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S WRITTEN FOR THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, AND REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OP PUBLICATION. PHILADELPHIA: AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, No. 810 CHESTNUT STREET. HEW YORK: No. 147 NASSAU ST BOSTOH: No. 9 CORNHILL. LOUISVILLE : No. 103 FOURTH ST. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by the AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 4®* No books are published by the American Sunday-school Union without the sanction of the Committee of Publication, connisting of four- teen members, from the following denominations of Chi-istiuns, viz. Bap- tist, Methodist, Congregationalist, Episcopal, Pi'eshyterian, Lutheran, and Reformed Dutch. Not more than three of the members can be of the same denomination, and no book can be published to which any member of the Committee shall object. ^ r • l'. r /\ r ofN CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE The Collation in Mervin^s Woods 7 CHAPTER 11. The Singing-school 21 CHAPTER III. The Funeral 31 CHAPTER IV. The Chant at Seneca Lake 41 CHAPTER V. Miss Nancy Jones 49 CHAPTER VI.^ Kitty perfectly Happy '60 CHAPTER VIL Kitty Reading “ Doddridge’s Rise and Pro- V GRESS” 73 1* , 5 V 6 CONTENTS CHAPTER VIII. PAGE Old Mrs. Segur 85 CHAPTER IX. The Call on Dolly 105 CHAPTER X. ft The Bed-Quilt paid for 116 CHAPTER XI. Kitty’s Visit with Eliza 127 CHAPTER XII. Kitty hears a Sermon ; 143 4 f KITTY BROWN BEGINNING TO THINK. CHAPTER L THE COLLATION IN MERYIN’S WOODS. It was not without regret that little Kitty Brown relinquished the pleasant work of teaching, in old Mrs. Andy’s cottage. Aunt Russell, through the win- ter, had carefully observed the effect of this teaching, and was glad to see, as the months slipped by, that Kitty became more patient and thoughtful. This was owing partly to the fact that she per- severed in the enterprise which she had undertaken, even after the novelty was over, and partly to her daily intercourse with Rosa. 7 8 KITTY BROWN Kosa was one of those sweet children of our Lord Jesus Christ, who every day draw nearer to the celestial city, and be- come more like those shining ones wdio inhabit it. It is the blessed privilege of all such pilgrims, whether old or young, to lure others into this beautiful way. Thus Kosa could not grow in grace” alone, but as she became like Christ, little Kitty, who was constantly with her, be- came more and more anxious to follow her example. These two causes combined, made Kitty a more thoughtful and patient child than she had once been. Her mo- ther and her aunt Kussell carefully watched her, and were ever ready to do her a kindness, or to please her by a reasonable indulgence. ‘‘ Kitty misses her school,” said aunt Kussell to Mrs. Brown, one day. ‘‘Yes, I think so. We must try and find something to take its place. I was hoping that her garden would divert her for a while.” BEGINNING TO THINK. 9 ‘^Tve been thinking,” said her aunt, ‘Hhat it would be pleasant to her and Kosa, if we should take some notice of their little school. Perhaps we might invite the children to the woods, have a collation for them, and then make them some small presents. It would encou- rage them.” That is a good plan,” said Mrs. Brown ; and the season is so advanced, we might do it with safety by next Saturday afternoon, should the day be fair.” Aunt Bussell began immediately to settle on the arrangements for this school-festival, and while yet talking them over, Kitty came in. As she entered, she overheard her mo- ther say — ‘‘ — must go with Kosa to the Factory- village to invite them, for we do not know where they live.” “ Who must?” said Kitty, eagerly. Mrs. Brown laughed. ‘‘Why, Kitty, how came you there?” 10 KITTY BROWN ‘^What were you talking about, mo ther?” “ Oh, your aunt and I were discussing a plan.” ‘^Ah! I know you, mother; it was something for our little school, for I heard you say, ^Must go to the Factory- village to invite them.’ Aunt Russell told Kitty the new plan, and she, though almost a young lady in size, expressed her pleasure like a little child, by jumping up and clapping her hands. After this harmless display of her feelings she suddenly left the room, and in a few minutes was seen running across the common under the elm-trees, swinging her sun-bonnet in her- hand, and every now and then breaking from a run into a hop-skip-and-jump, which served still more to give freedom to her animal spirits. Her brown hair lay in damp curls on her forehead and her cheeks were very red when she entered Mrs. Day’s little sitting-room. “M'^hat’s the matter, Kitty?” said BEGINNING TO THINK. 