1 
 
SARAH BELL, 
 
 AND 
 
 FANNY BLAKE. 
 
 IN VERSE. 
 
 SHEWING, HOW EVERY LETTER MAY BE THE 
 MEANS OF PUTTING A GOOD THOUGHT 
 INTO THE MIND OF A CHILD. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 Printed for the Religions Tract Society ; 
 And sold at their Depository, 56, Paternoster- Row 
 also by J. Nisbet, 21, Berners-street, Oxford- 
 street ; and by all Booksellers. 
 
 " Entered at Stationers Hail. 9 
 
3 
 
 SARAH BELL, &c. 
 
 Fart the First. 
 
 Ye children dear, pray all give e^r, 
 If you can spare the time ; 
 
 For you may spend a pleasant hour 
 In listening to my rhyme. 
 
 A tale I tell of Sarah Bell ; 
 
 And wish that you may be, 
 Whoever reads this little book, 
 
 As good a child as she. 
 
 a 2 
 
4 
 
 She was a girl ten years of age, 
 
 And early taught to know, 
 'The fear of God, that she might shun 
 
 The way that sinners go. 
 
 And few, who were not older grown. 
 Could read their book so well ; 
 
 Or went so cheerfully to school 
 As little Sarah Bell. 
 
 One day, she called upon a friend 
 Who wayward was and wild/ 
 
 And never yet had learn'd to read ; 
 She was a froward chil i. 
 
 Yet Sarah thought she might be brought, 
 
 By care and kindness, still, 
 To take to better ways ; and try 
 
 To curb her stubborn will. 
 
 "Well, Fanny! Sunday's drawing near; 
 
 " Nay ! do not look so cool ; 
 "You almost promis'd, as you know, 
 
 "With me to go to school. 
 
 Thus Sarah Bell in kindness spoke, 
 
 But Fanny made reply, 
 " No ! No ! I'd rather stay at home ; 
 
 "I sha'nt go there, not I !" 
 
 " J wish there were no Sunday School ; 
 
 " For what good can there be, 
 " In poring o'er one's book so long, 
 
 " And learning ABC? 
 
5 
 
 " O fie!" said little Sarah Bell, 
 "Dear Fanny ! say not so : 
 
 " Believe me, 'tis a blessed thing 
 " The Book of God to know. 
 
 " But if you now neglect to learn, 
 "Nor on your letters look ; 
 
 "How can you, Fanny, ever hope 
 " To read that holy book ? 
 
 " I would not, if I could, forget 
 " The truths that there are told ; 
 
 "And leave unread my Bible, no ! 
 "Not for a Lag of gold. 
 
 " Besides ! it is so easy too, 
 " When once before us set, 
 
 "The letters lie, all large and plain, 
 " To learn the Alphabet. 
 
 "My teacher said, the other day, 
 
 " That every letter there, 
 "Might point out, to a thinking child, 
 
 " Something to love or fear. 
 
 " And then, she kindly gave a book 
 "That I might read and see, 
 
 "That what she had been speaking of 
 " Was true, as truth could be. 
 
 " I wrapt it up, with care, to read 
 "When I could time allow; 
 
 " And will do so, but, Fann^, stop! 
 " Fll run and fetch it now. 
 
6 
 
 " 1 nave not read a single word ; 
 
 "Tho' once, my Fanny dear, 
 " I peep'd between the leaves, to see 
 
 "The pictures here and there." 
 
 Away then ran the little maid, 
 
 In gay and happy mood : 
 And would you all as happy be, 
 
 O ! try to be as good. 
 
 Soon back again came Sarah Bell, 
 For she had run with speed ; 
 
 And sat her down, upon a chair, 
 The little book to read. 
 
 "Now then, "said she," we'll quickly 
 
 "About the letters all; 
 "Ay, here's an alphabet indeed! 
 
 "The letters fair and tall. 
 
 " I do remember, in a book, 
 
 " That I have long put by, 
 "That great A for an Archer stood; 
 
 "And for an Apple Pie. 
 ' Now Fanny, let that plaything go, 
 
 " And all attention pay, 
 " And I will read it loud and slow : 
 
 u And first here comes great A. 
 
A 
 
 A stands for Adam ; made of dust, 
 
 He trod this earthly ball ; 
 He was the very first of men ? 
 
 And father of us all. 
 
 God plac'd him in a garden fair, 
 
 To live and happy be; 
 But told him not to touch the fruit 
 
 That grew upon one tree. 
 
 Satan the serpent tempted Eve; 
 
 This sinful deed to do, 
 Eve ate the fruit, to Adam gave, 
 
 And Adam ate it too. 
 
 God sent them from that garden fair ; 
 
 His anger fierce did burn ; 
 And angels plac'd, with flaming sword, 
 
 That they might ne'er return. 
 
 I 
 
8 
 
 It was not for the fruit alone 
 That they endur'd the rod, 
 
 But for their grievous sin ; it was 
 For disobeying God. 
 
 O ! let us pray then every day, 
 And night too e'er we sleep, 
 
 For grace, the will of God to do, 
 And his commandments keep. 
 
 B is the Bible, blessed Book! 
 
