"Go forth, little book! I to others now leave thee;- If for child the most feeble, should God ever use thee LETTER. MY YOUND FRIEND,— JANUARY 1, 1849. At the suggestion of some children, I present you with a Gift, composed of stories and poetry, similar to that of last year. As it is undoubtedly true that there are few things we recall, in after years, with more pleasure than the recollections of the home of our childhood, most happy shall I be if the presentation of this little book shall, in any degree, add to the pleasant associations of your spiritual home, "the house of God." That it will be pleasant to you hereafter to remember these hymns, I cannot but believe from the fact that several children have repeated those in your former Gifts with much satisfaction, even in their last hours on earth, as did one not long since, whose parents reside in a neighboring village. Just before he died, he took the little book and repeated a hymn, as he had often done before, to his father. It was the last book he held in his hands-the last hymn he repeated on earth. So appropriate did his father deem it, that he caused the first verse to be engraved on his dear boy's tombstone. That the New Year upon which we have entered may prove a happy one with you, is the sincere wish and prayer of Your affectionate TEACHER. |