11 Rosa. ‘‘ Why, what have you been run- ning so for, this warm day ?” ‘‘ Oh, I have such good news to tell you! Mother and aunt Russell are to have what they call a collation in the woods, and you and I are to go to the Factory-village and invite all our scholars to it; and they are to receive books or some such little presents. It is to be next Saturday afternoon, if the day is fair, and I think we had better go right down now and invite them.” ‘‘I think not, Kitty,” said Mrs. Day. “ It is very warm now ; you would suffer from the heat. You had better wait until the cool of the evening.” Kitty knew perfectly well that this was good advice, but she sighed because she must follow it. To her there was no time but the present time. If she had any thing pleasant to do, she wish- ed to do it without a minute’s delay. Yet she was, as we have said, learning patience. Therefore she made no objec- tion to the proposal, but quietly sat down 12 KITTY BROWN on the ottoman, near the window. Eosa took her basket and resumed her work, — for she was mending stockings. Kitty looked at her for some time, wondering how she could do it. Why was not Rosa all in a fluster, just as she was ? She was evidently quite as much pleased with the new plan. As the two friends talked the matter over, the afternoon slipped quickly away. Eosa chatted as fast as Kitty, but still her' pile of unfinished work disappeared from her basket. As she rolled up the last pair of stockings, she exclaimed, ‘‘There, mother, I think we might go now : it will soon be sun-down.” Mrs. Day said “ they must have their tea first,” and she ordered it. While it was making ready, Kitty skip- ped back across the green, to tell her mo- ther the time of starting, that she might not be ainxious about her return. Fast she went, but her little thoughts worked still faster all around this subject. How could Eosa Day enjoy so much BEGINNING TO THINK. 13 when she was always so industrious? Kitty came to her usual conclusion : it must be because she is a Christian. Be- fore she had quite retraced her steps, she came also to another conclusion, which was this : that there is something in true Christians, which makes them different from other people. The two young girls had a pleasant tea-time in the dining-room. The win- dow was open, and the honey-suckle which clambered over it, peeped in to look at them — so far in that its sweet breath reached them. After tea they went to the Factory-village, and succeed- ed in inviting all their scholars to the collation in Mervirfs woods, on the fol- lowing Saturday. All ? Yes, and more too, L dare say you would have thought, had you seen them on Saturday, just after dinner, crowding into Mrs. Brown’s yard, and standing thick as flies about a sugar-cask. Aunt I^ssell and Mrs. Brown laughed heartily^when, coming up from the cel- 14 KITTY BROWN lar kitchen, they had the first sight at them. ‘^Are you sure we have supper enough?” asked Mrs. Brown. Why — I think so,” said aunt Russell, but hesitatingly. ‘^Them little folks will be real hun- gry,” remarked Tom. “'J wouldn’t be afraid to wager they’ll eat all they can get.” After a short consultation, another basket still was placed in Tom’s wagon, and another jug given in charge to Ben Taylor, for he, with some assistance from the larger Scotts, was to draw a hand wagon to the place of rendezvous.* A loud and merry chirrup from Tom, ac- companied by a crack of his whip, was the welcome signal for a move. The happy party kept up with him, particu- larly the younger boys, who seemed to find a great attraction in his horse, to which they ran as near as they dared. Aunt Russell was careful to provide oc- cupation for the children, after they reached Mervin’s woods. Some boys BEGINNING TO THINK. 15 were despatched on an exploring expe- dition, to select a favourable site for the spreading of the treat; some were em- ployed in carrying stones and building seats. It was the business of others to cover these with moss and furze. The little girls braided oak-garlands with which to crown Rosa and Kitty. And not content with this, they then proceed- ed to trim a throne for the elder mem- bers of the party. All were happy, and the woods rang with the merry voices of children, now heard in glad song, and now in feats of laughter. Many a startled bird lifted its head from its nest, where it sat peacefully brooding over its young, and, (if little birds can wonder,) wondered much what had roused up the sleeping echoes of Mervin’s woods. The feast was spread. Tom and Ben Taylor were active serving-men, and as Tom, by Mrs. Brown’s direction, placed a cold ham in the centre of the already loaded l^ard, he could not forbear laugh- ing out ms satisfaction. 