 That shews the Gospel plan, 
 And, like an angel from above, 
 
 Speaks peace and love to man* 
 
 It tells us how God made the world, 
 
 With every living thing ; 
 And, after death, how sinful man 
 
 fcJ&wUlr^O Ivd&jQGnt bring. 
 
9 
 
 But while its searching truths expose 
 Our secret thoughts to view ; 
 
 It tells, not only of our sin, 
 But of our Saviour too. 
 
 Though far from God, and every good, 
 Our hearts have wander'd wide ; 
 
 It offers peace, and pardon free, 
 Through Jesus crucified, 
 
 O ! may we bind it to our hearts ; 
 
 And read it o'er and o'er, 
 With fervent prayer, that we may sin 
 
 Against our God no more. 
 
 Whene'er I cast my roving eyes 
 
 Upon the letter B ; 
 Thou blessed Book of truth and grace, 
 
 I'll ever think of thee. 
 
 When Sarah first began to read, 
 Her face was light and gay: 
 
 But, as she longer read, her smile 
 To graver looks gave way. 
 
 The solemn words, that she had read, 
 
 Imprest her tender mind ; 
 And all her little heart and soul 
 
 To serious thoughts inclin'd. 
 
 Yet anxious, still, her friend to please, 
 
 She gave a pleasant look, 
 And kindly stopt, awhile, to shew 
 
 The pictures in ^hc 1 ' ^ 
 
10 
 
 € t Do, my dear girl ! attend the while 
 I read the next/' said she, 
 
 " I wonder what the verse will say 
 " About the letter C ?" 
 
 C always is a pleasant sight; 
 
 It speaks of many a rhyme ; 
 Of many a carol, sweetly sung, 
 
 In happy Christmas time. 
 
 It tells of many a childish sport, 
 That I remember well ; 
 
 And scenes of innocence and joy 
 Where memory loves to dw^ell 
 
11 
 
 And brings to mind my many friends ; 
 
 Who us'd to meet with me; 
 O ! we were all as happy then, 
 
 As happy as could be, 
 
 And each had something to impart ; 
 
 Some strange event to name. 
 For there w r ere those, who never met, 
 
 Unless when Christmas came. 
 
 And more than friends, and holiday, 
 
 And vacant hours of mirth ; 
 Christmas should ever bring to mind 
 
 My blest Redeemer's birth. 
 
 And while I raise my heart to him, 
 All other thoughts give way: 
 
 The happiest day in all the year, 
 That must be Christmas Day ! 
 
 Here Sarah stopt a little while, 
 
 That she might best attend, 
 iVnd turn at once to good account, 
 
 The feelings of her friend : 
 
 For Fanny lifted up her head, 
 As she would something say ; 
 
 And Sarah ask'd her, what she thought 
 Of happy Christmas Day. 
 
 u l think," said little Fanny Blake, 
 
 " It may be very good ; 
 " But, T had rather hear by half, 
 
 "The Children in the Wood. 
 
12 
 
 "'That maybe/' Sarah mildly said, 
 " But time, with waving wings, 
 
 "Is flying fast, and we should learn 
 "To think of other things. 
 
 "Come! pay attention; this, to me, 
 
 "Is very pleasant rhyme, 
 "And we, the Children in the Wood 
 
 " Can read another time. 
 
 I look upon the fetter D, 
 
 And quicker draw my breath ; 
 
 For solemn is the thought it brings ; 
 The day and hour of Death. 
 
- 
 
 IS 
 
 However young, fail not to keep 
 
 Thy latter end in view : 
 If aught be certain in thy life, 
 
 Death is as certain too. 
 
 The moments that compose our lives 
 
 Unnotic'd glide away; 
 And tens of thousands of them pass, 
 
 With every passing day. 
 
 But whether joy be in thy heart, 
 Or grief; with all thy power, 
 
 To Him, who gave thee life and hope, 
 Devote thy every hour. 
 
 For he alone, when nature sinks, 
 And fails thy fleeting breath ; 
 
 Can keep thee from the bitter pains 
 Of an eternal Death. 
 
 And He thy mortal hour can cheer ; 
 
 And faith and grace supply ; 
 And take thee to his dwelling place, 
 
 Where thou shalf never die* 
 
14 
 
 Eternity is brought to mind 
 
 By this next letter E : 
 O ! what a vast unbounded thing, 
 
 Eternity must be ! 
 
 There's nothing seen by human eyes ; 
 
 No thought to mortal lent, 
 That can enable him to guess 
 
 Eternity's extent. 
 
15 
 
 The blades of grass; the grains of sand, 
 
 On ocean's brink that lie ; 
 Ten thousand times ten thousand told, 
 
 Are not Eternity. 
 
 Whether it prove a joy or grief, 
 
 Depends on where we go : 
 How blest, if past in happiness ; 
 
 How dreadful — spent in woe. 
 
 Remember, still, at heaven's high throne 
 
 A simple child to bend ; 
 And, thus, put up a prayer to Him 
 
 Who is the sinner's friend : 
 
 " Whate'er in this uncertain world 
 My life, through time, may be ; 
 
 Still let me, O my Saviour ! pass 
 Eternity with thee." 
 
 "That is, indeed, a solemn thought; 
 
 "And O ! how blest to know, 
 " That we, when all our days are past, 
 
 " Shall to our Saviour go." 
 
