The Caledonian

Youth's Department.

"OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD."

How beautiful is the scene of nature! A few weeks since, winter's chilly mantle clung closely to our hills and plains; and now they are dressed in a green velvet robe, of which June herself might be proud. I almost fancy this balmy air to be the breath of June and every tree has its minstrel filling the air with sweet music. Numerous have been the offerings of wild flowers which little hands have culled and poured into my lap, and should this delightful weather continue, we may like the English, and our Southern neighbors, weave garlands of roses in May.

Mary Smith has an ardent love for the beauties of the season; but she came home from school a few days since, with her usually sunny brow clouded; and as she entered the room I perceived she had been weeping. Her watchful mother anxiously inquired the cause.

"You know," replied Mary, "cousin William is full of mischief, and he delights to trouble the small scholars, and make them scream. When I begged him not to do so, and told him 'we must do to others as we would have them do to us,' he only laughed, and said I was a little saint always repeating scripture to make people think I was very good. I then took little Henry by the hand to lead him, but he pushed me against the fence and hurt me sadly. I promised to give him some plants to-night, but I cannot give him any now, indeed I cannot; and I shall tell him the reason."

"My daughter," said Mrs. Smith firmly, "you are too much excited to talk now, and will very probably say something for which you will have reason to be sorry. Sit down and reflect awhile before you form any bad resolutions."

Mary obeyed: and laying aside her bonnet and books, sat down at the window, looking very unhappy. After a few moments, her mother said. "Can this be the little girl who thought she should always try to 'overcome evil with good?' "

"O yes, mother, but I did not feel what it meant. Do you not think I have been cruelly treated? But if you think it best I will try to do as I promised, though it will seem very hard."

"I am sorry it should be hard for you to do right. Remember the Savior's eye is upon you, that Savior, who when he was reviled, reviled not again, but was meek and lowly, praying even for his murderers -- Has he not borne with my Mary many years, showering unnumbered blessings upon her, while she has forgotten him, and broken his just and holy command?"

The little girl was silent, for her mother had touched a tender chord, and her feelings were softened.-- We soon saw William coming up the gravel walk.- He went directly to the kitchen, and inquired of the servant if he could have a few plants. She told him the roots were wholly at Mary's disposal, & doubtless she would gladly oblige him. He knew he deserved no favor from her, and walked slowly away. Mary went to the door and requested him to wait a moment, and she would assist him. She led the way to the garden with a light step and a sweet smile once more played about her lips. I followed them soon after, and stood partly concealed by an arbor, so I was not noticed by the children. Mary was placing some of her finest pink roots in William's basket, at the same time giving him directions how to cultivate them. He was evidently affected by her kindness, and when she told him to call again and she would give him a moss rose bush and a tiger lilly, he said, with some hesitation, "You are truly kind to me, cousin Mary, and I have treated you very badly to-day. Will you forgive me and tell me what I can do to oblige you ?"

"I forgave you," replied the little girl meekly, "before we came into the garden, and if you will be affectionate to our schoolmates, it is all I ask."

"You shall see to-morrow," returned William. and pleasantly bidding her good evening he retired.- I now joined my little friend and assisted her in removing the dead stalks from her rose bushes till the bell rang for tea.

The next morning was quite rainy, and as Mary came down stairs I reminded her that our accustomed walk must be omitted.

"You know," she replied, "I love a morning walk above all things, but I am glad it rains it is such fine weather for William's plants."

"Then you can wish him success in gardening, though it was so very hard for you to render him any assistance yesterday," said I sportively.

She blushed deeply, and said in a suppressed tone, I ought to ask forgiveness of you and mamma for my improper behavior yesterday. I was very wicked and foolish to be angry, and I have been sorry ever since. I hope I shall never do so again." As she said this a tear trembled in her eye - it was a tear of penitence.

"Have you passed the day pleasantly," inquired Mrs. Smith, as Mary came in from school with a countenance beaming with good humor.

"O yes," she returned with much animation "William has given us no trouble, and I saw him take several little ones under his umbrella because it rained."

"Then, my love you did indeed 'overcome evil with good,'" replied the faithful mother. "Had you manifested a resentful spirit and refused to bestow a favor on your cousin, no doubt his rude behavior would have continued during the whole term. This gentle way of leading him to do right, may have an effect upon him as long as he lives. I hope it has taught you a useful lesson my child, and I shall never have the grief of seeing you angry again. From your deportment since I trust you have repented of your fault, and sought forgiveness of your Heavenly Father."

"I think I have, dear mother, and hope you will forgive me too. I know I was hasty, and if you had not kindly advised me I fear I should not have done right."

Do my youthful readers see nothing in this example worthy of imitation? When you are provoked to anger, do you listen to the voice of admonition and seek to render good for evil? Are you sorry for your fault and ready to acknowledge it? It is sometimes necessary to exercise a great deal of forbearance. Does a recollection of the Savior's long suffering enable you to do this? If you have His love in your heart, He will assist you to manifest "a meek and quiet spirit," which is in his sight "of great price."

Come then to Christ, and learn of Him, for He is "meek and lowly in heart."

[Cong. Journal.]