_Father._ My dear child, our hearts are naturally turned away from GOD. Sin is the cause of this sad state: it separates our hearts from our Father and Creator. We do not wish to own that he preserves and takes care of us--supplies our wants, and gives us all things we enjoy. _Child._ Oh, papa! how few love GOD, and trust in him as they ought! _Father._ The true children of GOD alone really love him, desire to please him, and sincerely trust in his goodness. Yes, my child, till we are true Christians, till we are renewed and changed by the SPIRIT OF GOD, we are like this little insect. We receive life, motion, food, and clothing from him, but we seldom think of him; and we do not even thank him for all his gifts. _Child._ I think, papa, that those who forget GOD are not even so good as this little insect; for it at least does nothing wrong, while they are wicked, obstinate, proud, and ungrateful. _Father._ You are right, my dear child. The sinner is not so good as this insect. How thankful should we then be that our Saviour has redeemed us from sin, and has made us children of GOD, by uniting us for ever to himself? _Child._ Yes, we know that GOD is our Father, and that he loves us. I am sure he takes care of me, since he has given his SON to save me. What a good Father! what a kind Saviour! _Father._ Continue to love this good Saviour, my dear child; and always remember the words of St. Paul:--"He who spared not his own Son, but gave him up to the death for us all, shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Remember the cochineal, which is so wonderfully formed by the LORD, and seek, above all things, the blessing of the all-wise, powerful, and good GOD, who never forgets you, and who is, through JESUS CHRIST, your heavenly Father. [Illustration] THE GREAT AND GOOD GOD. How wonderful this rolling ball Of earth, that bears me now! And, O! thou mighty GOD of all, How wonderful art Thou! (And what is this vast world to thee, With all its sea and land? Just what a pebble is _to me_, Or e'en a grain of sand.) And may a simple child address So great and high a King? And will he notice, will he bless So mean a little thing? And may I hope his love to win, Before his face to stand, Who holds this spacious world within The hollow of his hand? O yes! for though he is so high, He makes e'en worms his care; He will not scorn an infant's cry, A sinful infant's pray'r. Footnote: [Footnote A: Perhaps the young reader would know it better by its more common name of _lady bird_.]