 So Sarah spoke, and fondly wish'd 
 She might not speak in vain ; 
 
 And then she look'd upon her book, 
 And thus went on again. 
 
1« 
 
 F 
 
 F must remind us of the Flood, 
 
 When waters rose around, 
 And all, except one family, 
 
 Of human kind were drown'd* 
 
 Men liv'd in sin : thus spoke the Lord, 
 " Noah ! thou hast done well ; 
 
 " Now build thyself an ark of wood, 
 u Where thca and thine may dwell. 
 
17 
 
 He heard the voice of God, and built 
 The ark with speed and care ; 
 
 The waters came, and all mankind 
 Then perished in despair. 
 
 But Noah, and his family, 
 Might well the Flood endure ; 
 
 They did what God had bid them do, 
 And thus were all secure. 
 
 Be ours to hear the word of God ; 
 
 To live obedient still, 
 Confiding in a Saviour's love ; 
 
 And swift to do his will. 
 
 That, when the judgment day shall dawn, 
 
 And floods of wrath be given, 
 Our souls with Christ our Lord may dwel^ 
 
 Safe in the ark of heaven. 
 
 B 
 
13 
 
 Remember, ever, while the path 
 
 Of life is humbly trod, 
 G is the letter that begins 
 
 The sacred name of God. 
 
 ! how shall mortals speak of Him, 
 The glorious Lord above, 
 
 The source of light and happiness ; 
 Of wisdom, power and love ? 
 
19 
 
 Greater than all ; and brighter far 
 
 Than the consuming flame ; 
 That God of glory, down from heaven, 
 
 As our Redeemer came. 
 
 O wondrous love ! amazing grace ! 
 
 And did he die for me? 
 Then, let my soul without delay, 
 
 From sin and folly flee. 
 
 With humble reverence would I bend, 
 
 At his eternal throne ; 
 And praise him for redeeming grace, 
 
 And trust in him alone. 
 
 That heaven, at last, my home may be ; 
 
 Where I, when life is o'er, 
 The Father, Son and Spirit blest, 
 
 For ever may adore. 
 
 Here, naughty Fanny rudely yawn'd, 
 
 And turn'd aside her head ; 
 For she was sadly tir'd, to hear 
 
 So many verses read. 
 
 "Well now" said little Sarah Bell, 
 "We'll read no more to-day; 
 
 " For I have many things to do, 
 "And quick must haste away. 
 
 " But, mind me, Fanny ! they that read, 
 
 " Shall never read in vain ; 
 " So let us on the verses think, 
 
 " Until I ccme again/' 
 
 b2 
 
20 
 
 Then lightly tript the lass away, 
 
 With lively pleasant look; 
 And many a happy glance she gave 
 
 Upon her little book. 
 
 And when, before she went to rest. 
 
 At night, she knelt to pray, 
 And offer up her thanks for all 
 
 Ths mercies of the day ; 
 
 With humble voice, and heart sincere, 
 She pray'dthat Fanny Blake 
 
 Blight yet be taught to know the Lord, 
 For her Redeemer's sake. 
 
 END OF FART THE FIRST. 
 
2! 
 
 Part the Second. 
 
 The morrow came, the glorious sun 
 His beams was spreading wide, 
 
 And Sarah Bell and Fanny Blake 
 Were seated, side by side. 
 
 And Sarah, from her handkerchief, 
 With care and caution took, 
 
 Where it was neatly wrapt, once more, 
 The little picture book. 
 
 "Now, Fanny, how far had we read?" 
 
 Said little Sarah Bell; 
 As, lightly, she turned o'er the leaves; 
 
 But Fawny could not tell. 
 
22 
 
 And Sarah still went talking on, 
 
 44 W hy Fanny ! let me see ; 
 If I remember right, my dear, 
 
 44 We read to letter G. 
 
 "Ay ! that we did, for here's the mark : 
 " H, is the next, you krow, 
 
 44 Now, try to understand it well, 
 44 I'll read it very slow." 
 
 H should be known by every child, 
 
 And be remember'd well ; 
 It speaks of joy and sorrow too : 
 
 And stands for Heaven, and Hell. 
 
23 
 
 For Heaven, that scene of light and peace 
 
 The rolling clouds above ; 
 Where God, and holy angels are, 
 
 And everlasting love. 
 
 And for that dismal world below, 
 
 Where sinners ever dwell ; 
 Where woe and darkness always reign 
 
 Th at dreadful place is Hell. 
 
 And must we then, whene'er we die, 
 
 To light or darkness go ? 
 And joyful reign, in Heaven above, 
 
 Or groan in Hell below ? 
 
 O ! let us, while we yet have breath 
 Fly from the burning flame, 
 
 And seek the offered grace of God 
 In our Redeemer's name. 
 
 O Lord, thy mercy we implore, 
 Our souls betimes prepare, 
 
 The dreadful pains of Hell to shun, 
 The joys of Heaven to share. 
 
24 
 
 i 
 
 I is an Idol ; every breast 
 Has idols of its own : 
 
 Sometimes of gold and silver bright; 
 Sometimes of wood and stone. 
 
 And there are idols, sins I mean. 
 Which young and old adore : 
 
 O, God of mercy ! in thy lore, 
 Destroy them evermore. 
 
