“There’s a better way than that, my lad. Suppose you were going down some lonely lane on a dark night with an unlighted lantern in your hand, and a box of matches in your pocket, what would you do?” “Why, I’d light the lantern.” “Why would you light it?” “To show me the road, sir.” [Illustration: “A LAMP UNTO MY FEET.”] “Very well. Now, suppose you were walking behind me some day, and saw me drop a quarter; what would you do?” “Pick it up and give it to you, sir.” “Wouldn’t you want to keep it yourself?” Crawford hesitated; but he saw a smile on the old gentleman’s face, and, smiling himself, he finally said: “I should want to, sir; but I shouldn’t do it.” “Why not?” “Because it would be stealing.” “How do you know?” “It would be taking what wasn’t my own, and the Bible says we are not to steal.” “Ah!” said the old man, “so it’s the Bible that makes you honest, is it?” “Yes, sir.” “If you had not heard of the Bible you would steal, I suppose?” “Lots of boys do,” said Crawford, hanging his head. “The Bible, then,” continued the old man, “shows you the right and safe path--the path of honesty, does it?” “Like the lamp!” exclaimed Crawford, seeing now what all the old man’s questions meant. “Is that what the text means?” “Yes, my boy,” the man answered, “there is always light in the Bible to show us where to go and what to do. Don’t you think it would be a good thing to take the Bible, the good old lamp, and let it light you right through life?” “Yes, sir.” “Do you think you will be safer with it?” “Yes, sir.” “Why?” “Because if I’m honest I will never go to prison.” “And what else?” asked the man. Crawford thought awhile. By-and-by he said,-- “If I mind the Bible I shall go to heaven when I die.” “Yes, and that’s the best reason for taking the lamp. It will light you right into heaven.” THREE BRIGADES. There are three brigades, or three little companies, which I think ought to be organized among the boys and girls in every Sunday-school in America. Can’t you form them in your Sunday-school? It is a very simple matter. It will not cost any money: only a little time and forethought, and a will to do. One brigade is called the Rainy-Weather Brigade, and all the little boys and girls who join this company pledge themselves to go to Sunday-school every Sunday, when they are not sick, even if it is raining. The second brigade is called the Front Seat Brigade, and all the members of this company pledge themselves to occupy front seats in the Sunday school during the opening exercises before they pass to their classes. The third brigade is called the On-Timers’ Brigade, and the children in this brigade pledge themselves to be present on time at the opening hour. [Illustration: MEMBERS OF THE RAINY-WEATHER BRIGADE.]