_June_.--Now it is time to cut the grass and make hay. It is very pleasant to go and help. See how soon the grass withers after it is cut. "In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth." Little children often seem very well, but on a sudden they are taken ill, and die;--they are compared to grass and flowers. [Illustration] _July._--It is very hot, and the animals retire to the shade. Now you must water your garden: if you do not, your plants will die. Are you fond of strawberries and currants? They are now ripe, but do not eat them without leave. Our father ate forbidden fruit, And from his glory fell; And we, his children, thus were brought To death, and near to hell. [Illustration] _August._--The grain begins to ripen. Now the farmer sends his men with their sickles, and they reap it; it is then tied up in sheaves and carried to the barn. Do you recollect the parable about the wheat and the tares? Matthew, 13. Christ compares those who love him to wheat: they will go to heaven. The wicked are compared to tares: they are to be punished. [Illustration] _September._--It is time to gather the apples and pears. You may get a basket, and pick up those that fall down. Christ said, "By their fruits ye shall know them;" he then spoke of peoples actions. We know whether little children are good or naughty, by what they do. The labor of the righteous tendeth to life; the fruit of the wicked to sin. [Illustration] _October._--The leaves are falling off the trees. The days are now a great deal shorter than they were. The grapes are ripe; it is time to gather them. Christ compared himself to a vine, and his disciples to the branches. Remember that it is to him we are to look for grace and strength, to enable us to do what pleases him. The branches will not bring forth fruit if they are parted from the vine. [Illustration] _November._--Now the weather is dark and dismal; you must amuse yourself in doors. When you are tired of playing, come and sit down and read a little. Here is a pretty picture book to look at. It is about the "Histories in the Bible." I do not know any picture book with half so many pretty pictures as those which are taken from the Bible. [Illustration] _December._--Now dreary winter reigns, and the year comes to its solemn close. All the sins we have committed, this year against God, and all we have done in obedience to his commands, are now written down in his book. So our life will soon close; and we must then appear before God in judgment, and render up our account for all the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. [Illustration]