16 KITTY BROWN declare, Ben,” said he, guess they’ll get a supper this night, if they don’t any other night in the year.” Benny’s eyes glistened, for they were not often blessed with the sight of plenty. If the first wish of his heart just then had been gratified, his good old mother would have been suddenly put down in the midst of the group; but that could not be. So after retiring under an oak, and whittling away at a stick for some time, he whittled out courage enough to bring him to aunt Russell’s side, and then he awkwardly asked her, “ If she would mind it any if he didn’t eat his supper, but put his part in his pocket to carry home to his mother? He wasn’t a mite hungry,” he said. Aunt Russell took his hand and press- ed it warmly. You are a good son, •Ben,” said she. “I hope you will always think first of your mother. Eat all you can, and I will promise you, we shall be glad to load you down with alLyou can take home besides.” BEGINNING TO THINK. 17 Eosa and Kitty were pleased to ob- serve the propriety with which their scholars behaved when seated on the the grass around the tempting eatables. There was no scrambling, or pushing, or asking, or immoderate eating. As aunt Nancy said, They behaved like ladies and gentlemen, and she thought did great credit to their teachers.” Mrs. Brown was of the same opinion, and Kitty felt that this was the proudest moment of her life. After the collation, Mrs. Brown dis- tributed books, one to each child, with some reasonable word of encouragement and advice. I do not think any one could tell how happy those children were in Mervin’s woods. By this time the startled birds, having become accustomed to the din, peacefully folded their wings over their little ones, and went to sleep. The sun gave so warm a good-night to the pine-tree tops and the western clouds, that he left them all blushing, when he went to seek his 2* 18 KITTY BROWN own rest. Ben and Tom and Mrs. Brown began to parcel out the fragments which remained — enough it proved to load all pockets, and leave something of a bun- dle for Ben’s hand-cart besides. The children helped, and were most of them wishing the afternoon was beginning, in- stead of ending. Suddenly, soft sweet voices were heard singing distinctly — “Sweet fields^^beyond the swelling flood, Stand dress’d in living green : So to the Jews old Canaan stood, While Jordan roll’d between.” Most turned to see whence the sounds came. At a little distance was a high rock which quite overlooked the party, and upon this rock aunt Nancy and Kosa Day had climbed, and there they were, standing upon the top of it, curtained in by those blushing western clouds. Kitty was struck with this scene. It seemed to her tlvat the happier aunt Nancy and Rosa were, the more they BEGINNING TO THINK. 19 thought and wished to speak of God and heaven. As for her, at such a time as this, she was fully absorbed by present plea- sure, satisfied fully she was with the ‘‘ green fields” amid which she then stood. From any other voices than those of aunt Russell and Rosa, there would have been no music to her in songs of greener fields ‘'‘heycmd the swelling flood.” She was not anxious to be reminded then of heaven — earth was too lovely; it had her heart. ^ The singing of this beautiful hymn was the farewell to Mervin s woods, and after it the party returned homeward, and soon dispersed. Rosa and Kitty, with much feeling, thanked Mrs. Brown and aunt Russell for the great pleasure which they had given them. They in their turn, expressed their pleasure at the patient perseverance in teaching which the young girls had exhibited, and congratulated them upon its success. Kitty retired soon after her return, but she could not sleep, the moon shone 20 KITTY BROWN in SO brightly through her window. At length she rose and sat down for some time in the moon-light, in her night- dress. In recalling the events of this, to her, most delightful afternoon, she re- membered most vividly the music from the top of the rock. Now, when all alone and still, she liked better to think about those “Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood.” Still it seemed to her strange that aunt Nancy and Kosa could always be full of such thoughts. ‘‘There is certainly a difference be- tween Christians and other people,” said Kitty to herself. “ I wonder what makes it?” Kitty was beginning to think. BEGINNING TO THINK. 21 CHAPTER 11. THE SINtJING-SCHOOL. Sometimes strains of music are caught by the heart, and linger there long. A few strains of that hymn which was sung upon the rock in Mervin’s woods, produced this effect upon' Kitty. She even . found herself humming over this line — “ Stand dress’d in living green or this — “ There everlasting spring abides, And never- withering flowers.” At work or at play, she might be heard using them. Indeed she could not get them out of her mind. Aunt Russell had found the hymn for her, and she had committed it to memory; but the tune troubled her, for she could not get 22 KITTY BROWN it exactly right, and she wished to do so. She had an undefined impression that music is the employment of angels, and that if she could but sing hymns well, she should be making some advance to- ward piety. One day she came to her mother and expressed a strong desire to learn sacred music. Her mother did not fully un- derstand all the reasons why she wished to do so, but she was pleased with the request, and told her she would make inquiries and see if any one could he found to teach her. In truth, Kitty was beginning to feel anxious about herself. She was by no means sure that she was as . good as she ought to be, and her heart was busy de- vising plans which would help her to become a Christian without much trouble. Not long after this, Mrs. Powers (the lady at whose house the Maternal Asso- ciation met, when Kitty forgot her hymn and repeated a Bible verse,"^) called. * See “ Kitty and her Bible Verses.” BEGINNING TO THINK. 