25 
 
 If there be aught the world contains, 
 Which I love more than Thee ; 
 
 That sinful love, within my heart, 
 Idolatry must be. 
 
 Then take that sinful love away, 
 
 And place thy love within ; 
 And break down every image there, 
 
 That wears the shape of sin. 
 
 O give me, with a contrite mind, 
 
 To bend before thy throne : 
 And offer humble prayer and praise, 
 
 Through Jesus Christ alone. 
 
 Deeply inscribed upon my heart, 
 
 Let thy commandment be ; 
 That there may live within my breast. 
 
 None other God but thee. 
 
 Then Sarah told her little friend, 
 
 There was, across the sea, 
 A wooden idol on a car, 
 
 As ugly as could be. 
 
 And people worshipped it, as though 
 It mov'd with life and breath ; 
 
 And threw themselves beneath its wheels, 
 And there were crush'd to death. 
 
 "Indeed!" said Fanny, staring wide; 
 
 " How foolish they must be, 
 a To do so to a wooden god 
 
 " That cannot hear or see." 
 
25 
 
 They know no better/' Sarah said, 
 That dwell in that strange place : 
 Their's is a god of cruelty, 
 " But ours, a God of grace. " 
 
 Too much, ungratefully, we dwell, 
 Whate'er be our employ, 
 
 Upon the sorrows of the world ; 
 Let J then speak of Joy, 
 
 There is a joy the wicked know ; 
 
 But soon, alas ! they find, 
 It spreads its wings and flies away, 
 
 And sorrow leaves behind. 
 
27 
 
 And there are thousand joys, that God 
 
 In goodness scatters free ; 
 But earthly joys that live to day, 
 
 To-morrow may not be. 
 
 Like flowers, awhile, they sweetly bloom, 
 
 In colours rich and gay : 
 Like flowers they wither in their prime, 
 
 And fall and fade away. 
 
 Still would I, though my joys abound, 
 
 Or earthly sorrows lour; 
 Give all my moments to my God, 
 
 Through every changing hour. 
 
 That when from this expiring frame, 
 
 All earthly joys are driven ; 
 My soul, exuitingly, may soar, 
 
 And find the joys of Heaven. 
 
28 
 
 K leads us on to Knowledge still; 
 
 O may we wiser grow, 
 And ever turn to good account, 
 
 The little that we know ! 
 
 And what is Knowledge? O my God! 
 
 Were human wisdom given ; 
 If I could read the books of earth, 
 
 And count the stars of Heaven : 
 
20 
 
 In all my learning and my pride, 
 
 My folly would be shown, 
 Had I all knowledge of the world, 
 
 If Thou wert still unknown. 
 
 That I may knowledge gain aright, 
 
 Do Thou my teacher be : 
 The entrance unto wisdom's way, 
 
 Is, Lord, the fear of thee. 
 
 And teach me, too, myself to know : 
 While on my heavenly road ; 
 
 I nothing am, and nothing have, 
 Which thou hast not bestow 'd. 
 
 Though worldly knowledge be possessed, 
 
 The heart it cannot fill ; 
 Be mine to know the God of grace, 
 
 And learn to do his will. 
 
L bids me listen to the Lark, 
 
 That, singing, soars on high ; 
 And leaves the world, with fluttering wing 
 
 To carol in the sky. 
 
 How sweet it is, at early dawn, 
 
 The fragrant fields among, 
 To mark his happy heavenward flight, 
 
 And hear his tuneful song. 
 
 • 
 
31 
 
 The rising sun a rapture brings 
 
 That cannot be represt : 
 'Tis joy that tunes his little throat, 
 
 And fills his pan tip % breast. 
 
 And shall the Lark, then, risr. and sin 
 
 F or every blessing given, 
 And I, ungrateful, silent be, 
 
 Nor raise my heart to heaven ? 
 
 O ! rather let the dawn of day 
 Raise all my thoughts above ; 
 
 And witness many a song of praise 
 For all my Saviour's love. 
 
 O may thy Spirit draw my heart 
 Just like the Lark to soar ; 
 
 Then shall my soul with faith and lov< 
 My Lord and God adore. 
 
 Said Fanny, with a smiling face, 
 
 " I like that very well ; 
 " The pretty little Lark !" "And so 
 
 Do X " said Sarah Bell. 
 
 ' How often have I watch'd the Lark 
 " And seen it rise and fall ; 
 Bi$t, Fanny ! let us read the next : 
 " I think I like them all. 
 
M must be Mercy ; grateful sound, 
 
 To those who feel within 
 The sorrows of a broken heart ; 
 
 The sinfulness of sin, 
 
 When guilty man, in deep distress, 
 
 Condemned, was seen to lie ; 
 Twas Mercy fiird the Saviour's breast 
 And brought him from the sky. 
 
 And Mercy fled the world around, 
 And spread the Gospel wide ; 
 
 Our dark, desponding souls to cheer; 
 Our wandering steps to guide. 
 
33 
 
 'Twas Mercy eas'd my troubled heart, 
 And rais'd my thoughts above ; 
 
 And told me peace might yet be found, 
 In my Redeemer's love. 
 
 Through all my joys and trials past, 
 Mercies have marked my way ; 
 
 And still they gather round my path, 
 Where'er my footsteps stray. 
 
