As soon as a child’s mind is _capable_ of receiving _systematic_ instruction, this humble work attempts to convey it. From a very early period a pious mother will, by _casual_ remarks, endeavor to lead her child to the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer; and in due time she will impart _systematic_ instruction. It may be at _three_ years of age—it may _not_ be till _five_—that the child is prepared to listen to these little lessons. But—sooner or later—he will give evidence of his immortality by willingly hearkening to discourse concerning the INVISIBLE—the ETERNAL—the INFINITE. The simplicity of the language may seem unworthy of the sublimity of the subject treated of in these pages; and some may smile at the contrast;—but the little one will not smile—except with joy to hear of his Heavenly Father, and of his Incarnate Redeemer; for the merry inmates of the nursery are capable of tasting higher pleasures than toys and dainties can afford. THE PEEP OF DAY. LESSON I. OF THE BODY. DEAR CHILDREN:—You have seen the sun in the sky. Who put the sun in the sky?—God. Can you reach up so high?—No. Who holds up the sun that it does not fall?—It is God. God lives in heaven; heaven is much higher than the sun. Can you see God?—No. Yet He can see you, for God sees everything. God made everything at first, and God takes care of everything. God made you, my little child, and God takes care of you always. You have a little body; from your head down to your feet, I call your body. Put your hand before your mouth. What do you feel coming out of your mouth? It is your breath. You breathe every moment. When you are asleep, you breathe. You cannot help breathing. But who gives you breath? God does everything. God gave you this little body, and he makes it live, and move, and breathe. There are bones in your body. God has made them strong and hard. There are some bones for your arms, and some bones for your legs. There is a bone for your back, and more bones for you sides. God has covered your bones with flesh. Your flesh is soft and warm. In your flesh there is blood. God has put skin outside, and it covers your flesh and blood like a coat. Now all these things, the bones, and flesh, and blood, and skin, are called your body. How kind of God it was to give you a body. I hope that your body will not get hurt. Will your bones break?—Yes, they would, if you were to fall down from a high place, or if a cart were to go over them. If you were to be very sick, your flesh would waste away, and you would have scarcely anything left but skin and bones. Did you ever see a child who had been sick a very long while? I have seen a sick baby. It had not round cheeks like yours, and a fat arm like this. The baby’s flesh was almost gone, and its little bones were only covered with skin. God has kept you strong and well. How easy it would be to hurt your poor little body!