23 She was one who was always wishing to do something or other for the benefit of young people. She had incidently learn- ed that their minister had a young bro- ther with him, who was struggling through many difficulties and great po- verty to obtain an education. This young man, whose name was Henry Merwin, was a proficient in music, and the minister wished, if possible, to ob- tain a sufficient number of pupils to defray his expenses at the academy. Mrs. Powers thought that a class of young ladies and children might be formed for him, and very cheerfully offered them the use of her parlour for every Wednesday after- noon. She called on Mrs. Brown to in- quire what she thouglit of the plan, and if she would send Kitty. Young Mer- win was to teach only sacred music ; such was Mrs. Powers’ particular request. Mrs. Brown gladly fell in with the pro- posal. It was just such an opportunity as she had been desiring for Kitty. She said at once she would send her, and 24 KITTY BROWN also Tom and Ben Taylor, to an evening class in Miss Preston’s school-room, if one could be got up.” Mrs. Powers, much encouraged by this success, immediately went the rounds of the village to procure other scholars, never once thinking of the excessive heat, which kept almost every one else within doors. Away she walked, and briskly too, under the shade of her great green para- sol, so intent on doing good, that she entirely forgot to ask herself whether she was comfortable or not. Mrs. Powers seldom failed in a benevo- lent enterprise which she wms determined to accomplish. She obtained the two classes for young Merwin — one for even- ings, and the other for Wednesday afternoons; and the place of meeting for the latter was appointed in her own parlour. Kitty, as usual, was very impatient to have the Wednesday arrive, for she an- ticipated a great deal of pleasure in learning to sing hymns, and still cherish- BEGINNING TO THINK. 25 ed the secret feeling that, in some way, it was going to make it easier for her to be a Christian. On the appointed after- noon, an hour before the time, she went for Kosa Day, and found her, as she frequently did, busy with her needle. “Why, Kosa,” said she, “we shall cer- tainly be late — ^you are not dressed.” “ It is not time yet,” said Kosa, “ and I wanted very much to finish my skirt. One thing at a time, you know. There ! I shall be through now in five minutes, and dressed in five more.” Kitty sat down and watched Kosa’s fingers as they flew along the seam. How much you accomplish ?” said she. “I have to,” said Kosa, “and I am glad of it. It is better for me to be busy.” “ What are you doing now, pray?” “ Pulling out the bastings. Don’t you know Miss Preston says a seam is never done until it is rubbed open ?” “ Yes, but you are saving the basting threads !” 26 KITTY BROWN. ^^Why to be sure, they are just as good to use again ; don’t you save them?” ‘‘ No, indeed ! I never think of such a thing,” said Kitty. “ But come, hurry, Rosa, or we shall not get a good seat.’” Rosa hurried, to please Kitty, though she knew that it was quite unnecessary, and soon they reached Mrs. Powers’ house. Again were they shown into that parlour where they had attended maternal meetings. No bright fire shone on the hearth, and the place it had occu- pied was vailed with green gauze. In- stead of crackling logs, bunches of as- paragus occupied the chimney. A vase of pinks and roses stood on the mantel- shelf. The shutters were almost closed, and the room was cool and inviting to those who came in from the heat. A large table, filled with hymn-books, stood open in the centre of the room, and benches were placed around it. These benches were soon filled. Indeed, every seat was occupied before young Merwin BEGINNING TO THINK. 