"Come, Mamie, darling," said Mrs. Peterson, "before you go into the land of dreams you will kneel at my knee and thank your heavenly Father for what he has given you today." Mamie came slowly towards her mother, and said, "I've been very naughty, and I can't pray, Mama." "If you've been naughty dear, that is the more reason that you need to pray." "But, Mama, I don't think God wants little girls to come to Him when they are naughty." "You are not naughty now, my dear, are you?" "No, I am not naughty now." "Well, then come at once." "What shall I say to God about it, Mama?" "You can tell God how very sorry you are." "What difference will that make?" "When we have told God that we are sorry, and when he has forgiven us, then we are as happy as if we had not done wrong; but we cannot undo the mischief." "Then, Mama, I can never be quite as rich as if I had not had a naughty hour today." "Never, my dear; but the thought of your loss may help you to be more careful in the future, and we will ask God to keep you from sinning against him again." --Selected THE LITTLE GIRL WHO DIED TO SAVE HER FATHER'S LIFE [Illustration] My dear little friend: I want to tell you about a little girl in Switzerland who died to save her father's life. I hope it will lead you to think of Him who died a dreadful death on the cross, that we might be saved from sin and sorrow here, and at last dwell with Him in bright mansions in the skies. This little girl lived near a deep ravine at the foot of one of the mountains in Switzerland. A huge rock had fallen down the mountain side, and lodged in the ravine, and thus made a natural bridge, so that those who wished to pass from one side of the mountain to the other, could cross the bridge. The mother of the child was an earnest Christian, and often told her daughter about the blessed Savior, who died in the place of sinners, who deserved to be punished that they might be forgiven and saved in heaven. And she told her also that unless she came to Jesus, and trusted in Him, she would be lost forever. At first the little girl did not care very much about what her mother said, but at last the mother's prayer was answered. Her little one felt herself to be a lost sinner, and that Christ alone could save her. God's spirit taught her that Jesus had paid the debt, and that He stood with open arms ready to receive her, and wash her sins away. Then she felt sure that heaven would be her home forever. Her father was not a Christian. He never gathered his loved ones around the family altar. One day when about to cross the deep ravine upon the rock bridge, the mother saw that it was just ready to fall. The frost had loosened it. She told her little child that if she ever crossed it again it would fall, and she would be dashed in pieces. [Illustration]