 For Mercies manifold and great, 
 
 My God, will I adore; 
 And still for Mercy will I pray, 
 
 Till I can pray no more. 
 
34 
 
 N 
 
 N Nature fair presents to view, 
 Through every changing hour ; 
 
 In flood, and field, and mountain wild, 
 In bird, and beast, and flower. 
 
 Where'er I turn around to gaze 
 
 A thousand' beauties rise, 
 And spread their ever-varied charms, 
 
 In earth, and sea, and skies. 
 
 Whether the Sun be shining bright, 
 Or showers incessant fall ; 
 
 In every change, Almighty God 
 Is seen amidst them ail. 
 
35 
 
 Thus through my life, whate'er betide j 
 
 Obedient to thy will, 
 O may my prayer arise that God 
 
 Would shine around me still. 
 
 Whether with joy my heart be light. 
 
 Or filFd with gloomy fears ; 
 Whether my face be bright with smiles* 
 
 Or stain'd with falling tears. 
 
 In every joy , in every woe, 
 
 Would I my Maker see ; 
 Still all around, and in my heart, 
 
 May God my Saviour be. 
 
 " How should we love," said Sarah Bell, 
 " The God who dwells on high : 
 
 "His hands have form'd the big round world 
 " And made the smallest fly. 
 
 n The Sun and Moon, and twinkling Stars 
 
 c< Or whether great or small ; 
 u He gave them light, and bade them shine 
 
 "And He is Lord of All." 
 
o 
 
 O calls the mighty Ocean deep, 
 My wondering eyes before ; 
 
 And I can fancy, that I hear 
 Its rushing waters roar. 
 
 The ships are tost upon the flood ; 
 
 When dreadful storms arise, 
 And Ocean waves are swelling hig 
 
 As they would mount the skies. 
 
37 
 
 What wondrous power does God possess, 
 
 Who can that sea command ; 
 And bid it roll its waves, within 
 
 The hollow of his hand. 
 
 If he can quell the mighty deep 
 
 When all its billows roll ; 
 How easy, then, for him to still 
 
 The tempests of my soul. 
 
 To calm the stormy thoughts that rise, 
 
 Within my troubled breast ; 
 To bid my restless sorrows cease, 
 
 And lull my cares to rest. 
 
 O Ocean ! in thy wondrous power, 
 
 Mighty art thou to me ; 
 How much more mighty still, must thine 
 
 Almighty Maker be ! 
 
 "How I should like," said Fanny Blake, 
 
 "To visit the sea-side : 
 " It's deeper than a house is high, 
 
 " They say, and very wide." 
 
 " The sea is very wide and deep, 
 "No doubt," said Sarah Bell, 
 
 " But God's amazing grace more vast, 
 " Than we can think or tell." 
 
p 
 
 °, thou art Pride; that fatal sin 
 ^ By which high angels fell, 
 From innocence and joy in Heaven, 
 To punishment in Hell. 
 
 if angels pure, by thee were led 
 
 To act a smful part ; 
 What need have I, through every hour 
 
 To watch my wand'ring heart. 
 
 With folly, weakness, vain desires, 
 
 And all my sins in view ; 
 What need have I to pray to God, 
 
 That he may watch me too : 
 
39 
 
 And put a bridle on my lips ; 
 
 And close mine ears and eyes ; 
 Defending me, when lofty thoughts, 
 
 And vain desires arise. 
 
 O may this thoughtless heart of mine, 
 
 Be humble and sincere ; 
 Nor let the seeds of sinful Pride 
 
 Be ever foster'd there. 
 
 For, while confusion, pain, and tears, 
 
 To bosoms proud are given ; 
 In Christ, the humble soul shall find 
 
 The way that leads to heaven. 
 
Q a&ks a Question, which we read 
 In GkcPs most holy word ; 
 
 And happy they who answer well ; 
 Say, "Lovest thou the Lord?" 
 
 This Question, and the solemn words 
 Upon our hearts should fall — 
 
 Was ask'd of zealous Peter once, 
 And may be ask'd of all. 
 
 Say, Lovest thou the Lord thy God ? 
 
 Art thou obedient still, 
 And swift to learn his holy law, 
 
 And do his heavenly will ? 
 
4) 
 
 Dost thou, in all thy words and deeds, 
 
 Keep charity in view ? 
 For he who truly loves the Lord, 
 
 Will love his brother too. 
 
 Whene'er we think of heavenly things, 
 
 Or read the sacred word ; 
 This solemn Question still should rise, 
 
 Say, Lovest thou the Lord ? 
 
 And happier, Reader ! shalt thou be 
 Than words can e'er express ; 
 
 If, when the Question's put to thee, 
 Thy heart can answer Yes ! 
 
 Now Sarah shut the book, in haste, 
 The cuckoo clock struck eight : 
 
 " How quick the time has past away ; 
 " I shall be very late ! 
 
 "Why, Fanny, I must run away 
 
 a As fast as I have power: 
 "Who would have ever thought it, Girl 
 
 a That I'd been here an hour V 
 
 Then quick she bid her friend good bye 
 With manner sweet and mild, 
 
 And ran away, with all her might : 
 She was an active child ; 
 
 Employing every moment, like 
 
 The little busy Bee ; 
 For at her work, or book, or play, 
 
 No child more quick than she. 
 