27 entered. He looked up, evidently much pleased, to Mrs. Powers, who was sit- ting in a rocking-chair, in the corner, greatly enjoying the success of the plan. ‘‘Yes, — all are here now,” said she; “ and I thought, as we are to sing only sacred music, it -would be appropriate for us to open with prayer. Will you lead in our devotions ?” The young man blushed, and hesitat- ed, and stammered. He was but little more than a boy, and though he prayed daily, yet it ‘ was in secret only. He felt therefore very painful embarrass- ment. Mrs. Powers saw it, and imme- diately kneeled herself and opened the singing-school with prayer, invoking the Divine blessing upon their efforts to learn the songs of Zion. To this prayer Kitty listened, and when, at its close, they were asked to follow Henry Merwin in a common, simple psalm-tune, she joined with all her heart, though she knew but little about it. He corrected mistakes, he trained wayward 28 KITTY BROWN voices, he gave a few simple lessons in time, and the hour appropriated was fast slipping away, when Mrs. Powers, who had been keeping a jealous eye upon the movements of the clock, interrupted his instructions. Mr. Merwin,” said she, the time is almost out, and I thought, considering the circumstances of some present, it would be proper for us to sing this hymn before parting.” She handed him a book, with the leaf turned down over the fol- lowing : — “When youth and age are snatch’d away By death’s resistless hand, Our hearts the mournful tribute pay, And bow at God’s command.” We will sing it, if you please, in the tune we have just been practising,” said Mr. Merwin. The pupils began to sing, but in low and melancholy tones. Kitty looked across the table. There sat two young girls dressed in deep black. Mrs. Powers had selected this hymn from a kind de- BEGINNING TO THINK. 29 sire to notice their affliction. As the class proceeded with it, the younger of the girls began to weep. Her sister, with quivering lips, shook her head at her, meaning by it that she must not give way to her feelings, while all the time tears were rolling fast down her own cheeks and dropping upon the table. Kitty’s sympathies were easily ex- cited, and she began to experience a choking sensation in her throat, which prevented her from singing. She was obliged to cease, and before she was aware of it, tear-drops were falling on her own book. The music seemed very dirge-like to her. She thought how she should feel if her mother were to die. She was very glad when the mournful hymn was finished, and was one of the first to seek the open air and the sun- shine. It seemed to her as if she had been in the midst of death, and she long- ed to look again upon life. The birds, the fiowers, the bright and beautiful green leaves and blooming clover 3* 30 KITTY BROWN comforted her. It was pleasant to her even to see the cows quietly grazing in the shade. She half thought she preferred the gentle tinkling of their bells to sacred music, for these seemed to speak of life, but the other of death. A feel- ing, which she could not express even to Rosa, came over her, that one thing we needed religion for was to prepare us to die; and that unless we were going to die soon, it is not of much consequence whether we are Christians or not. A sudden and strong connection between piety and an early death sprang up in her mind. That night she said her 2:^ayers somewhat hurriedly; and when she had placed her head on her pillow, tried to make pleasant plans for the morrow. She wished to live, not to die. If she became im pious she might die — so she would think of other things. The anxious inquiries of the thought- ful child are more appropriately met with a hymn, than with a dirge. BEGINNING TO THINK. 31 CHAPTER III. THE FUNERAL. A DEATH occurring in the neighbour- hood about this time strengthened this impression in Kitty’s mind. Josiah Emery sickened and died. He was a good boy, who loved his Sunday- school and Bible-lessons, and was gentle and amiable at play. As he was a distant relation of Eliza, (Kitty’s nurse,) she wished to attend his funeral, and asked Kitty to go with her. Kitty went to aunt Russell for permission, as her mother was out of town. Her aunt hesitated about granting it. She did not think it alto- gether advisable, in the state of Kitty’s mind, that she should go, but as she urged it very much, and said Rosa was going, her aunt at length gave her consent. The two girls and Eliza went together. 32 KITTY BROWN They walked up the back-road which led by Andy’s cottage. The windows of the old school-room were open, and the rose that loves the poor, and, without attention or reward, climbs gladly over their old houses — the cinnarmn-vo^Q — was flower- ing over those brown and crumbling sills. And there sat Andy, knitting. Kitty and Kosa wished to stop and speak to her, and take a peep at the room where they had passed so many pleasant hours, and also to pick a rose or two, but Eliza looked grave and said “ they must not stop when they were going to a fune- ral !” so they hurried past. The well-dressed neighbours who over- took them also looked grave, and every one was speaking of Josiah, and telling how good a boy he was, and what a great loss he would be to his family, and how true it was that death always nipped the pride of a home.” Kitty listened to all these remarks, making her own reflections upon them. She did not say this, but she felt that BEGINNING TO THINK. 