AN OPENING ADDRESS FOR A SUNDAY-SCHOOL EXHIBITION. (For a boy of twelve or thirteen.) First impressions are everything, they say; and so they have put me on to speak first. I can't think of much to say, though. It's the way in which I say it that's everything with me, as with some other folks. Let's see-they told me to say that you're all welcome. Do you understand that? Well, I'll add to that, that the better you behave, the more welcome you'll be. We young folks have been disturbed before now by the old folks whispering and nestling round in their seats, and fussing with their finery. I hope I shall see nothing of that sort to-night. Children! you are a special police force to keep order at this Sunday-School Exhibition. I'll tell you how to do it. Just set the old folks an example. They'll be glad enough to follow it. They always follow us children. Didn't my mother follow me, when she found me in the pantry with a piece of mince-pie in my hand? I think she did! (With appropriate gesture.) And, little folks, just speak up loud and prompt, when you speak your pieces and recite your verses. What's the use of talking, if you can't be heard? or if you talk a minute too late? If you mind what I say, old folks and children (and of course you will,) I've no doubt we shall have the best exhibition of the season. We always do, you know. A CLOSING ADDRESS FOR A SUNDAY-SCHOOL EXHIBITION. (For a boy of twelve or thirteen.) "First impressions are everything," said the boy who spoke first; but, really, last impressions are a good deal more important, and the Superintendent understood that, when he kept his best wine till the last. He wants me to say that we're all very much obliged to you for coming here, and for your kind appreciation of our efforts to please; and I want to say for myself, (for I'm tired and sleepy) Good-night. AN APPEAL FOR BENEFICENCE. (For a small boy.) The boy that spoke first to-night said you were all welcome. I shan't take it back. You are welcome. You're welcome to see and hear; but you're just twice as welcome to give. We love to look at you, and we're willing you should look at us. We're glad to have you hear us; but we want to hear you. You haven't any speeches ready? All right! We don't want to hear those. We can make those ourselves as you've seen. What we do want to hear is the rustling of Greenbacks and the clinking of Silver, as the ushers pass the boxes round. That's a kind of music that we appreciate, for it gets us our librarybooks, our papers, our banners, and everything else that a Sunday-School needs; and then its |