! 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 Part the Third. 
 
 ft was toward thq close of day, 
 
 A pleasant sight to see, 
 Both Sarah Bell and Fanny Blake, 
 
 Seated beneath a tree. 
 
 The tree was very large and high, 
 And spread its boughs around ; 
 
 And leaves were lying, here and there. 
 And acorns, on the ground. 
 
43 
 
 The rains had wash'd the earth away, 
 
 And left a root quite bare ; 
 And there they sat ; the setting sun 
 
 Was wondrous bright and fair. 
 
 A pretty cottage was in sight, 
 
 With garden ground before ; 
 The light blue smoke was rising high, 
 
 And woodbines at the door. 
 
 How sweet a thing it is, to gaze 
 
 On childhood's happy hour ; 
 Ere sorrow has pierc'd through the heart, 
 
 Or worldly cares overpower. 
 
 It was w^hen sitting on the root, 
 
 Beneath that tree so high ; ~ 
 That Sarah read her little book, 
 
 And Fanny listened by. 
 
R tells of Riches ; glittering things ! 
 
 But let thy heart beware ; 
 For he, who hasteth to be rich, 
 
 Is caught in many a snare. 
 
 Though all the wealth of all the world. 
 In sparkling heaps were thine ; 
 
 Still wert thou poor, amidst thy gains, 
 Unblest with grace divine. 
 
 A camel easier may pass 
 
 Through a small needle's eye ; 
 
 Than can a rich man, fillM with pride, 
 Attain to heaven on high. 
 
45 
 
 For all that thither go, though rich, 
 Renounce their treasures all ; 
 
 And sinners, penitent and poor, 
 Before their Saviour fall. 
 
 Wouldst thou be truly rich, and see 
 Thy treasures round thee rise ; 
 
 Be rich in faith, and place secure 
 Thy treasures in the skies. 
 
 Then though the gold and silver bright, 
 
 Shall quickly melt away ; 
 Thy Riches, evermore shall last, 
 
 Through heaven's eternal day. 
 
4(5 
 
 » 
 
 s 
 
 i 7 es ! I will think of heavenly things 
 
 While on my way I plod ; 
 And S shall shadow forth, to me 
 
 The Sabbath of my God. * 
 
 When Sunday dawns, in cheerful haste 
 
 My head I'll joyful raise. 
 To greet the day of rest and peace ; 
 
 The day of prayer and praise. 
 
47 
 
 And I will gladly join the throng 
 That seek the house of prayer ; 
 
 For God has promised, in his love, 
 To meet, and bless them there. 
 
 But will the God of earth and skies, 
 From heaven's exalted span, 
 
 Descend in mercy from above, 
 And comfort fallen man ? 
 
 O Yes ! and let his promise be 
 
 Thy stay in every storm : 
 What he has written in his word, 
 
 His goodness will perform. 
 
 The Sabbath now that is enjoy'd, 
 
 To man in love is given, 
 Till one more glorious shall arise, 
 
 Eternal and in heaven. 
 
 Then Sarah told about the school, 
 Where she on Sunday went ; 
 
 How they, who had not learned to read, 
 To the first class were sent. 
 
 And when they had been there awhile, 
 And knew their letters well ; 
 
 They went into the second class, 
 One syllable to spell. 
 
 Then came the third; "and so," said th 
 
 " My Fanny dear ! indeed, 
 u You hardly would believe it, Girl, 
 
 u How r soon they learn to read." 
 
48 
 
 T 
 
 Thou Time art told by letter T ; 
 
 That space to mortals given, 
 That they may learn the law of God, 
 
 And raise their thoughts to heaven. 
 
 Unwillingly we hear the truth, 
 And still &re slow to learn, 
 
 That Time, however swift, when past, 
 Will never more return. 
 
 And will the winged dart of death 
 
 Arrest my brief career ? 
 Shall I as sinner or as saint, 
 
 With grief or joy appear? 
 
49 
 
 Then not a moment let me lose, 
 But haste with heart and mind, 
 
 To seek the pardoning grace of Christ; 
 For they that seek shall find. 
 
 Though years in swift succession fly, 
 
 And Time unnoticed glide ; 
 Yet shall my every day be blest. 
 
 If God be near my side. 
 
 To thee, ere fleeting Time shall pass, 
 
 My Saviour I would flee ; 
 And give myself, with all my strength- 
 
 Through all my Time, to thee. 
 
 How disposition shews itself 
 
 In manner and in look ; 
 For Sarah's anxious face was fix'd 
 
 Intent upon her book. 
 
 While Fanny's eye was roving round, 
 
 The setting sun to see ; 
 Or watch the leaves that, now and then, 
 
 Fell rustling from the tree. 
 
50 
 
 John xx. 27- 
 
 u 
 
 U tells me of a sin that steals 
 
 Upon ns like a thief ; 
 And robs us of a thousand joys : 
 
 That sin is Unbelief. 
 
 God sent his prophets and his Son 
 
 That sinners might believe ; 
 But who the prophet's word would hear? 
 
 Or who the Lord receive ? 
 
 Now, God bas sent his holy word 
 
 To teach us all his will ; 
 And we that holy word read o'er, 
 
 But disbelieve him still. 
 