33 death was a very cruel tyrant, and that it was unjust in God to let him have his way. Kosa had no such thoughts. She trusted God with every thing. She be- lieved that not even a little sparrow falls to the ground without his notice. She knew no one could die unless He permitted it ; and that if He did permit it, it was all right. No remarks of sympathizing, but unreflecting neigh- bours disturbed her faith for a moment. She ‘^hnew in whom she believed” — she had known Him long. How much hap- pier Kitty ’svould have been, could she have trusted God, too, as Rosa did. When our friends reached the house, they were, on Eliza’s account, shown into the mourner’s room. Here sat weeping relatives, dressed in deep black, many sobbing painfully. In the centre of the room stood a table, upon which the coffin had been placed. Kitty, trem- bling, sat down by Eliza. She thought there must be some mistake. She had often seen Josiah Emery, but he was 34 KITTY BROWN much shorter than that coffin. In a few minutes Eliza rose and went to look at him, and took Kitty with her. Kitty shuddered, for it was a pale, still, cold face in there, — one not at all like the ruddy face of J osiah Emery. She turned away sick at heart. “ Must we all come to this?” she asked herself “What a dreadful thing it is to die!” She went hack and nestled close by the side of Rosa, who had remained in her seat. Rosa was also thinking seri- ously, but yet she was not unhappy. She felt sorry for the weeping friends around her, but she knew that if Josiah was a Christian child, God had taken him, and that he was perfectly happy. In her mind she could follow him to heaven, and think of him as joining her own sweet sister, who had slept with Jesus, and was safe. Heaven seemed to her a most delightful place — almost as much so as if she really saw its crystal palaces, and heard those golden harps which BEGINNING TO THINK. 85 there, are never silent. To be in heaven with Christ, and free from sin, seemed to her worth dying for. The ‘^swelling flood” lost all its terrors to her, so full was her eye of the sweet fields beyond.” Thus, the sorrowing Kosa was also rejoicing, but Kitty was not. The sing- ing of the funeral hymn revived all her antipathy to dirges ; and when, at its close, the minister rose and gave a sketch of the life and virtues of the departed youth, and in a particular manner ad- dressed the young people, entreating them to follow his example, and early make their peace with God, that they too might be prepared to die as Josiah was, the feeling sprang up stronger than ever in Kitty’s mind, that just as cer- tainly as she did become a Christian, she should have to die. She was not ready to decide that she would never be a Christian ; for after all, she felt as if she did love God and wish to please Him, and she was afraid He would not be pleased with her unless she was a 36 KITTY BROWN Christian. At length she concluded that she would obey Him and do every thing He required as far as she was able without being really pious, and that by such a com- promise she should save herself from an early death, which she could not think of without shuddering. She had arrived at this conclusion by the time the last of the mourning party had left the house, slowly bearing with them the remains of him who had been its chief joy, but who would return to it no more. As Eliza did not intend going to the grave, she sat still with the girls until the procession^ ad turned from the lane into the street; and then taking each by the hand, she walked slowly homeward. No one talked much. Kitty was very glad to be out of doom’s once more. She thought she would never again go to a funeral ; it made her too unhappy. By- and-by she looked up in Rosa’s face, and was at once struck witl^ its expression. The sweet smile common to it was there, BEGINNING TO THINK 3T and she looked happy ; — the expression could not be mistaken, and this puzzled Kitty. She knew Rosa was a Christian, and this seemed to her just the reason why she should not have looked happy, for it was the very reason why she was in danger of dying young. Kitty did not know that Rosa had no such fear of death as she had; that to her it was not a terrible event, which was to tear her from every thing she enjoyed — it was simply going home, Rosa had not been unhappy at the fune- ral. She had felt unusually near to God, for she knew that in so important an event as death, God is very near to us. And now, when all was over, she was smiling, she scarcely knew why. Perhaps nothing would so well have explained the mystery as this verse : They shall be kept in jger- feet jgeace whose minds are stayed on Thee.” Had this explanation been given to Kitty, she would not have understood it. One must feel it to understand it. Kitty’s mind ^as not ‘‘ stayed on God.’” 4 88 KITTY BKOWN She thought she liked him, and wished to obey him, but this was all. Pretty soon they re-passed Andy’s cottage, and found