

walked the floor with a rapid step.

"Are you angry, pa?" asked Bessie, softly.

"No, child, no; bring the book here, and

read it to me."

The child read: "The fool hath said in his

heart, There is no God." She paused, exacting

a burst of anger; but his voice only

trembled a little, as he said, "Go on;" and

again the childish voice went on :

"They are corrupt, they have done abominable

works"

"Stop, child!" he exclaimed. "I cannot

bear it. Go, leave me now."

"Are you angry, pa?"

"No, darling, no;" and he stooped and

kissed her. "No, not angry, my precious

one, only waking up. Go now."

The door closed. Swift over the portals of 

Heaven an angel flew, shouting, "Behold, he

prays!" Ah! There was joy among the glittering

throng that night.

Ere another Lord's-day rolled around, a

large gilt Bible lay upon the little stand.

Upon the first blank leaf were traced the

words, "The fool hath said in his heart, There

is no God. They are corrupt, they have done

abominable works." It was a strange, but a

loved, inscription. There was no terror now

in the words, no condemnation, for below was

written, " The smile of the Lord is the feast

of my soul." 



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