"OH, I FORGOT!" 



I HAVE a little girl whose great fault is forgetting. She forgets to hang up her dresses; 

she forgets to put strings in her shoes; she forgets where she left her mittens, or the scissors, or her thimble; she forgets to do her errands; she forgets to come home when she is told to come; yet she always seems sorry when I talk to her, and means, I think, to improve; but she does not. Every week, if it finds her no worse, does not find her better.

In other respects, Maggie is a good child. She is neither fretful nor ill-tempered. She is an industrious little girl, and speaks the truth. But all these fine qualities are almost spoiled by forgetfulness. It leads to much disorder, as you may suppose.

I could not for a long time think how she could forget so. I have found out now the Bible told me. God says in it, "My son, forget not my law, but let thy heart keep 

my commandments." Now, I see Maggie does not use her heart in this matter. She wishes to mind me, but wishes are not strong enough. Maggie means and intends to mind; but intentions are not strong enough they easily break. Meaning to do right is never enough. Children will not improve if they do nothing but mean to. 

Nor will fear do it, nor hearing, nor knowing. What will, then? God knew when he said, "Let thy heart keep my commandments;" for what we love to do, we do. 

Poor Maggie, alas! Has no heart in it, therefore she forgets and disobeys. And many and many a mother is grieving over this same fault in her dear child; and perhaps many a poor child is grieving for it too. My dear child, I can only tell you to beg of God to give you that "new heart" which the Bible tells of, filled with the spirit of humble, faithful love, That will remember. 



Select