her still sitting at her window, reading a tract. She put the tract down on the window-sill, and Eliza, as she reached in to shake hands with her, knocked a large bunch of roses over it. ‘“Oh, how sweet!” said Rosa, taking them up. “ Andy, may we have one ?” “Bless your little hearts, have them all if you want them,” said Andy.” Here she broke off the whole branch and handed it to Rosa. “ Thank you. It is yeiy beautiful,” said Rosa. “ Kitty, you shall have half. Let us press them when we go home and keep them to remember the old school-room by.” “ So we will,” said Kitty. “ See, it looks just as it used to, doesn’t it? What good times we have had here, and how . Benny used to dig our paths for us.” “ I hope you will come again another BEGINNING TO THINK. 39 winter,’’ said Andy. Them were good children yon had. They minded as I liked to see children mind.” Eliza soon walked on. Rosa began to explain to Kitty the process of pressing flowers, and from this they spoke of the school, and something brought up a blunder of one of the Scotts, which made Kitty laugh. Hush,” said Eliza, ^^you shouldn’t laugh, — didn’t you know you had been to a funeral?” Kitty’s laugh was checked, but Rosa’s was scarcely so; and she continued to talk quietly about the school and the pressed flowers, until they separated at , her gate. Then Kitty became silent, and her very grave and almost unhappy expres- sion returned. Aunt Russell observed this, and that night had some conversar tion with her, for she wished to see what impression had been left upon her mind by the events of the day. She became strengthened in her conviction that it is 40 KITTY BKOWN very important how the subject of death is brought before the mind of a child. She doubted the propriety of allowing one of Kitty's age and habits of thought to attend funerals indiscriminately; and felt that they ought never to go, except- ing in company with some judicious per- son, who would know how to make the right improvement of the solemn scene. She regretted having allowed her to go with Eliza. BEGINNING TO THINK. 41 CHAPTER lY. THE CHANT AT SENECA LAKE. The sad image of death could not be long effaced from Kitty’s mind. It tended much to increase her thoughtful- ness and general uneasiness. She was not satisfied unless she could accomplish these two things — (1) please God, and (2) please herself. At length she im- agined she had found out the way in which this could be done, and she be- came more cheerful. She resolved that she would be very exact and particular in the performance of all her religious duties, and consequently never neglected her prayers, and sometimes made very long ones, praying for almost everybody. She also learned her Sunday-school les- sons better than she had ever done be- fore, and tried to do as Rosa did when at school and with her companions. In 4* 42 KITTY BROWN short, she came, as she thought, just about as near to doing right as she could, without being so good that she might be considered in danger of death ! With this she was satisfied, and gave herself up to the pleasant occupations of her daily life with a new interest. Her conscience was tender, but at peace. One Saturday afternoon, she went in company with Kosa Day and Sarah Niles to a place called Seneca Lake. Ben Taylor also went with them, as they needed some one who could go out in the boat after pond-lilies. On arriving at the lake, they found another party had ^taken possession of the boat and were ^already out, and there was nothing left for them to do but to sit down on the shore and wait for their return. When the boys in the boat heard Ben Tajdor’s voice, they came and took him in, for he was a general favourite. They helped him gather lilies also, and he came back to the shore laden with his fragrant burden. Kitty danced about with joy, and BEGINNING TO THINK. 43 clapped her hands when she saw him, and she took her share of the lilies, and put their long stems in the water, that they might keep fresh. Then she and Sarah Niles went to hunt in the sand for green snails and bright smooth peb- bles, and Eosa sat on the bank watching them, and amusing herself by skipping stones on the water. Ben went out again with the boys to fish. Thus the afternoon passed quickly, and the young people began to think it was near tea-time. Eosa selected a bed of blue violets, as the most appropriate place to spread their repast. Sarah Niles and Kitty picked oak-leaves, and weaving them into dishes, which they ornamented with lilies, and at length, when all was ready, they had a table spread fit for a queen to sit at. The queen of the fairies would have been well pleased to have been invited, and the young people would also have been well pleased to invite ' her, but the trouble was they did not know where to 44 KITTY BROWN find her. Indeed, there was no queen or fairy either in all Seneca woods; though the honey-suckle and daisies were so alive