THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE.



I HAVE just been reading about a little orphan girl, whom a kind Christian lady found in poverty and destitution, and took to her own home. The little stranger did not feel at home, at first; and the children of the house could not persuade her to leave the hall and come into the parlor.

Said the lady, "There is a way by which you can bring her in where you like it is a secret in four letters." The children   began to search among their playthings, and the eldest sister said, "I know what it is, it is, d-o-l-l!" But the trial proved a failure; it did not bring her in. The next in age thought that as muff was spelled with four letters, it might accomplish their object, so she made the little orphan a present of a muff. But the child would scarcely notice the muff.

At length little Grace, the youngest of the three sisters, who had been looking on, when she could not think of anything more to offer, went and sat down beside the little stranger and cried too, and soon took her by the hand, put her arm around her neck and imprinted a kiss upon her cheek. 

Nothing was said, but little Grace soon led her captive into the parlor.

"Well, girls," said their mother, "Grace has found out the secret, and the four letters are,

l-o-v-e."

We are indebted to Kind Words for this simple narrative, and to the sacred word of God, from whence this principle is first taught. There is a great power in this influence of love when practiced in the family, the school, and the church. When we can extend feelings of sympathy toward those who need such help, it may be a means of their salvation. Jesus loved us, and gave his life for a world of sinners. 

And shall we not love and try to help those for whom Christ died?




A. P. VAN HORN.