Stories and Poems

HERE AND THERE OR, THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT, BEING SUITABLE THOUGHTS FOR A NEW YEAR. By Hannah More Here bliss is short, imperfect, insincere, But total, absolute, and perfect there. Here time's a moment, short our happiest state; There infinite duration is our date. Here Satan tempts, and troubles e'en the best; There Satan's power extends not to the blest. In a weak, sinful body here I dwell; But there I drop this frail and sickly shell. Here my best thoughts are stained with guilt and fear, But love and pardon shall be perfect there. Here my best duties...

THE SWISS PEASANT[*] TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL FRENCH OF  REV. CÆSAR MALAN, OF GENEVA  Ye who sincerely desire rest for your souls; who would rejoice to have peace with God, and to be assured of his love towards you; listen to a simple narrative of scenes which I have witnessed. Is it possible that a nation can dwell in wickedness, and not fear that Divine justice will overtake it? The concerns of this life proceed in their accustomed course: the farmer pursues his labors, the tradesman is immersed in his traffic, and the man of pleasure follows the vanities in...

THE STUPID LITTLE SERVANT by Amy Le Feuvre This story is found at the end of Amy's book Brownie.  Mrs. Eustace was silent for a moment. Then she said: "Listen, Brownie—I am going to tell you a story. There was once a very good king, who lived in a beautiful country where the sun was always shining and the people were always happy. There was a river that ran round his country, and on the other side of it there was a country so different! Hardly any sun and a great deal of rain and cold wind, and a wicked,...

THE RUSSIAN NURSE by Rev. Richard Knill The imperial city of St. Petersburg is one of the most magnificent in the world. Its spacious streets, and gilded spires, and numerous palaces, have a most imposing effect on strangers. The population is upwards of three hundred thousand. I lived among them thirteen years, and received nothing but kindness from every class of the community. People from the four quarters of the world come and settle there-some for pleasure, and others for trade; and it is a pleasing sight to see, on a fine day at one of the fashionable promenades, people...

 NOTHING TO PAY by Frances Rdiley Havergal Nothing to pay! Ah, nothing to pay! Never a word of excuse to say! Year after year thou hast filled the score, Owing thy Lord still more and more. Hear the voice of Jesus say, "Verily thou hast nothing to pay! Ruined, lost art thou, and yet I forgave thee all that debt."   Nothing to pay! the debt is so great; What will you do with the awful weight? How shall the way of escape be made? Nothing to pay! yet it must be paid! Hear the voice of Jesus say, "Verily...