with delight, it seemed as if some little joyous being must be hidden in them. When every thing was made ready for the treat, Rosa broke off a willow bough, tied her cape-bonnet on the end of it, and swung it in the air as a signal for Ben to return. She remembered that aunt Russell had recalled them in this way, when Charles Carpenter fell into the water. Ben saw it, and immediately rowed ashore. The boys who were with him were invited to land and take tea with them, but they felt rather shy, as they were wet and dirty, and declined, saying ^‘they had not yet caught all the fish they wanted.” Ben expressed great satisfaction when he saw the table which had been so tastefully spread, and gladly occupied one of those cushions of violets and moss, while they ate their supper. BEGINNING TO THINK. ^45 Kitty felt perfectly happy. She talked, she sung. Merry little songs she sung, with now and then snatches from Mo- ther Goose,” by way of chorus. Ben laughed heartily at her, and so did Kosa. After supper, Kitty and Sarah went down again to the beach, to pack their treasures in some such shape as would ena- ble them to carry them home. These trea- sures. were snail-shells, pebbles, flowers, moss, berries, young checkerberry leaves, and strips of birch-bark, on which they promised to write letters to each other. Rosa’s collection was more choice, con- sisting mostly of rare wild flowers which she wished to preserve. While arrang- ing these, she sat a little apart from the others, almost unconsciously humming to herself. By this time Kitty had worked off much of her animal spirits, and was be- coming silent. Ben had gone around on the other side of a rock to clean his fish. Sarah Niles was unusually quiet. Pretty soon, Rosa (apparently without knowing 46 KITTY BROWN it) ceased to hum, and broke forth into the chant — “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me — he leadeth me Beside the still waters.” Now, loud and clear rose her voice — and now it died away in tones soft and inex- pressibly sweet. Kitty’s attention was at once arrested. She dropped her peb- bles and turned to look at Kosa. ‘There she sat alone, arranging her flowers. Beyond her, where the sun went down, was a broad belt of burnished gold, which seemed to circle one of hea- ven’s gates. Kitty’s impressible mind was much excited. She felt as if she could almost glance beyond that gate, into heaven ; and that Kosa was almost an angel, — and yet Kosa was not an an- gel. She hoped she was a Christian. A sudden change took place in Kitty’s feelings. The dark image of death vanish- ed. To be a Christian was not to doom one’s-self to an early death, — it was to maimim to think. 47 be an angel. She wished to be one. Gathering up her collection in her sun- bonnet, she walked homeward with the others, almost silently. Her mind was busy with new and serious thoughts. She repeated many of her Bible-verses, for it seemed to her they were such as a Christian would love, and she now earnest- ly desired to be a Christian. Sure she was she had had a glimpse of heaven. Its golden gates and crystal palaces rose before her. To be among the holy ones who dwelt there, was not to die. She would strive to be holy. That night she sat for some time by her window, thinking,— for she was not ready to sleep. She watched the sha- dows as they flitted over the clover-fields, and thought that earth and heaven were alike beautiful, and that she should like to live in either if she were only holy ; and to be holy is to be a Christian. Kitty slid down from her chair, kneeled, and softly asked God to make her a Chris- tian, because she wished to be an angeh 48 KITTY BROWN After tins she went to sleep with a quiet feeling, thinking, that as she had asked, she certainly should obtain. Her mind was at rest. So was it also when she arose. She was not sure, but thought the mysterious change had taken place in her sleep ; but if it had not it must be approaching, and she had nothing more to do but to do as nearly right as she could, and wait for it. The chant which Eosa sang, ran in her head. At length she inquired of her, where she learned it ? Rosa told her it was frequently sung at Mrs. Powers’ Wednesday evening lecture, and she learned it there. Kitty said she would ask her mother to let her go to those evening-meetings that she might learn it also, and she did so. Her mother said she should go, and that she herself would go with her on the very next Wednesday evening, if they were alive and well. BEGINNINa TO THINK. 49 CHAPTER V. MISS NANCY JONES. On Wednesday, however, Mrs. Brown was ill in bed with a violent sick head- ache. Aunt Russell was not at home. Kitty was naturally disappointed. She feared she should not learn the chant. At length she crept into her mother’s darkened chamber and stood by the bed- side. After a while her mother turned over and saw her there. ^‘Do you wish for any thing, Kitty?” said she. 