51 
 
 Did we believe ; our hearts would burn 
 
 To serve the Lord on high ; 
 And sin, through Christ's atoning grace, 
 
 And sorrows too would die. 
 
 Thou, Giver of eternal things ! 
 
 Thy servant's prayer receive ; 
 And take away my Unbelief, 
 
 And teach me to believe. 
 
 Then shall I lift my heart to thee ; 
 
 Thy Providence adore ; 
 And hope, and peace, and faith, and joy, 
 >e mine for evermore. 
 
 .^3 
 
 D 2 
 
52 
 
 Virtue, th£ letter V proclaims : 
 And, O ! how truly blest 
 
 Are they, and only they, who live 
 With Virtue in their breast. 
 
 It's value is above all price 
 That can be paid in gold : 
 
 A crown of happiness to Youth ; 
 Of glory to the old. 
 
Know all that seek for bliss in life 
 And long for length of days ; ' 
 
 That honour, peace, and health, are theirs, 
 Who walks in Virtue's ways. 
 
 For godliness is greatest gain ; 
 
 So runs the sacred text ; 
 And hath the promise of this world 
 
 As well as of the next ' 
 
 Then call upon the Lord thy God 
 Would'st thou be virtuous still/ 
 
 And read his sacred word, and strive 
 To learn his holy will. 
 
 For all the Virtue that thou hast, 
 
 From God, in mercy came ; 
 And thou canst only hope for heaven 
 
 Through thy Redeemer's name. 
 
 "Now mark that Fanny l» Sarah said 
 • " No good can e'er befall, 
 "That comes not from the Lord our God * 
 " For we are sinners all. ' 
 
 ' Sure we should never, then, forget, 
 " Through all our passing days ; ' 
 
 " To pray that God our youth would guidu 
 "And all our thoughts and ways." 
 
Or whether peace attend my path, 
 Or storms around be hurl'd ; 
 
 The letter W shall still 
 Remind me of the World. 
 
 The many things the World contains 
 
 Are very dear to me ; 
 Yet must the thought that they will fad* 
 
 On my remembrance be. 
 
55 
 
 Our fame, alas! is but a breath ; 
 
 Our friends will turn to clay, 
 And all our golden treasures bright, 
 
 Make wings and fly away. 
 
 Then, while we gratefully enjoy 
 
 The gifts the World bestows, 
 O let us praise that gracious God 
 
 From whom each blessing flows ; 
 
 Still let us while the World's delight 
 
 Around our bosom clings, 
 Press onward, with redoubled zeal, 
 
 To more enduring things. 
 
 Still, in each fellow creature see 
 
 A sister or a brother ; 
 And fix, while passing through this World 
 
 Our hearts upon another. 
 
X is a letter little used 
 
 And hard to write upon : 
 It stands, here, for two famous men ; 
 
 Xerxes and Xenephon. 
 The first, he was a warrior bold 
 
 A king of mighty fame ; 
 The latter, was a learned man ; 
 
 In Greece well known his name. 
 
 The one, in knowledge he was great ; 
 
 The other great in power; 
 But they are dead, and only liv'd, 
 
 Alas f their little hour. 
 
57 
 
 If Earning deep, and kingly pride, 
 
 1 he mighty cannot save ; 
 How certain and how soon, shall I 
 
 Sink in the silent grave. 
 
 But though I may not talk of power 
 Nor boast of learning's pride ; 
 
 Yet may I to my Saviour go, 
 And he will all provide. 
 
 °>™T hou ! who stre ngth and wisdom art 
 Thy servant let me be ; 
 
 And all my knowledge, and my power, 
 Obtain them, Lord, from thee. 
 
 While Sarah urged her little friend 
 Her heavenly course to run ; 
 
 Fanny peep'd at the book, to see 
 If she had nearly done. 
 
 This idle girl then smil'd with joy 
 For she was pleas'd indeed, 9 
 
 To see, as Sarah turned the leaves, 
 There were so few to read. ? 
 
 With soothing sound, and balmy breath 
 The evening breeze came by ; 9 
 
 As Sarah Bell began to read 
 About the letter Y. 
 
Y 
 
 Y speaks of Youth, that happy time, 
 When pleasant thoughts abound ; 
 
 And health, and hope, and holiday, 
 Are smiling all around. 
 
 Unknown in youth, *he deeper care, 
 And toil and anxi >us fears, 
 
 That cast a shade upon the brows, 
 Of more advanced years. 
 
59 
 
 G, sweet it is ! to see the young 
 
 Their vacant hour employ, 
 In many a laughter-loving sport, 
 
 Of innocence and joy. 
 
 And sweeter still, when, taught aright, 
 They walk in wisdom's ways ; 
 
 And offer up their youthful hearts, 
 In gratitude and praise. 
 
 For they who early seek the Lord, 
 
 The Lord shall early find ; 
 And love, and peace, around their hearts, 
 
 Eternal mercies bind. 
 
 In all the changes of thy life. 
 
 Still for thy death prepare ; 
 O, give thy earliest youth to Christ, 
 
 Thy age shall be his care. 
 
CO 
 
 This crooked letter is the last ; 
 
 Let Z, then, mark the Zeal, 
 For every high and holy thing, 
 
 The Christian ought to feel. 
 
 Howe'er thy hand may be employed ; 
 
 Thy secret thoughts inclin'd ; 
 Yet, forward press, in every good, 
 
 With all thy heart and mind. 
 
 If life be short ; be zealous still, 
 
 In what thou hast to do ; 
 And serve thy God with all thy soul, 
 
 And love thy neighbour too. 
 
 Press forward with an ardent hope, 
 
 Whate'er thy life befall ; 
 In word and deed, in prayer and praise ; 
 
 Be zealous in them all. 
 
 When, trusting to our heavenly guide. 
 
 Oar earthly course we run ; 
 Too much of good we cannot do ; 
 
 Too little all have done. 
 
Gl 
 
 Let Zeal for Christ inspire our hearts ; 
 
 And with prevailing power, 
 Attend us through the paths of life, 
 
 And mark our dying hour. 
 
 The sun, behind the distant hill, 
 His setting beams had spread ; 
 
 Ere Sarah Bell and Fanny Blake. 
 The little book had read. 
 
 Then up they got and walked away; 
 
 And Fanny Blake agreed, 
 With Sarah Bell, that it must be 
 
 A pleasant thing to read. 
 
 But many an idle, vain excuse, 
 She gave her friend to show, 
 
 Why she, unto the Sunday School, 
 At present, could not go. 
 
 But O ! how sweetly Sarah Bell, 
 
 To Fanny Blake replied ; 
 And urg'd her friend to think, in time, 
 
 Of Jesus crucified. 
 
 "To day \" said she "To day's the time 
 
 " To seek for mercy free, 
 "And know the Lord; for none can tell 
 
 "Who may to-morrow see." 
 
 Day after Day, poor Sarah strove : 
 At times, indeed, she fear'd, 
 
 That she might never win her friend ; 
 But> still, she perse ver'd. 
 
Gil 
 
 And put up many a fervent prayer : 
 
 At last, it so befell ; 
 That hand in hand went Fanny Blake, 
 
 To School with Sarah Bell. 
 
 « 
 
 Now Fanny, though neglected long, 
 Was quick and ready still, 
 
 At every thing she took in hand : 
 She wanted but the will. 
 
 Instruction, to a stubborn child, 
 
 In vain its care bestows ; 
 But, where there is a willing mind, 
 
 Then, learning easy- grows. 
 
63 
 
 Now then, my little readers all ! 
 
 A good example take ; 
 And something learn from Sarah Bell, 
 
 And little Fanny Blake. 
 
 What was it, that made Sarah Bell, 
 
 As on her way she trod, 
 So anxious for her little friend ? — 
 
 It was the grace of God ! 
 
 For all that know the Lord aright, 
 
 And love his will to do ; 
 Will ever strive, and anxious be, 
 
 That others love it too. 
 
 Sarah was young ; but yet her breast 
 
 Of sin was sore afraid ; 
 For knowledge of a Saviour's love. 
 
 Her heart had tender made. 
 
 And often would she pray, " O, Thou ! 
 
 " Who didst for sin atone ; 
 " Teach me my sinfulness to know, 
 
 " And trust in thee alone. 
 
 "My peace and joy have been obtained 
 " From sorrows borne by Thee 
 
 "My gain arises from thy loss, 
 " Thy death is life to me. 
 
 "Jesus, accept my youthful heart, 
 " Constrained by love divine ; 
 
 "And may my future years declare 
 " That I am wholly thine/' 
 
64 
 
 Fanny at first was slow ; but soor 
 
 • She understood the plan, 
 And learn'd apace ; and swiftly through 
 
 The different classes ran. 
 
 For Sarah Bell was always near 
 
 In every time of need ; 
 Encourag'd, guided and wprov'd, 
 
 And was her friend indeed. 
 
 Nor did she, on her knees forget, 
 With grateful heart, to bend, 
 
 And offer thanks for every gift, 
 Bestowed upon her friend. 
 
 For Fanny, daily wiser grew, 
 
 And read the sacred word, 
 Till she was taught, O happy hour ! 
 * To know and love the Lord. 
 
 With spirit humble, and sincere ; 
 
 With temper meek, and mild ; 
 She look'd upon the past with shame. 
 
 And was an altered child. 
 
 With willing mind, she went to School, 
 
 (It pleases me to tell,) 
 Till she became- as good a girl, 
 
 As little Sarah Bell. 
 
7«^t y 
 
 S3 jS? 
 
 Jesus ! make my froward heart Mjr^ 
 
 Humble, teachable, and mild, 
 Upright, simple, free from art, 
 Like a little weaned child, 
 
 From all pride and envy free, 
 Teach me to obey thy will, 
 Pleas'd with all that pleases thee, 
 Love, and praise, and bless thee still 
 
 What thou shalt to-day provide, 
 
 Let me as a child receive; 
 What to-morrow may betide, 
 Calmly to thy wisdom leave. 
 
 Oh what grace ! that Christ should 
 care 
 
 Thus for our poor helpless race, 
 All our burdens kindly bear, 
 Clasp us in his kind embrace. 
 
 Let me then on thee rely, 
 
 While my heart to thee I give ; j 
 . Happy when I come to die, [ 
 m.^ Happier still with thee to live. 
 
 t^h mi** 
 
 aP&Sl f§&&